What Causes Hair Loss?

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What Causes Hair Loss?

Hair loss is a very common and often serious problem, one that affects men and women around the world. Its causes are a great many things which we sometimes take for granted in our everyday lives.

Typically, the growth phase lasts two to three years with the hair growing just less than 1/2 inch a month and the resting phase lasts three to four months. It is at the end of the resting phase that a hair strand falls out and a new hair begins to grow in its place. The growth stage begins again once a hair is shed.

Most individuals normally shed between 50-100 hair strands a day. The amount of hair lost depends largely on how many strands of hair have reached their peak in the growth cycle.

Aging

Gradual hair loss is normally a part of the aging process. However, hair loss may lead to baldness when the rate of shedding exceeds the rate of re-growth, or when new hair is thinner than the hair shed or when hair comes out in patches.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal imbalance is another reason of hair loss in women -- usually temporarily. This hormonal imbalance could be due to a woman getting pregnant, is having a baby, having thyroid problems, and or going through menopause. Hair loss is delayed by three months following the changes in hormones and could take another three months for a new hair to grow.

During pregnancy, you can expect to have a nice and thicker set of hair. However, about three months after delivery, it is common to lose more hair than normal. Hair loss can be stopped once hormone imbalance is corrected.

Hair Treatments, Beauty Products and Hair Styling

What causes hair loss for some women can also be their hairstyle and hair care products. Tight ponytail is one of the most common reasons for hair loss in women. If the excessive pulling is stopped before there is a permanent damage or scarring of the scalp, hair can usually grow back.

Hair care products and treatments might also be what cause hair loss because they can contain chemicals that can irritate the scalp resulting in a rash, inflammation and scarring leading to hair loss.

Genetics, Head Injuries, Disorders and Others

Some people are genetically predisposed to developing male pattern or female pattern baldness.
Permanent hair loss can occur after scarring to the scalp from head wounds or inflammation that can be seen in several skin conditions, including lupus erythematous.
Individuals with autoimmune disorders can develop hair loss.
Changes in normal hair cycle as a result of physical or emotional stress.
Certain medications for depression, arthritis, high blood pressure can cause hair loss in some people. Birth control pills may also cause hair loss in some women.
Chemotherapy or radiation treatment - hair typically grows back after treatments end.
Scalp Infection such as ringworm can cause hair loss. Hair grows back when scalp health is restored after infection is treated.
Hair pulling disorder - a mental illness in which a person has uncontrollable urge to pull out his or her hair, whether it's from the scalp, eyebrows or other parts of the body.
Eating disorders and poor nutrition - having insufficient amount of protein and iron in your diet.

What causes hair loss can be varied and complex. If you suspect your hair loss is excessive do not hesitate to visit a doctor knowledgeable in this field.

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