Why you are losing hair is a question we will answer in this blog. On average, one loses around 50 to 100 hairs per day, this is due to a natural circle. The hair growth circle consists of three main phases, which will be discussed below. In addition, we will talk about the causes of hair loss, types of hair loss and the symptoms. We will end with advice and the right treatment for your hair problem.
Hair growth cycle
Hair growth takes place in a cycle. This means that your hair goes through several stages during its growth and these stages repeat itself after the hair falls off. The first phase a hair goes through is the anagen phase. This is the phase in which the hair grows. On average hair grows one centimetre per month during this phase. This phase lasts 3 to 5 years.
After this phase, the hair enters the transition and (catagen) phase. In this phase the hair growth stops. This phase lasts around two weeks. After this phase the telogen phase (resting phase) appears. This phase lasts between three and five months and the hair becomes duller and falls out. A new hair grows in the same follicle at the same moment.
Hairs always grows from the same hair follicles, which are already present at birth. The number of hair follicles on the scalp varies from person to person. On average, there are between 85,000 and 140,000 hair follicles on your head depending on hereditary. Normally up to four hairs can grow from the same hair follicle.
Causes for hair loss
Hair loss usually isn't noticeable because new hair is growing in at the same time. Hair loss occurs when new hair doesn't replace the hair that has fallen out or when lots of hair fall out at the same time. There are different causes for hair loss, which we summoned below:
- Hereditary; The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness.
- Hormonal changes; A variety of conditions can cause permanent or temporary hair loss, including hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and thyroid problems.
- Medical conditions; alopecia areata is a condition, in which the immune-system causes patchy hair loss and scalp infections.
- Medications and supplements; Hair loss can be a side effect of certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout and high blood pressure.
- Radiation therapy; with radiation therapy there is a chance your hair will never grow back. You often need a doctors or dermatologists opinion on your situation.
- Stress/hairstyles; Many people experience a general thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock. This type of hair loss is temporary and is not really an cause for excessive hair fall. With tight hairstyles, such as pigtails and cornrows, also excessive hair loss is not really the case but your hair can be pulled out. This is called traction alopecia.
Types and symptoms of hair loss
- Androgenic alopecia; is the most common type of hair loss, affecting up to 50 percent of the people. This type of hair loss is among men often due to hereditary. For women it often occurs around menopause. In men, the hair loss is first visible in the front hairline and the hairline at the temples, as well as at the top and the crown. Usually, the hair above the ears continues to grow backwards. However, your entire skull can become completely bald over time. In women, however, it takes place much more evenly. However, the hairline often remains intact.
- Alopecia areata; is an autoimmune condition that causes your immune system to attack the hair follicles. This results into bald patches in your hair, that can range from small to large. In addition to losing hair on the scalp, some people with alopecia areata lose hair from their eyebrows, eyelashes or other parts of the body.
- Anagen effluvium; is a rapid loss of your hair. This happens after chemotherapy or a radiation treatment. It is due to an acute injury to the hair follicles by an endogenous or exogenous cause, resulting in sudden diffuse shedding of structurally damaged hairs.
Other types and symptoms of hair loss
- Telogen effluvium; is a type of sudden hair loss that results from not using the right products, stress, hormonal changes or an illness.
- Tinea capitis; is a fungal infection that can affect the scalp and the hair shaft. It causes small bald patches that are scaly and itchy, also brittle hair breaks easy, the scalp is tender and the patches look red or grey.
- Traction alopecia; is a condition that is the result of too much pressure and tension of the hair, often from wearing tight styles like braids, buns and ponytails.
- Lichen planopilaris; is a variant of lichen planus in which a perifollicular infiltrate affects and ultimately destroys the hair follicles. It is usually on the hairy head and is the main cause of cicatricial alopecia. It mainly occurs in women and not in children. Lichen planopilaris causes skin around the hair follicles to turn red and the rest of the scalp light purple.
Treatments against hair loss
For the different types of hair loss there are different treatments:
- For Alopecia Areata a special treatment is formulated by Neofollics and dermatologists. Although the cause of Alopecia Areata can´t be treated you can stimulate the new hair growth. The Alopecia Areata treatment tackles the patchy baldness and will improve the overall condition of the hair.
We recommend a powerful combination of 4 products that reinforce each other’s effect. With this you tackle Alopecia Areata both from the outside and from the inside. It consists out of shampoo, tablets, lotions and a scalp roller.
- For Androgenetic Alopecia the designed treatment, tackles patchy baldness and improves the overall condition of the hair, by inhibiting the production of DHT. The treatment Alopecia Androgenetica consists of the Neofollics Shampoo, Tablets, Lotion and the scalp roller.
- The treatment Telogen Effluvium is suitable for anyone who suffers from Telogen Effluvium. The Telogen Effluvium treatment tackles hair loss due to stress and will improve the overall condition of the hair. We recommend a powerful combination of 3 products that enhance each other’s effect. The Telogen Effluvium treatment consists of the Neofollics Shampoo, Conditioner and Tablets.
Conclusion
You can lose your hair due to various factors. It is important to understand your own condition and what you can do about it. Using a suggested treatment by dermatologists can be an excellent solution to your hair loss problem.
