Causes of Hair Loss
So what is the real reason so many men and women around the world suffer from hair loss? Below are the many types of hair loss and the reasons behind them.
Androgenetic Alopecia or Patterned Baldness
The term androgenetic alopecia contains two of the three causes of hair loss. Alopecia is the Greek word for "baldness," while androgenetic can be split into: androgens – “male hormones” and genetic – “genes.”
Female Patterned Loss
In female pattern hair loss gradual thinning generally takes place over some protracted period of time. It is important to undersantand that some normal "hair shedding" is not cause for alarm. Most people shed 80-125 hairs per day. Hair loss occurs when the daily loss (shedding) exceeds the amount of hair that regrows for a long period of time. This will slowly reveal more and more scalp as the hairs miniturize, fall out and are not replaced.
For both of the above mentioned types of hair loss, there are three main causes:
1. Genes
2. Hormones
Although hormones govern many chemical processes in the body, only two affect hair loss: testosterone and dyhydrotestosterone (DHT). Testosterone is responsible for deepening the voice, building muscle mass and promoting hair growth under the arms and in the pubic area. DHT, on the other hand, promotes hair growth on the face and body and is responsible for acne, enlarged prostates and male pattern baldness. Without testosterone the body cannot make DHT and without DHT, male pattern baldness cannot occur. With the help of an enzyme known as 5 alpha-reductase, testosterone is converted to DHT. It is the presence of DHT in the hair follicle that activates the balding process.
This microscopic view of hair shows you the effect of DHT on hair. Hair on top of the head begins to miniaturize over time as DHT begins to build up. DHT causes Androgenetic hair loss.
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3. Time
Time is a factor in many things that occur in our bodies and losing hair is no exception. Baldness is often a condition of advancing age.
Listed below are some other common types of hair loss and their causes.
Diffused Alopecia
Diffused alopecia has some of the same causes as male pattern baldness, but never progresses to complete baldness. Three different types of this condition occur:
- Diffused unpatterned alopecia: a general thinning of the hair over the entire head including the fringe area. Much more common in women than in men.
- Diffused patterned alopecia: hair noticeably thins in the same pattern as that of male pattern baldness. Can occur in both men and women.
- Senile alopecia: a general thinning of the hair as one ages. Usually occurs after the age of 60 and affects both men and women equally.
Hairs become shorter, thinner and lose their pigment - causing "normal" hairs to change to terminal hairs (begin to grow more slowly), then to intermediate hairs (begin to lose diameter and color) and finally to vellus hairs (fine, non pigmented hair).
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is characterized by complete baldness in random but clearly defined patches on the scalp. Considered an autoimmune disease, the individual’s immune system attacks the hair follicles in the affected area. More severe are the cases affecting the loss of hair on the entire scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes– this is known as Alopecia Totalis.
Alopecia Universalis
The most advanced form in a series of conditions all related to the same disease, Alopecia Universalis is characterized by a total loss of body hair. A member of the group of hair loss conditions called Alopecia Areata, the only difference between Alopecia Universalis and its variants is the extent of hair loss.
Anagen Effluvium
Characterized by the loss of hair in the anagen phase (the phase in which hair grows), this condition is associated with thinning over the entire scalp. Anticancer drugs, x-ray therapy, or harsh drugs such as arsenic, bismuth, colchicine, borax, gold and thallium typically cause anagen effluvium. When anagen effluvium occurs hair is not shed but lost by fracturing of the hair shafts at the level of the scalp (www.hairlosstalk.com). Unlike other forms of hair loss, anagen effluvium is an immediate loss.
Telogen Effluvium
Sometimes an unusually large number of follicles enter the telogen, or resting stage, followed by hair loss in those follicles. This often results in significant and dramatic thinning over the course of 3-4 months. Keep in mind that this condition is temporary – new hairs will begin growing in a matter of months. As well, the hair loss is not as significant as it is in anagen effluvium. Some causes of this condition include: hormonal changes associated with childbirth, the termination of a pregnancy, high fever or surgery. Other possible causes are conditions such as diabetes, thyroid conditions, anemia, or systemic lupus erythematosis.
Self-induced Hair Loss
Two types of self-induced hair loss affect many people:
- Traction alopecia: caused by prolonged physical tension on the hair – like wearing tight braids, cornrows or hair extensions.
- Trichotillomania: a psychological condition in which people pull and pluck out their own hair. Most commonly affects children, adolescents and women.
Scarring Alopecia
Characterized by patchy hair loss in discreet areas of the scalp, scarring alopecia is the result of destroyed hair follicles. Causes range from inherited abnormalities of the skin and hair follicles to bacterial, fungal or viral infections and tumors of the skin.