Hair Loss

Sep 6

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We see bald people everywhere. We see them on TV, in the neighborhood, and perhaps even in our household. We see some bald people living life normally like all others with a full head of hair. And we also see some bald people trying their best to hide their baldness from the public. Thus, they resort to wearing wigs or putting in hair extensions to look just like other people.

It is amazing to see that with a similar condition, we see diverse reactions from different people. This goes to show that there’s a lot more to this issue than what meets the eye. What we consider as petty might be crucial to others. And what we consider as just a normal hair loss might be actually something bigger, and deeper on the part of those who are actually experiencing it.

Hair loss, also known as baldness or alopecia is actually a set of disorders that pertain to a state of lacking hair where it would normally grow, particularly on the head. Baldness can take many forms, as discussed in the succeeding paragraphs, but the most common form of hair loss is the male pattern baldness or the adrogenic alopecia, which occurs in men as they come of age.

Understanding hair loss

We think we know so much about our hair but the fact that we have it since we were born does not mean we know everything about it. For instance, do we really know that we are losing roughly 100 hairs every day? Or are we aware that on average, our scalp can contain approximately 100,000 hair strands? Most of you must have only known that through this write up.

The Hair Cycle

This is a bit technical but this information can give us a background on what’s going on with our precious locks as they go through their own life cycle. The 100 hair strands that we lose every day are part of this hair cycle. That is just normal so there is no need to worry. However, excessive hair loss also exists and this affects not only men, but also women and children.

There are three phases of the hair cycle. These are the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases. Regrowth.com has an in-depth article discussing this issue and the different things that happen during each phase.

Types of hair loss

Just what are the diffeposrent types of hair loss?

There are various types that exist. Most of these are actually ailments brought about by certain factors. These are enumerated below.

Male pattern baldness - This is the most common form of hair loss. This is characterized by hair receding from the lateral sides of the forehead known as receding hairline. Also known as androgenic alopecia, this form of hair loss is caused by a powerful sex hormone called DHT.

Female pattern baldness - This is a type of hair loss that involves thinning throughout the scalp while the frontal hairline remains intact. This is believed to have been caused by a decrease in estrogen, which is normally found in women’s blood.

Alopecia Universalis – This is a type of hair loss that is characterized by a total loss of body hair. The person ends up totally hairless from head down to toes. This is believed to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, and is caused by the “hairless” gene.

Alopecia Totalis – This is not as extensive as Universalis. But there is still complete scalp hair loss. This disease though, does not affect other areas of the body.

Alopecia Areata – This refers to a patchy hair loss on the scalp. The hair just stops growing and then falls out from the roots. There hair loss is sudden and enlargement of patches transpire. Though new hair may grow back, but the patches don’t behave uniformly. One patch can be falling out while another patch is regrowing.

Traction alopecia - This is caused by chronic traction (pulling) on the hair follicle and is seen most commonly in African-American females associated with tight braiding or cornrow hairstyles.

Scarring alopecia – This is hair loss due to scarring of the scalp. The scarring can be due to a variety of causes.

Trichotillomania – This refers to habitual, compulsive plucking of hair from the scalp or other hair-bearing areas. Continual plucking of scalp hair will result in a bald spot.

Triangular Alopecia – This is characterized by thinning or complete loss of hair in the scalp area around the temples.

Telogen Effluvium – This pertains to hair loss that is caused when a large percentage of scalp hair follicles are shifted into the telogen (shedding) phase of the hair growth cycle.

Loose-Anagen Syndrome – A type of hair loss that occurs during the anagen (growth) phase. In this stage, scalp hairs sit so loosely in the follicles from which they grow that they can be easily extracted by combing or brushing.

Causes of hair loss

Aside from the causes mentioned above, one or a combination of these factors can also cause hair loss.
- Hormonal changes
- Medication such as cancer chemotherapy
- Excessive shampooing and blow-drying
- Emotional or physical stress
- Burns or radiation therapy
Familydoctor.org also gives out important details about the causes of hair loss.

Effects of hair loss

Though the effects of hair loss are wide ranging and are dependent on the sufferer, they are mostly psychological.

While some people who suffer from hair loss have accepted their fate gracefully, and have gone on living normal lives, others take their baldness seriously. Studies show that low self-confidence and self-esteem are the usual effects of hair loss. Moreover, those who suffer from baldness at a young age are the most vulnerable victims of this psychological dilemma.

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery provides a very good article that gives helpful information regarding this issue.

What can be done about the condition?

There are plenty of hair loss treatments available. However, due to the diversity of these treatments, the discussion needs to be postponed on the next entry. Stay tuned for the second part of this issue.

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