Every 7 out of 10 people suffer from hair-related issues nowadays. And there are lots of questions in their minds. “What is Alopecia? Why am I losing hair? What are the causes of hair loss? How should I prevent it? What are the different ways to treat hair loss? Etc. etc…” A lack of knowledge, in this case, might impose more severe problems. If you are not aware of your disease, it will be difficult for you to take the preventive measures on time.
So here we are, with the answers to your varied and significant queries. Below, you can find everything you ever wanted to know regarding your hair loss problems.
Alopecia is actually the medical name given to hair loss. An average adult head has about 100,000 – 150,000 hairs and loses up to 100 of them a day. At any time, only 90% of hair is growing and the other 10% are in the dormant phase. After some months these dormant hair falls out and follicles begin to grow again. This is a normal life cycle of every hair.
But, if you lose more than 100 hairs on a daily basis or notice bald spots, it could be a cause for alarm. This may imply that you are suffering from Alopecia.
“Pattern hair loss or Alopecia by the age of 50, affects about half of males and a quarter of females.”
Causes of Hair Loss can be broadly classified into 2 categories i.e. Scarring Alopecia and Non-Scarring Alopecia.
Scarring Alopecia, also known as Cicatricial Alopecia, is characterized by permanent damage of hair roots and adjacent skin. It can result from mechanical injury, burn, radiation, or skin diseases such as lichen planopilaris, discoid lupus erythematosus, etc. In such cases, there is no chance of hair growing back over these particular sites with any medications. So, a hair transplant might be a good option in such cases.
Mechanical Injury
Burn
Radiation
Skin Diseases
Non-scarring alopecia is simply the loss of hair without the presence of any scarring on the scalp. The hair root is preserved and regrowth of hair in bald areas can be expected in such a case. It is also known as ‘Non-cicatricial Alopecia’. The most commonly encountered causes of non-scarring hair loss are Androgenetic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata.
Androgentic Alopecia
Alopecia Areata
Telogen Effluvium
Anagen Effluvium
Traction Alopecia
Trichotillomania
This is the most common cause of hair loss. In androgenetic alopecia, thick hairs gradually become thin and short because of hair thinning caused by a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) hormone. This hormone gradually damages hair-producing cells and hair becomes progressively smaller and thin, in what is called “miniaturization”. When the entire hair-producing cells are damaged, no hair is produced from that site and eventually, a gap is seen. When this involves a larger area, a bald spot is seen. People who have a family history of such baldness are more prone to balding induced by the DHT hormone.
It is also called “pattern hair loss” because hair loss follows a particular pattern. Males tend to lose hair in the front, crown, and middle part of the scalp but retain hair at the sides and back of the scalp. The hair present in these areas is resistant to damage by the hormone dihydrotestosterone and therefore it is often referred to as the “permanent zone.”
In females, there is gradual widening of the central parting preserving the frontal hairline. Unlike males, with time, it involves the back and side of the scalp more frequently resulting in diffuse hair thinning.
The Norwood scale helps classify crown balding stages, or the stages of male pattern hair loss, on a scale of 1 to 7
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease. It is a condition where patients’ own immune system erroneously attacks and destroys hair follicles. It presents as smooth circular round to oval patches of hair loss over the scalp, beard, eyebrows etc. It may even lead to complete loss of scalp hair known as Alopecia Totalis and hair loss from all body sites called Alopecia Universalis (AU).
Telogen effluvium is a condition of abrupt severe hair fall occurring after 3-6 months of a triggering event or stressor. Even if the stressor is removed, hair loss continues for next 2-6 months. But if it is not, then hair fall may be continuous. Various identified stressors which may cause telogen effluvium are – after delivery of child, anemia, thyroid disorders, nutritional deficiencies, surgical procedure, road traffic accident, emotional problem etc.
Anagen Effluvium is a condition that causes hair to no longer actively grow despite being in the growing state called anagen. It is majorly seen in cancer patients who are on anti-cancer drugs. These drugs act on growing hair and cause them to fall. This type of hair loss is completely or partially reversible once the medications and therapies (such as chemotherapy and radiation treatment) causing hair loss is ceased completely.
Traction Alopecia is generally faced by the people who wear tight hairstyles such as ponytails, braids, pigtails etc. Repeated pulling of hair causes mechanical damage to hair follicles. However, it is characterized by the recession of hairline or gradual disappearance of hair that’s been pulled.
Trichotillomania is a psychological condition characterized by the irresistible urge to pull out one’s hair, leading to noticeable hair loss. This compulsive behavior often affects the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes, though it can occur on any part of the body. The condition is commonly linked to stress, anxiety, or other underlying mental health issues. Unlike other forms of hair loss, trichotillomania is self-induced, and the hair may regrow if the behavior is successfully managed or stopped. Treatment typically involves behavioral therapy and, in some cases, medication to address the underlying causes.