10 Main Causes for Hair Loss
Posted on 7th September 2018 at 12:01
There are many different reasons for hair loss and it can affect everybody at some stage in their life. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications. We have listed 10 of the most common cause of hair loss:
1. Male pattern baldness
The leading cause of hair loss is one that we can’t do much about and it is male pattern baldness, medically known as androgenetic alopecia, refers to hair thinning in an “M-shaped" pattern that is typically mentioned when men talk about balding.
Thinning hair appears over time as the hair follicles change and shrink. While many treatments are available, they aren’t guaranteed to work and most only slow progression, although some can lead to hair regrowth and are not permanent solutions for hair loss.
2. Stress
Severe physical stress or severe psychological stress can have many different effects on the body. Severe stress often sends the body into a state of shock, flooding it with various hormones and metabolites. This may lead to telogen effluvium, a shedding of the hair. While the effects of acute stress on hair are well-understood, what isn’t as clear is how chronic or long-term stress affects hair loss.
3. Vitamin/Mineral deficiency
Whether it’s because of a crash diet, general malnutrition or some genetic or biological defect, deficiencies in certain nutrients can cause hair loss. Probably the most common deficiency thought to contribute to hair loss is iron.
Being severely low in iron can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, a condition that causes the body not to have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells are important because they carry oxygen to nearly every cell in the body, helping those cells maintain normal function. Deficiencies in other nutrients -- such as vitamin B (specifically B12) and protein are thought to contribute to hair loss as well.
4. Medication
It is well known that chemotherapy drugs can lead to hair loss, but there are, in fact, dozens of other drugs that might cause hair to fall out. These include anti-thyroid medications, hormonal therapies, anti-convulsants, anti-coagulants, beta-blockers and many others.
These medications tend to cause telogen effluvium, a rapid shedding of the hair which arises when a large number of hairs suddenly shift from a growth phase (anagen) to a resting phase (telogen) and then fall out when new hairs begin to grow.
5. Chemotherapy
Cancer cells typically divide and grow faster than the body’s healthy cells. This is what allows chemotherapy to be so effective in stopping cancer, by targeting cells that grow rapidly. Unfortunately, there are other cells in the body that grow rapidly as well, like those in hair follicles! While there are cancer myths out there, experiencing near-total hair loss after chemotherapy isn't one of them.
The loss could be gradual or dramatic, depending on the type of drug, but the end result is usually the same. Thankfully, the hair usually grows back!
6. Infection
Although a number of infections can lead to hair loss, probably the most common infection that affects the scalp and hair is ringworm, it is caused by a fungus.
Tinea capitis, as it’s more scientifically known, is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes that thrive in warm, moist conditions and typically arise due to poor hygiene. While it affects mostly children, it can be caught at any age is highly contagious!
7. Autoimmune disease
If you have diabetes or have to deal with arthritis, you've already been dealing with autoimmune diseases that arise when the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.
When the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles or other cells or tissues important to hair growth and maintenance, it can result in hair loss of various kinds including cicatricial alopecia - form of permanent hair loss and telogen effluvium, which occurs when hair's growth cycle is disrupted.
8. Hypothyroidism
The thyroid is a small gland located in the front of the neck just below the voice box. It plays an important role in regulating the body’s metabolism through the release of various hormones. Hypothyroidism is an underproduction of certain hormones and is the most common cause of patchy hair loss known as alopecia areata, which can affect the whole body and not just the head. Hypothyroidism itself is caused by birth abnormalities, autoimmune diseases or surgery involving the removal of the thyroid.
9. Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is the name given to the habitual plucking or pulling of the hair from the head or other parts of the body. While it’s still unclear whether trichotillomania should be classified as a habit or as anobsessive-compulsive disorder, the end result is the same.
Over time, a bald spot will develop. If the habit stops, hair will typically regrow, but with excessive and long-term trichotillomania, scarring of the scalp can result, leading to permanent hair loss in the affected location!
10. Tight pulled-back hair or braids
Though it’s probably a bit more relevant to women, wearing hair in tight braids, like dreadlocks, cornrows or having your hair tightly pulled back, like in a ponytail can in fact lead to hair loss or what is medically known as traction alopecia. It is caused by chronic pulling of the hair, leading to gradual hair loss, mostly at the hairline.
If you are affected by hair loss for what ever reason we at KA Hair Solutions can help. Our non surgical hair replacement treatments are suitable for both men and woman. We believe it is the fastest and easiest way to get your hair back. Less expensive than surgical restoration, the hair replacement process re-creates the look and feel of your own natural hair. It’s a discreet, confidential way to restore your hair at a very reasonable price!
Click Here to find out more about our hair replacement solutions or call us on 01 555 2903 in confidence and make an appointment to discuss our hair systems in more detail.
Tagged as: Hair Loss
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