About Hair Loss

Androgenic alopecia is a genetic condition that can affect both men and women. In Men this condition is called Male Pattern Baldness. Men can begin suffering hair loss as early as their teens or early 20s. It is characterized by a receding hairline and gradual disappearance of hair from the crown and frontal scalp. In Women this condition is called Female Pattern Baldness. Women don't experience noticeable thinning until their 40s or later. They experience a general thinning over the entire scalp, with the most extensive hair loss at the crown.

Alopecia areata often starts suddenly and causes patchy hair loss in children and young adults. This condition may result in complete baldness (alopecia totalis). But in about 90% of people with the condition, the hair returns within a few years.

Alopecia universalis causes all body hair to fall out, including the eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair.

Involutional alopecia is a natural condition in which the hair gradually thins with age. More hair follicles go into the resting phase, and the remaining hairs become shorter and fewer in numbers.

Trichotillomania, seen most frequently in children, is a psychological disorder in which a person pulls out one's own hair.

Telogen effluvium is temporary hair thinning over the scalp that occurs because of changes in the growth cycle of hair. A large number of hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, causing hair shedding and subsequent thinning.

Scarring alopecias results in permanent loss of hair. Inflammatory skin conditions (cellulitis, folliculitis, acne), and other skin disorders often result in scars that destroy the ability of the hair to regenerate. Hot combs and hair too tightly woven and pulled can also result in permanent hair loss.

Hormones such as abnormal levels of androgens can cause hair loss. (male hormones normally produced by both men and women)

Genes from both male and female parents may influence a person's predisposition to male or female pattern baldness.

Stress, illness, and childbirth can cause temporary hair loss. Ringworm caused by a fungal infection can also cause hair loss.

Medication Drugs, including chemotherapy drugs used in cancer treatment, blood thinners, beta-adrenergic blockers used to control blood pressure, and birth control pills, can cause temporary hair loss.

Medical conditions like Thyroid disease, Lupus, Diabetes, Iron deficiency, anemia, eating disorders can cause hair loss. Most times, when the underlying condition is treated, the hair will return unless there is scarring as in some forms of lupus, lichen planus or follicular disorders.

Burns, injuries, and X-rays can cause temporary hair loss. In such cases, normal hair growth usually returns once the injury heals, unless a scar is produced. Then, hair will never regrow.

Autoimmune disease affects the hair follicles. In most cases the hair grows back, although it may temporarily be very thin and possibly a lighter color before normal coloration and thickness return.

Cosmetic procedures such as shampooing too often, perms, bleaching, and dyeing hair can contribute to overall hair thinning by making hair weak and brittle. Tight braiding, using rollers or hot curlers, and running hair picks through tight curls can also damage and break hair. However, these procedures don't cause baldness. In most instances hair grows back normally if the source of the problem is removed. Still, severe damage to the hair or scalp sometimes causes permanent bald patches.

Diet that has low-protein or is severely calorie-restricted can also cause temporary hair loss.