Why Hair Loss Occurs?

We all know how important is our hair for being impressive. Today a lot of people, both men & women, concerns a great deal about their hair-style and condition of hair and spend a lot money on external products like shampoos, conditioners and undergo treatments in order to help it look its best and to keep hair healthy.  Among those, some would almost do anything to prevent further hair loss or to seek hair re-growth. 

Hence, before buying any product further or taking an appointment in hair clinics, let's find out how hair grows and why we experience hair fall.

Hair Growth Phases: 
Stem cells in our scalp are responsible for hair follicles and their growth.

Hair grows in cycles taking normally 3 to 7 years and passes through three transition phases-

Anagen -> This is the active phase. Hair growth occurs in this phase. The root of the hair divides rapidly adding to the shaft. This phase stays for 2-7 years.

Catagen-> It's a short transition phase. Hair growth ceases and a club is formed at the base. It last about 2 weeks.

Telogen-> Dormant or resting phase. No hair growth.

Causes of Hair Fall:

According to experts, much hair loss and baldness is related to genetics or heredity; however, other factors may play a role such as hormonal problems, poor nutrition, medication, chemotherapy and thyroid disease. A biochemical factor known as DHT plays a major role in hair loss and baldness. DHT stands for Dihydrotestosterone, an androgen. Male and female adults can lose hair as a consequence of changes in the metabolism of androgen in the body - men more commonly than women. When DHT gets to the hair follicles (dermal papilla), it blocks the absorption of vital nutrients required for healthy hair follicles. Hair follicles have resting and growing phases - without proper nutrition, their resting stages get longer while their growing phases get shorter resulting thinner hair and falling at the end.

How DHT gets into hair follicles?

DHT forms in scalp when a hormon called testosterone combines with an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. As we grow older, the secretion of 5-alpha-reductase increases (specially in crown area of scalp) resulting more DHT formation. On the other hand, hair follicles have many receptors of androgen. That’s why DHT gets deposited around hair follicles. Though we cannot change the genetic formation of human i.e. hormons, but we can control the enzymes. The good news is that it is possible to block DHT formation within the body using 5-alpha-Reductase Inhibitors- such as finasteride (1 mg) and Minoxidil. But one should use these inhibitors with caution. Natural inhibitors are- Salmon fish, Flax seed (Tisi), Goose berry (Amla), Terminalia Cebula (Harad or hilikha) etc.

Poor Nutrition: 

A deficiency of proper nutrition may also cause hair loss, dry hair or breakage. 91% of our hair is made of proteins. Hence protein rich foods are must for healthy hair. Moreover, high protein diets are good inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase. Our hair need vitamins too. Another factor of hair loss is due to iron deficiency or anemia. Women can quite frequently experience hair loss due to iron deficiency.

Medicinal Cause: 

Hair loss can also occur by excessive use of drugs such as antibiotics and steroids. So if you are experiencing hair fall, be careful while taking these medicines.

Thyroid malfunction: 

Any malfunction of the thyroid, hypothyroidism can lead to hair loss. The reasons is that the thyroid plays an important role in the regulation of active to resting hair phases and any disruption can damage the hair follicles.

Dirt: 
Another factor for possible hair loss may be due to dirt around hair roots.

Stress: 

Lastly, almost any major mental or physical stress even, including surgical trauma, high fever, chronic systemic illness and hemorrhage can cause hair loss. Such type of hair loss is termed as "telogen effluvium". It is due to disruption in the normal hair growth cycle.

There are a variety of pharmaceutical products that claim to promote hair growth and prevent thinning hair and help combat the causes of the hair loss.  Some, however, can cause dangerous side effects and often do not work.   It is always hard to know which products are the safe ones that actually do show results and it sometimes can take a lot of researching to find the right product. 

Another important thing to remember is that whatever methods we apply for stopping hair loss or regrowing, it may take time from 4 to 9 months, sometime even a year.

Comments & share are always welcome !!!  

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