HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

There are different types of hair loss and each type has different symptoms. Sometimes it is only the head that is affected but in severe cases people lose hair from the head and the body. In men hair loss can start from the late twenties or early thirties and by their late thirties, most men will have lost some of their hair. In women, hair again thins with age, but more noticeably so with the onset of the menopause at around 50-55 years of age. Most people will lose between 50 and 100 strands of hair per day, or 250 strands when they wash their hair. This is all entirely natural and nothing to worry about.

Hair grows in a cycle. Anything that interferes with that cycle, such as illness, infection, certain medications, chemicals and severe stress, can prevent hair developing and growing properly. The three cycles consist of: anagen (lasting 2 – 8 years), catagen (lasting 2 -3 weeks), and telogen (lasting 2 – 4 months) with approximately 90% of our hair on the head in the anagen (or growth phase) at any one time. The catagen (transition) phase sees the hair follicle shrink. During the telogen cycle the hair rests. Therefore most of the time, the hair on our heads is growing and only 10% are resting. Hair grows approximately 6 inches or so per year.

The Causes of Hair Loss

Alopecia is the general medical term for hair loss with alopecia areata causing areas of baldness roughly the size of a large coin. There are usually no other symptoms and hair begins to grow back in a few months. The first new hair may be fine and white, but over time it will thicken and regain its natural colour. However, a certain number of people with alopecia areata go on to develop a more severe form of hair loss, and may lose all of their scalp hair (alopecia totalis) or all the hair on their body (alopecia universalis). Alopecia areata can occur at any age, but tends to affect teenagers and young adults. In a worst case scenario you may develop scarring alopecia where the hair follicles are damaged and replaced with scar tissue. This means that new hair cannot grow, so hair loss is unfortunately permanent.

Another cause of hair loss is chemotherapy (also known as anagen effluvium). After chemotherapy hair loss is widespread all over the body. Fortunately this hair loss is usually temporary and will start to grow back once the chemotherapy has ended.

Some hair loss runs in the family. In women, androgenetic alopecia is a hereditary condition can occur in around half of all women in their late 50s and 60s, although it can also occur at any age, including among teenagers. Usually, when a hair is shed it is replaced with something very similar. But in androgenetic alopecia the new hair is thin and very fine.

A number of medical conditions can also bring about hair loss including thyroid problems, hormone issues, anaemia, autoimmune diseases and pregnancy. Skin conditions and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also be a cause. Extreme stress, physical trauma and dramatic weight loss can all cause hair loss.

How Hair Loss May Be Avoided

In many cases hair loss is simply a natural part of the aging process or is temporary so it will not need treating. It can be very distressing however, and you may need to speak to your GP about how you feel. Even in the case of anagen effluvium, hair loss is temporary and your hair will start to grow back a few months after chemotherapy treatment is stopped. It is thought that it may be possible to reduce hair loss from chemotherapy by wearing a special cap that keeps the scalp cool. However, this is not always effective and is unfortunately not widely available.

Where hair loss is caused by an infection or another condition, then treating the underlying problem should help to prevent further hair loss.

Finally, if you are given to creating severe hairstyles the first thing you should do is change the way you dress your hair. Using hair dye, dryers, straighteners and curling tongs, chemical treatments, zealous brushing and aggressive towel drying can all lead to some hair loss.

Possible Treatments and Cures for Hair Loss

Fortunately for most people hair grows back or hair loss can be reversed with medical treatment. However, you should address any concerns with your doctor if you perceive a problem, as the sooner treatment is started the better the chances of saving your hair.

Possible treatments for male-pattern baldness include medications called finasteride and minoxidil, although they are extremely expensive and not effective for everyone. Alopecia areata is generally treated with steroid injections, creams, gels or ointment. Immunotherapy treatment is sometimes used to stimulate hair growth by causing an intentional allergic reaction in the skin.

Surgical options for hair loss include hair transplants and artificial hair implants. Aromatherapy, acupuncture and massage can also be used for alopecia, but there is little evidence at this time that can support their use as effective treatment for hair loss.

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Image courtesy of Welshsk (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons