4 reasons for hair loss

You may not be worrying about hair loss right now but as something that affects roughly 40% of men by age 35 and roughly 50% of women, it is worth thinking about.

Normal hair loss is considered to be 100 hairs per day, based on the average scalp containing 100,000 hair follicles. Over time hair movements, shampooing and brushing cause the root of the hair to loosen and eventually falls out.

There are four reasons for excessive hair loss; genetics, hormones, stress and ageing. Today we’ll take a brief look at each of these.

Hair Loss – Genetics

The gene responsible for hair loss can be inherited from either parent and can be expressed in both men and women. 82% of adults are aware that genetics is one of the causes of hair loss. The good news, however, is that not everyone who carries the gene(s) responsible for hair loss will develop baldness. There are several other factors which trigger these genes such as the topics we will look at next.

Hair Loss – Hormones

Two male hormones (androgens) are involved in the mechanism of androgenetic (male-pattern baldness) hair loss along with other processes in the body; testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Some people with this type of hair loss have higher numbers of androgen receptors in the hair follicle which results in a more pronounced effect on the hair. You can also have a higher sensitivity to the hormones.

Hair Loss – Stress

There’s a reason why people use the phrase ‘tearing my hair out’ when they are under a lot of pressure! The demands of modern life can cause hair loss. Telogen Effluvium is one of the most common types of stress-induced hair loss and causes the hair to stop growing altogether before falling out. Hair usually grows back within 6 to 9 months.

Alopecia Areata is another common stress-related type of hair loss which sees the white blood cells attacking hair follicles, ultimately leading to hair falling out. The hair often grows back, but not always.  In some cases, treatment is required such as a hair transplant. The number of surgical hair restoration procedures went up from 225,779 in 2006 to 252,002 in 2008. How does a Hair transplant work? click to find out.

Hair Loss – Ageing

As I mentioned 40% of men have noticeable hair loss by age 35, this increases to 65% by the age of 60 and 80% by age 80. As we age some of our hairs start to decrease both in length and diameter which is a natural thinning process called miniaturization. These hairs will fall out and slowly the number of our follicles will decrease.