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Hair Growth Phases and Causes of Hair Loss

Normal Hair Loss Everyone loses hair on a daily basis - this is seen as quite normal. However there are a variety of factors that can prematurely accelerate this hair loss process. Normal hair fallout is said to be between 50-100 hairs per day. New hairs usually replace the hairs that fall out. Unfortunately, when hair loss exceeds much more than 100 hairs per day and hair is eventually unable to re-grow, then it is considered to be true hair loss. In addition to genetic predisposition, many doctors suggest that various factors such as physical stress or emotional stress, nutrition, hygiene, medications or hormonal change, all play some roles in hair loss. In most cases, it is often possible to prevent and even reverse the troubling symptom of hair loss if the problem can be assessed and dealt with properly.

The hair follicle goes through three different growing phases called anagen, catagen and telogen phases. If certain nutrients are deficient during any one of these phases, hair loss may occur.

Hair Growth Phases

The life cycle of a hair is divided into three phases; the actively growing (Anagen) phase, the transitional (Catagen) phase, and the resting (Telogen) phase. Normally up to 90% of the hair follicles are in Anagen phase, while 1-2% are in Catagen and 10-14% are in Telogen.

Anagen Phase
Anagen is the active growth phase of the hair follicles. The amount of time a person's hair is in Anagen phase can vary in length, taking the body anywhere from 2 to 6 years to complete. About 90% of the hair on your head is in the Anagen phase at any given time. During this phase, the cells in the root of the hair are dividing rapidly, adding protein and keratine to the hair shaft causing it to grow and push upwards out through the scalp. Hair grows an average of about 1 cm every 28 days.

Categen Phase
The Catagen phase is a short transition stage that occurs at the end of the Anagen phase. It signals the end of the active growth of a hair. This phase lasts for about 1 to 3 weeks while the papilla begins to separate itself from the follicle and the hair moves toward the skin pore.

Telogen Phase
The Telogen phase is the resting phase of the hair follicle. About 10% to 15% of all hairs are in the Telogen phase. This phase lasts anywhere for 2 to 4 months for hairs on the scalp. During this phase the hair follicle rests once the papilla completely separates from the follicle.

Male Pattern Baldness may be the reason of your hair loss

Causes of Hair Loss - Male Pattern Baldness

The vast majority of hair loss is caused by heredity, a factor that is beyond our control. These cases are all considered to be androgenetic alopecia, also referred to as male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness. Genetics determine the severity of hair loss and at what age this type of hair loss sets in. It is estimated that androgenetic alopecia accounts for more than 95% of all hair loss cases.

Male pattern baldness typically starts by causing the hairline to recede in the centre of the forehead. A bald spot may then form on the top of the head, towards the back and centre. Almost all the hair on the top of the head can eventually be lost. This leaves the hair on the sides and back forming the notorious horseshoe pattern. By this stage, hair loss will be very difficult to treat with medications.

Studies show that while balding men don't have higher than average circulating testosterone levels, they do possess above-average amounts of a powerful testosterone derivative dihydrotestosterone, also know as DHT. In men experiencing male pattern baldness, genetically primed follicles convert circulating testosterone into DHT, which attaches itself to the hair and successively diminishes the size of the hair follicle. The affected hairs grow thinner, gradually changes from long, thick, pigmented hair into fine, de-pigmented vellus sprouts resulting in bald spots throughout the scalp.

Nutritional deficiency may cause hair loss

Nutritional deficiency can cause hair loss Causes of Hair Loss - Nutrition and Diet

Our hair requires a daily supply of nutrients that include vitamins, minerals and proteins. This combination of daily nutrients are essential for hair follicles to function and develop properly. People who don't eat enough of the proper nutrients can deprive their bodies of the nutrients it requires. Without the proper nutrients, the hair can become thinner.

It is important to know that nutritional deficiencies in people do not begin to show on the surface right away. It is a slow progression that takes months, sometimes years to become evident. Hair that has not been receiving the proper nutrients becomes dry and fragile. Prolonged nutritional deficiencies can sometimes cause the hair to thin or even fallout. Although there are many nutrients that benefit the hair, below are some that affect the hair more directly.

Protein Deficiency

A protein deficiency is a well-known cause of hair loss. It is important to note that hair is made up of 88% protein. Protein deficiency can cause a reduction in the linear rate of growth in the hair and in the diameter of the hair shaft, which causes the hair to shed easily. Poor digestion and utilization of protein can cause hair loss even if one's protein intake is adequate. Low protein diets simply starve your hair since your hair is made from mainly proteins.

The proteins are made up of amino acid chains, many of which contain the amino cystine. Proteins and amino acids might not make it to your hair due to either a lack of protein in the diet or from lack of circulation to the vessels which feed the hair. People with hormone related hair loss don't receive the proper amount of nutrients to the root of the hair because the dht hormone derivative destroys the blood vessels that feed the hair.

Helping hair problems associated with protein malnutrition is achieved by introducing foods or products, which are rich with proteins, into a person's diet. In regards to dht related hair loss, measures must be taken to eliminate the dht build-up first so that the hairs can properly absorb the proteins and other nutrients.

B-Complex Vitamins

As some of you may have already noticed, many hair loss products contain B-complex vitamins. That is because B vitamins are essential to the health of hair. One of the main benefits that these vitamins contain is that they help with the metabolism of amino acids. As noted above, amino acids are the building blocks from which proteins are constructed. B vitamins also help preserve the colour pigment of hair. Many studies find that people with gray hair, or hair loss, tend to have some deficiency of vitamin B in their diet.

Zinc and RNA Transferase

Zinc is required for RNA (ribonucleic acid) transferase; an enzyme involved in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) synthesis, or synthesis of all body proteins. Impairment of zinc metabolism will affect all protein structures of the body. Zinc is also required for synthesis of carboxypeptidase; a digestive enzyme required for digestion of dietary protein.

Copper and Lysyl Oxidase

Lysyl oxidase is a copper-dependent enzyme involved in connective tissue synthesis. Copper imbalance often leads to lackluster hair and hair loss. Excessive copper, by interfering with the sulfide bonds in the hair, literally causes dissolution of the hair structure. Copper is also required for tyrosinase; an enzyme required for melanin production. Melanin is a pigment substance which gives colour to the hair.

Stress may cause hair loss

Stress can cause hair loss Stress, unfortunately, seems to be a part of modern life and shows itself through different ways in people. Symptoms can sometimes be physically seen through the thinning or shedding of the hair. Stress is usually felt when people experience change or problems that they feel they cannot control. In some cases, hair loss can be tied to a specific event such as a death, job loss, family issues or other sudden trauma. Chronic stress can have the same effect as a sudden trauma. Most common amongst the social precipitating factors for men include divorce, death or sickness of a loved one, and stress at work. Stress induced hair loss is also common in men with genetic balding and is often seen as the precipitating cause that starts the process.

Stress can impair blood circulation to the scalp and impair protein digestion and utilization. Stress can also increases the demand for many "B" vitamins, which can lead to a deficiency. Physical traumas, as well as mental traumas, can even cause hair problems 3 to 6 months after a traumatic event occurs. Treating stress can tend to become an inside out approach. The chance of regaining the hair that has fallen out because of stress is usually good if the problem can be addressed properly.

Fighting stress

When dealing with stress, one rule is not to panic if experience heavy hair fall out. This in itself can cause additional stress. Although people should always consult a doctor to accurately assess any problem they may be experiencing with their body, certain measures can be taken to help cope with stress and stress related hair loss.

Exercise

Exercise is an excellent way of relieving stress. It also burns up the hormones that can accumulate in the body when under stress and prevents them from having unpleasant effects upon your body. Exercising also helps flush out toxins through while making the body more fit and able to cope with stress more easily.

Relaxation

To be able to relax is very important. Finding time to let both the mind and body escape and deal with the pressures in life is something that should not be overlooked. Doing things that are enjoyable, either alone or with loved ones, can really affect people in many more positive ways than one.

Sleep

Minimizing stress and being able to relax can help people sleep better at night. Not enough proper sleep can lead to poor work habits, irritability, short tempers and deterioration in the appearance of your hair and skin.

Our Microscopic Analysis can help determine if stress is affecting the reproducing parts of your hair. Stress can affect the hair in the same way that it affects your other major organs. Once the hair cells quit reproducing, the hair begins to fall out.

Sebum build-up may cause hair loss

Sebum build-up can cause hair loss Causes of Hair Loss - Sebum Build Up

Sebum is an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands. Its main purpose is to make the skin and hair waterproof while protecting them from drying out. However, an excess production of Sebum on the scalp can make the skin and hair appear oily. When discharged in excessive quantities, sebum is sometimes unable to drain out of the hair follicle properly on the top of the head where it can harden on the scalp and even plug the follicle.

When sebum on the surface of the scalp begins to breakdown, the chemical effect created can make this sebum mixture even more irritating and toxic to the delicate tissues of the scalp and hair follicles. It can also begin to give off a foul odour when broken down by the natural bacteria that live on the scalp.

With people experiencing hair loss, the affected hairs become thinner, smaller, and weaker, unable to plant themselves properly into the scalp. However, as the hairs shrink, the sebaceous gland attached to them remains the same size. The gland continues to pump out about the same amount of sebum as it would to a healthy hair. So as your hair thins, you will notice that your hair becomes flatter and oilier. The amount of sebum discharged, its exact chemical makeup, and severity of its irritating, toxic effects vary with each individual.

Most doctors agree that having an oily scalp with thinning hair requires frequent cleansing with a good shampoo. Shampooing can reduce surface sebum, which can contain high levels of testosterone and DHT that could re-enter the skin and affect the hair follicle. Cheap shampoos do not do very effective jobs at cleaning, leaving residue on the scalp while drying out the hair.

Deep dirt build-up of bacteria may cause hair loss

Deep Dirt Build-up can cause hair loss Causes of Hair Loss - Deep Dirt Build-up

Proper cleansing of the hair and scalp is required to maintain an optimal environment for the hair to thrive and grow. Build-up of dirt and other elements can clog the hair follicles, resulting in decreased absorption of nutrients through the root of the hair. This can cause the hair to appear dull and lifeless. Excess amounts of dirt build-up over time can cause hair to thin and possibly even fall out. Environmental pollutants, as well as styling products such as gels and sprays, can all attribute to the dirt that can build-up and clog the hair follicle.

Some shampoos are designed to efficiently cleanse and unplug the hair follicles, allowing the hair to thrive and grow under the proper scalp conditions. Doing some research or talking to health and hair care professionals may help determine which products can work best for you.

Bacteria

Our bodies are constantly in contact with environmental organisms and become readily colonized by various microbial species such as bacteria, fungi and protests, which are referred to as the normal flora. Bacteria are the most numerous and obvious microbial components of the normal flora. Most bacteria found on our body help protect our body while aiding in some of its functions, including those found on our scalp. However, an over production of bacteria and fungi on the scalp can sometimes lead to unwanted hair problems.

Excessive sebum production may oxidize in the hair follicle and impair the hair's growth. Excessive sebum may produce an "androgenic ointment" containing DHT that can lead to hair loss over time if left untreated. This paste-like substance is also an excellent breeding ground for bacteria and fungi that can cause severe irritation on the scalp.

Source: www.hairlossanalysis.com

Hair Growth Phases and Causes of Hair Loss

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