The cycle of hair

Each of the hair grows in its own cycle like – it grows, takes rest, and then falls off. Generally, this cycle is more or less on yearly basis. At any time, about 90 per cent of anyone’s scalp hair is under growing phase, a phase that would last long between two and six yr.

And hence, above theory means that 10 per cent of the scalp hair is in enjoying rest-phase that would last between 2-3 months. At the end of this rest-phase, the hair goes through something called shedding stage. Shedding 50-100 hairs daily can be considered as normal or physiological process. When hairs shed, they are continuously replaced by some new hairs from the same follicles located just beneath the skin’s surface. Scalp hair would grow about ½ inch a month.

The structure of hair

Hairs are made up of a form of proteins, the same material that is detected in fingernails and toenails. All of us, regardless of our ages, should consume an adequate amount of proteins for maintaining normal hair productions. Proteins are found in meats, chickens, fishes, eggs, some types of milk products such as cheese, raw beans, tofu, whole grains, and seeds and nuts.

Abnormal hair loss could be because of many different reasons, but about 50 per cent of the general population faces normal hair loss by the period they reach their 50s. People who observe hair shedding in greater amounts after combing or brushing or when the hairs start becoming thinner or starts falling out, one should consult some dermatologist.

Causes for hair loss

Severe hair fall, loss or baldness is not generally due to any of the diseases, but is associated with aging, heredity, and testosterones. In addition to the common male and female forms from a combination of those factors, other possible reasons for hair loss, particularly if in an unusual fashion, include:

• Alopecia areata: these are nothing but bald patches those develop onto the scalp, beard, and, maybe on eyebrows. Eyelashes in some rare case may fall off as well.
• Autoimmune diseases like lupus
• Any kind of burns
• Certain infectious conditions like syphilis
• Chemotherapies
• Emotional or physical distress
• Excessive shampooing, using cosmetics and/or blow-drying
• Fevers
• Hormonal changes -- for instance, thyroid problems, childbirths, or use of birth control capsules
• Nervous habits such as pulling the hairs or rubbing the scalp
• Radiation therapies
• Tinea capitis (called as ringworm on the scalp)
• Tumors of the ovaries or adrenal glands

Treatment for hair loss

If hair loss is because of some temporary situations like as medicines, stresses or insufficient iron supplements, nevertheless, the hair loss would stop when these causes end. Hair loss because of infections might require oral antibiotics or anti-fungal drugs or medications. Alopecia areata is treated with injections of some steroids like Triamcinolone that is injected into the affected areas. For all of the reasons, early treatment would work as the best.

For hair loss because of androgenic alopecia, there is no known remedy, although there are many treatments available but none of them is promising. Finasteride is a prescribed hair loss program that is advisable for men only.

Minoxidil can also be rubbed directly onto the scalps and is good for both men and women. It generally works best for hair loss at crest and backside of the scalp, where there are still some remaining hairs. Such therapies/drugs are readily available OTC - over the counter at most of the pharmacies and supermarkets.

Another great way to cure or to stop hair loss is choosing appropriate hairstyles, since they can often hide hair loss efficaciously. Partial hairpiece or wig can also be recommended if hair loss is intense. At last, if nothing works, hair transplantation is considered to be a surefire for hair loss since this latest technique has improved dramatically over the past decade. During hair transplantation, healthy hairs are harvested from areas of the scalp with normal hair growth. Individual hairs are then fixed into sites of the scalps where there is hair loss. If performed well, hair transplantation results in extremely natural appearing hair.