Except for some specific places on the human skin, hair grows everywhere, these specific places can be the palm of the hands, eyelids, soles of feet, and belly button. Some hairs on the skin are virtually invisible such as on cheeks and ears.
A special kind of protein called keratin produces the hair. And the hole in the outer layer of skin from where hair grows is called follicles. When these follicles produce new hair cells the old cell pushed out up to six inches in a year.
Our hair is actually a string of dead cells made of keratin cells. There is about 100000 to 200000 hair on an average adult head. We daily lose up to 100 strings of hair. So if you see a few on your comb or hairbrush, you no need to worry. As published in an article of WMB
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Natural Hair Growth
About 95 percent of the hair on the scalp of a normal person stays in a growing state. Same as our other body cells, the follicle has a life cycle which depends on different factors such as, age, health conditions, and some other factors, the life cycle of the follicle is divided into three common phases
1-Angen
This is the active phase of hair growth in which lasts for two to eight years.
2-Catagen
It is a transitional period of hair growth that lasts for 14 to 20 days.
3-Telogen
Telogen is a resting phase for follicles that can last for up to three months, after completing this period hair sheds off and a new hair takes place of this old hair and the cycle starts to begin again.
What are the types of hair loss?
With the age the rat of hair growth becomes slow. This hair loss condition also called alopecia which has many types
Universalis Alopecia
This condition causes fall out of all hair of the body, even eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair of the pubic area.
Alopecia Involutional
In this condition, hair becomes naturally thin with the age, due to a weak immune system more and more follicles go into the resting period or phase. Therefore, the remaining hair looks fewer and shorter.
Androgenic alopecia
This type affects both men and women. It is a genetic health condition, if a man affected by this condition it will be called Male Pattern Baldness. It can be started from early ages as their teen or twenties.
In this condition, the hair disappears from the crown and frontal scalp gradually. While women who have this condition will name Female Pattern Baldness. But not like men women notice this later in their forties.
Unlike men, women experience thinning hair all over the scalp, mostly over the crown.
Trichotillomania
It is a psychological disorder, most frequently found in children, in which they pull out their own hair.
Alopecia areata
This condition states suddenly, in this condition children and young adults loss patchy hair loss. This condition can lead to complete baldness. But in most people with this disease hair returns back after some time period.
Telogen Effluvium
It is a temporary hair condition that occurs due to changes in the growth cycle of the follicle. A big number of cells go into the resting phase at the same time and a lot of hair starts shedding and thinning.
What are the Causes of Hair Loss?
There are no specific reasons for hair loss, doctors did not know how follicles are programmed to control hair growth. One follicle works entirely differently from another. However, there could be various different factors that can influence hair loss such as:
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Genes
If one of your parents have any hair fall condition it may influence your predisposition to any pattern Baldness
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Hormones
Unbalancing hormones in your body can cause hair fall such as abnormal levels of androgens and testosterone.
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Drugs
Different kinds of drugs and medication also cause fast hair fall such as
chemotherapy which is used for cancer treatment
- Beta-adrenergic blockers
- Blood thinners
- Birth control pills
- Blood pressure medication
- Diabetes
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Illness, Childbirth, and Stress
These conditions can cause temporary hair loss in both men and women. Fungal infection also can cause hair loss such as Ringworm. If you have a lot of stress from work or other things manage it to prevent hair fall and other health conditions.
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Cosmetic procedures
Many cosmetic products also can cause hair loss such as bleaching, shampooing, and dyeing hair. Some other things such as hair ironing, hair rollers, and curling can weaken the hair.
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Injuries and Burns
Injuries and burns can cause hair loss which can be temporary or permanent.
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Medical and Health conditions
Different kind of medical and health condition plays the main role in hair fall such as
- Lupus
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorder
- Anemia or iron deficiency
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Lichen planus
- Follicular disorders
Conclusion
Although there could be various reasons for hair loss. Fortunately, there are various home remedies and products available which can help you to get your normal hair count again.
