Causes of Excessive Hair Loss

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Hair Loss Cause

Improper Hair Cosmetic Use/Improper Hair Care - Many men and women use chemical treatments on their hair, including dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners, and permanent waves. These treatments rarely damage hair if they are done correctly. However, the hair can become weak and break if any of these chemicals are used too often. Hair can also break if the solution is left on too long, if two procedures are done on the same day, or if bleach is applied to previously bleached hair. If hair becomes brittle from chemical treatments, it's best to stop until the hair has grown out.

Hairstyles that pull on the hair, like ponytails and braids, should not be pulled tightly and should be alternated with looser hairstyles. The constant pull causes some hair loss, especially along the sides of the scalp.

Shampooing, combing and brushing too often, can also damage hair, causing it to break. Using a cream rinse or conditioner after shampooing will make it more manageable and easier to comb. When hair is wet, it is more fragile, so vigorous rubbing with a towel, and rough combing and brushing should be avoided. Don't follow the old rule of 100 brush strokes a day-that damages hair. Instead, use wide toothed combs and brushes with smooth tips.

There are many possible causes of hair loss, however most hair loss is normal and part of each person's individual genetic makeup. We hope the following information will help you better understand your hairloss and options for treatment.

Normal Hair Loss

We all lose hair everyday. Hair grows for a period of time, usually 2 to 6 years, and then the follicles shed the hair and go into a resting stage for approximately 3 months, then a new hair growth cycle begins. It is normal to lose between 50 to 150 hairs per day from normal shedding.

Pattern Hair Loss

Androgenetic alopecia is the scientific name for the genetic predisposition in both men and women for pattern baldness. Pattern hair loss in men is often referred to as male pattern baldness (MPB) . Androgenetic alopecia is the cause of over 95% of all pattern hair loss, including baldness in men and thinning hair in women. Pattern hair loss occurs in somewhat predictable stages, and is relentlessly progressive. Usually the earlier in life pattern hair loss begins the more advanced the pattern will ultimately become. Studies have shown that pattern loss is increasingly evident and advanced as people age.

Typical progression of male pattern baldness

In MPB the hairs on the top of the scalp have a genetic sensitivity to the male hormone testosterone (DHT). The hairs on the sides and back of the scalp do not possess this genetic trait and therefore are not
affected. For this reason hairs removed from the sides and the back (donor hair) will maintain their genetic predisposition when transplanted and continue to grow when moved to the top of the scalp where hair loss has occurred

Patchy Hair Loss

Alopecia areata is an immune system disorder, which causes hair follicles to stop producing hairs. Sudden loss of hair from small patches on the head is a common symptom. Advanced forms of the disorder include Alopecia Totalis, where all hair on the head is lost, and Alopecia Universalis, which results in the absence of all body hair

Hair Pulling

Traction alopecia is the loss of hair from constant pulling, often the result of tightly braided hairstyles and hair weaves.

Delayed Loss from Stress

Telogen effluvium is a slowing of new hair growth resulting from sudden severe stress, followed by a delayed shedding of hair. The stress induces a high proportion of follicles to enter the resting stage, and a few months after the stressful event, all of the resting follicles begin to shed hairs at about the same time.

Sudden Hair Loss

Anagen effluvium is the sudden loss of growing hairs as a result of chemicals or radiation. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy halt the growth phase of hair follicles, and result in the sudden shedding of hair. Some medications (i.e.; diuretics, blood thinners, acne medications and birth control pills.) can also cause hair loss as a side
effect.

Broken Hairs

Hair shaft breakage is when part of a hair breaks off, but the growing end remains in the follicle and continues to grow. Hair shaft breakage results in thinner hair, and can be caused by excessive styling, chemicals, sun, and chlorine in swimming pools.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies are rarely a cause of hair loss. In rare cases certain nutritional deficiencies can cause weak hair shafts
that tend to break off.

Other Hair Loss Causes

Certain chronic illnesses can result in hair loss. Hormone-related irregularities can include hair loss among other symptoms. Skin infections can also result in hair loss that is usually not permanent. Trauma, such as burns and injury to hair follicles however, can cause permanent hair loss.

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