The Truth About Hair Loss

It is normal to shed hair every day and the truth is we loose between 100-125 hairs on any given day. Hair that is shed falls out at the end of growth cycle. At any given time 10% of our hair is in what is called a "resting phase" and after 2-3 months resting, hair falls out and new hair grows in its place. Some people, however, experience more hair loss than is normal.

As we get older, both men and women experience some hair loss. It's a normal part of the aging process. Called Androgenetic Alopecia, it accounts for 95% of all hair loss. Androgentic Alopecia often runs in families and affects some people more than others. In men it is often referred to as Male Pattern Baldness. It is characterized by a receding hair line and baldness on the top of head. Women, on the other hand, don't go entirely bald even if their hair loss is severe. Instead, hair loss is spread out evenly over their entire scalp.

Hormones play the dominant role when talking about Androgenetic Alopecia. Simple put, both men and women produce testosterone. Testosterone can be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with the aid of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT shrinks hair follicles causing the membranes in the scalp to thicken, become inelastic and restrict blood flow. This causes the hair follicles to atrophy. As a result, when a hair does fall out, it is not replaced.

Needless to say, men produce more testosterone than women and experience more hair loss.

While Androgenetic Alopecia is the number one reason why individuals experience hair loss, it is not the only one. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, ringworm and fungal infections can cause hair loss. Certain medications such as blood thinners, gout medication, birth control pills and too much vitamin A can cause sudden or abnormal hair loss as can following a crash diet, sudden hormonal changes, chemotherapy and radiation.

Emotional stress, pregnancy, or surgery can also cause our hair to fall out and is usually not noticed until 3-4 months after the stressful event has taken place. Stress can cause a slowing of new hair growth because a larger number of hair follicles enter into the resting phase and no new hair growth is experienced.

Another way in which individuals experience hair loss is due to mechanical stressors on the hair and scalp. Wearing pigtails, cornrows or tight rollers that end up pull on the hair can scar the scalp and cause permanent hair loss. Hair products such as hot oil treatments and chemicals used for permanents can cause inflammation to the hair follicles which can also result in scarring and hair loss.

Note: Hair loss may be the early warning sign of a more serious disorder such as lupus or diabetes, so it is important to talk to your doctor.

Recommendations For Wellness

If you are taking prescription medications, talk to your doctor and find out if your medication is contributing to your hair loss.

Avoid mega-doses of vitamin A. Too much vitamin A can cause your hair to fall out.

Exercise, do yoga, meditate or find some other practice that will help to reduce your anxiety and stress levels.

If you are a women, have your female hormones tested. If they are imbalanced, talk to your health care provider about bio-identical hormone replacements.

If you wear pigtails, cornrows, use a curling iron, hair dryer or hot rollers, try changing your hair style to one that puts less pressure and stress on your hair and scalp.

If hot oil treatments or chemicals such as those used in permanents are causing inflammation to the scalp, discontinue their use, or reduce the number of times you are using them.

Use gentle shampoos and conditioners to avoid any unnecessary damage to your hair.

In men, herbs such as saw palmetto and licorice root help block the formation of DHT. The same holds true for supplementation with zinc. As an added benefit, studies show that these supplements can also help prevent prostate enlargement.

Massage your scalp with rosemary oil in an olive oil base. Both rosemary oil and massaging the scalp can stimulate the circulation in the scalp and promote hair growth.

Again, if you are experiencing hair loss, check with your doctor to ensure that a more serious disorder isn't the cause.

© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2005. All rights reserved. Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. is the author of the books "Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4" and "The Power Within". It is it is her unique gift as a medical intuitive and clairvoyant that illuminates and enlivens her work. Let Dr. Louise help you bring health healing and wholeness back into your life. Medical Intuition & Energy Medicine Certification training classes are now forming. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com or call (972) 475-3393 for more information.

---

A Better Understanding Of Laser Hair Removal In 5 Minutes

Men and women from all walks of life are turning... Read More

Help for Alopecia:The Story of Locks of Love

There are many companies who make custom fitted real hair... Read More

Hair 101

The more you know about your hair, the better you... Read More

Laser Hair Removal Facts

If you are reading this, you are probably wandering in... Read More

Are Your Searching In Vain For The Causes of Hair Loss?

Trying to find out what causes hair to fall out... Read More

Hair Removal Does It Get Better Than Tweezers and Wax?

There are several accepted methods of hair removal but many... Read More

The Main Causes Of Hair Loss In Women

When you think of hair loss it's natural to assume... Read More

Common Hair Mistakes

1. NOT TRIMMING YOUR HAIR EVERY 6 WEEKS.The tip of... Read More

Several Tips to Stop Baldness

Technically known as alopecia, baldness means thinning or loss of... Read More

The Truth About Hair Loss

It is normal to shed hair every day and the... Read More

After WLS: Silica Vitamin Helps Slow Hair Loss

The question of hair loss comes up all the time... Read More

Finding Hair Loss Treatments That Fit Within Your Budget

Hair loss treatments can be very expensive and although most... Read More

Easy Natural Remedies For Hair Loss

There is again no sure-fire way to prevent all hair... Read More

Finding Information On Different Hair Growth Systems

Many people who experience balding or thinning hair often search... Read More

What Condition Is Your Hair In?

Our hair can be categorized in three different ways:HealthyDryDamagedCharacteristics of... Read More

Why Don?t We Hear So Much About Female Baldness?

Female baldness is not as common as male baldness, which... Read More

What?s All The Fuss About Hair Growth Products?

If you are losing your hair and you are afraid... Read More

Causes of Hair Loss

The normal cycle of hair growth and loss means that... Read More

The Truth About Hair Loss

Male Pattern BaldnessOn average, there are 90,000 to 150,000 hairs... Read More

Permanent Hair Removal ? A Growing Problem

The nature of hair is to grow. That's why laser... Read More

Hair Transplant Surgery ? Do You Need It, Do You Want It?

Hair transplant surgery is very common these days. As hair... Read More

Hair Loss Solutions - How to Help Stop Hair Loss and Regrow Hair

Hair loss and male-pattern baldness is an affliction suffered by... Read More

Are Hair Loss Treatments Just One Big Scam?

The hair loss industry is not one that inspires great... Read More

Waxing Instructions -- Waxing with Soft Wax

Waxing is the one of the best, oldest and most... Read More

Herbal Hair Loss Remedies For External Use

In a separate article in this series we looked at... Read More