Understanding Hair Loss and Baldness

For many, the mane is one’s crowning glory. Our hair is one of the most fascinating body features that we have. Not only because of its function as a barrier from external elements, but also due to its major contribution in one’s aesthetics and physical appeal. This is why once people start to lose their locks, they are definitely not happy. Baldness can be very cumbersome. And unfortunately, certain races are more likely to acquire the condition compared to others.

One of the most alarming consequences of aging is the thinning of the hair and eventual balding. However, age isn’t the only factor that causes baldness. Blame your parents for it, because by far, your genes are one of the primary reasons why hair loss occurs.

Growth and Shedding

The hair grows and sheds in a cycle. Hair strands grow from pits in the skin called follicles. As the cells at the base of the hair follicle divide, it pushes the hair shaft upwards causing the hair to grow at a rate of 1 centimeter each month. This stage of growth will last for several months to years. Then it will move to a resting phase for around 3 months. Eventually, the hair shaft will weaken starting from the base underneath to the surface of the skin. This will cause the hair to be easily detached during bathing, combing, or any kind of handling.

Normally, we shed about 50 to 100 hair in a day. But don’t fret because this is not really considered as a problem as our scalp may contain more than 100,000 hair strands that cut heat loss from the head and protect it from harmful rays of sunlight. Furthermore, new hair will also grow to replace the ones that were shed, and the whole cycle of hair growth and shedding starts all over again.

Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss occurs for a number of reasons, some of which can be managed if one has sufficient knowledge over it.

Genetics

Let’s face it. Some people are just born to inherit baldness. Our genes are said to play a major role in the development of alopecia or baldness especially in the case of androgenetic alopecia or what we call pattern balding. However, it was unclear which genes are involved until recently when researchers from the Bonn University Clinic and Dusseldorf University Clinic in Germany have discovered the identity of the culprits of baldness. The gene for the androgen receptor has been pointed out to be responsible why hair loss is inherited. Moreover, this gene is found on the X chromosome which is why the tendency to become bald can be inherited from the mother. However, experts say that the condition may also be caused by other genes that are not dependent on the sex of the parents. Research is still underway to identify such gene as well as the exact process on how it causes baldness.

Hormones

Studies have discovered that hair loss is highly related to androgens, hormones that are responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics. They have specifically directed at the high levels of the androgen, Dihydrotestosterone or (DHT) and the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase.

The hair needs proper nourishment for it to grow. In our scalp, there are plenty of blood capillaries that provide nutrition to the hair follicles. However, the scalp also has a lot of androgen receptors. As DHT reaches these receptors, it will prevent vitamins and minerals from reaching the follicles causing it to grow at a slower rate and making the hair to undergo follicular miniaturization or to grow weak, smaller, finer hair that is easily detached. DHT may also accumulate in the hair roots, eventually causing hair loss or pattern baldness.

Males have more androgenic receptors than females, which is why baldness is more common in men.

Age

Hair loss is a normal part of the aging process. Most cases of baldness occur naturally as people get older.
Drugs and Chemotherapy

Certain medications such as allopurinol, warfarin, oral contraceptives, antidepressants, chemotherapeutic drugs, high-blood pressure medications, and immunosuppressants are cited as the common causes of drug-induced alopecia. The chemicals in these medicines may interfere with the normal hair growth cycle by preventing hair cells from dividing normally and falling out too early. Hair loss, not only on the scalp but as well as the eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair, may occur within days to months after taking the medicine. Hair may grow back months later, however in most cases, the quality of the new hair may not be as good as the shed ones. For this reason, it is essential for health care providers to inform the patient of the side-effects of a certain medication.

Stress

Yes, physical and emotional stress may also cause hair-loss. Stress-induced alopecia causes large numbers of hairs to stop growing and remain dormant. In another mechanism, the white blood cells of a person may attack the roots of the hair follicle. Within a few months, the affected hair strands will eventually fall off. These scenarios may be quite alarming for anyone, hence, it is important to see your doctor about this. The good thing here is that hair will grow back once stress is resolved.

Infections and Medical Conditions

A host of diseases such as ringworm infection, lupus, thyroid disorders, anemia, cancer, pneumonia, syphilis, poor blood circulation, and adrenal gland tumors may have the unfortunate consequence of hair loss as they may interrupt the normal growth phase of the hair cycle.

Poor Diet

Our lifestyle may also have an impact on hair growth. People who consume very low amounts of protein or iron may run the risk of shedding more than the usual amount of hair strands. Excess vitamin A or D, selenium, and heavy metals may also produce hair loss. Hence, one should be very careful when taking vitamin supplements.

Environmental Factors and Hair Products

Pollutants and excessive hair products applied unto the hair may also cause hair breakage. But for as long as the hair follicle isn’t damaged, new hair will still be able to grow.

There are many ways to stop thinning hair and if you find it concerning you, there are things you can do about it.