Hair Loss Information

The Truth About Hair Loss


It is normal to shed hair every day and the truth is we loose between 100-125 hairs on any given day. Hair that is shed falls out at the end of growth cycle. At any given time 10% of our hair is in what is called a "resting phase" and after 2-3 months resting, hair falls out and new hair grows in its place. Some people, however, experience more hair loss than is normal.

As we get older, both men and women experience some hair loss. It's a normal part of the aging process. Called Androgenetic Alopecia, it accounts for 95% of all hair loss. Androgentic Alopecia often runs in families and affects some people more than others. In men it is often referred to as Male Pattern Baldness. It is characterized by a receding hair line and baldness on the top of head. Women, on the other hand, don't go entirely bald even if their hair loss is severe. Instead, hair loss is spread out evenly over their entire scalp.

Hormones play the dominant role when talking about Androgenetic Alopecia. Simple put, both men and women produce testosterone. Testosterone can be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with the aid of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT shrinks hair follicles causing the membranes in the scalp to thicken, become inelastic and restrict blood flow. This causes the hair follicles to atrophy. As a result, when a hair does fall out, it is not replaced.

Needless to say, men produce more testosterone than women and experience more hair loss.

While Androgenetic Alopecia is the number one reason why individuals experience hair loss, it is not the only one. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, ringworm and fungal infections can cause hair loss. Certain medications such as blood thinners, gout medication, birth control pills and too much vitamin A can cause sudden or abnormal hair loss as can following a crash diet, sudden hormonal changes, chemotherapy and radiation.

Emotional stress, pregnancy, or surgery can also cause our hair to fall out and is usually not noticed until 3-4 months after the stressful event has taken place. Stress can cause a slowing of new hair growth because a larger number of hair follicles enter into the resting phase and no new hair growth is experienced.

Another way in which individuals experience hair loss is due to mechanical stressors on the hair and scalp. Wearing pigtails, cornrows or tight rollers that end up pull on the hair can scar the scalp and cause permanent hair loss. Hair products such as hot oil treatments and chemicals used for permanents can cause inflammation to the hair follicles which can also result in scarring and hair loss.

Note: Hair loss may be the early warning sign of a more serious disorder such as lupus or diabetes, so it is important to talk to your doctor.

Recommendations For Wellness

If you are taking prescription medications, talk to your doctor and find out if your medication is contributing to your hair loss.

Avoid mega-doses of vitamin A. Too much vitamin A can cause your hair to fall out.

Exercise, do yoga, meditate or find some other practice that will help to reduce your anxiety and stress levels.

If you are a women, have your female hormones tested. If they are imbalanced, talk to your health care provider about bio-identical hormone replacements.

If you wear pigtails, cornrows, use a curling iron, hair dryer or hot rollers, try changing your hair style to one that puts less pressure and stress on your hair and scalp.

If hot oil treatments or chemicals such as those used in permanents are causing inflammation to the scalp, discontinue their use, or reduce the number of times you are using them.

Use gentle shampoos and conditioners to avoid any unnecessary damage to your hair.

In men, herbs such as saw palmetto and licorice root help block the formation of DHT. The same holds true for supplementation with zinc. As an added benefit, studies show that these supplements can also help prevent prostate enlargement.

Massage your scalp with rosemary oil in an olive oil base. Both rosemary oil and massaging the scalp can stimulate the circulation in the scalp and promote hair growth.

Again, if you are experiencing hair loss, check with your doctor to ensure that a more serious disorder isn't the cause.

© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2005. All rights reserved. Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. is the author of the books "Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4" and "The Power Within". It is it is her unique gift as a medical intuitive and clairvoyant that illuminates and enlivens her work. Let Dr. Louise help you bring health healing and wholeness back into your life. Medical Intuition & Energy Medicine Certification training classes are now forming. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com or call (972) 475-3393 for more information.


MORE RESOURCES:

New "Hair Loss & Replacement For Dummies" Book Offers Timely ...
MarketWatch (press release) - 13 hours ago
Hair Loss & Replacement For Dummies is replete with important information for men and women of virtually all ages anxious to preserve their full head of ...


Big Head, Bald Head- Is Hair Loss Caused by Skull Expansion?
PowerHomeBiz.com (press release) - 8 hours ago
Paul Taylor from Top Hair Loss Remedy.com spent seven years of independent research into androgenetic alopecia following concerns about his own hair loss. ...


Different Types of Natural Cure for Hair Loss
Meadow Free Press, ID - Jan 6, 2009
A natural cure for hair loss includes medicines and treatment products manufactured from natural resources, not those goods that are clinically manufactured ...


Reasons for Female Hair Loss and their Possible Treatments
PWO, France - Jan 6, 2009
Hair loss among men is an ordinary story but in case you don’t know, female hair loss is also a widespread problem. However, women are not as vocal as men ...


AFP

New Genetic Hair Loss Breakthrough
UKMedix Health News, UK - Jan 5, 2009
The big thing in the world of hair loss research at the moment is genes. Scientists have the located a number of genetic structures which appear in men and ...
Hair loss hope as key chemical found Metro
Possible cure for premature baldness is beautiful iTWire
Culprit gene behind childhood baldness found TheMedGuru
Scotsman - News-Medical.net
all 30 news articles


Hair Loss Treatments: If You’re Too Young To Look Old
PWO, France - Jan 5, 2009
And for some people, hair loss can begin even earlier, although in those cases and underlying disease or stress may be responsible. ...
Proficient and Commanding: FDA Approved Hair Loss Treatment PWO
all 2 news articles


Hair Loss Treatment for Man: Enumerating the Different Options
Meadow Free Press, ID - Jan 1, 2009
Since the cause of male pattern baldness is caused by a rise in DHT, the most effective hair loss treatment for man is the one with that focuses on blocking ...
Finding the Right Hair Loss Product PWO
all 2 news articles


AsiaOne

Mane concern
AsiaOne, Singapore - Jan 4, 2009
'You won't even lose your hair because we have some chemotherapy drugs that do not cause hair loss," I finally said. Only then did Madam Loh, ...


Helping those with hair loss Helping those with hair loss
Bellevue Reporter, WA - Dec 31, 2008
Her clientele include women, men and children who have experienced various degrees of hair loss due to genetics, trauma, or medical reasons such as illness ...


In Taiwan more women than men suffering hair loss: doctors
eTaiwan News, Taiwan - Dec 31, 2008
He added that physical and psychological stress can disrupt a person's immune system and destroy the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. ...

Hair-Loss - Google News

home | index |site map
© 2006