Understanding Hair Loss: Causes and Effects of Hair Loss
Those shiny wisps that flow with the wind in them are truly precious for all. The happy element a bunch of silky hair adds to your day is priceless. Everyone thus has a great affinity towards their hair, if they have it still! While a lot of people make a big thing out of losing a few strands of hair, you must understand that every human sheds a number of strands everyday. It is normal for someone to lose around 50-100 strands everyday. However, you need not worry about it as it is replaced by new hair that comes out of the follicles. The only time you shall be worried is when you’re losing hair in patches or can see your hairline receding drastically.
Chronic hair loss can be a sign of many health issues. In men, however, most of the time, hair loss is either genetic or a result of poor maintenance. Favourably, it is better for men to cleanse and nurture their hair, the routine of which can be at least thrice a week. But, men being men, have the tendency of forgetting about their personal health due to their busy work schedules or the simple ignorance of their own self while taking care of others. Hence, it is necessary to understand why hair loss occurs to inculcate a routine hair care for men’s lifestyle.
What causes hair loss?
It is normal for any one to lose at least 50 hair strands everyday but it is also replaced by new hair everyday. It is troublesome when the lost hair is not being replaced by new hair. When that happens, it is hair loss that requires care. Here are the reason why hair loss occurs-
Genetics- yes brothers, if your old man has had hair loss at an early age, it is highly likely that you too will be losing a lot of hair while you’re still young. Receding hairline comes as a result of a genetic disease called androgenic alopecia. This is one of the most common reasons why men see the patterned baldness or a receding hairline.
Hormonal changes or medical conditions- if you have a hormonal disbalance in your body it affects the growth of new hair as well. Thyroid issues, for example, can cause baldness at an increased speed. Some medical conditions also cause excessive hair loss. Alopecia areata is a condition related to the immune system which decreases the growth of new hair on the scalp. Fungal infections or ringworm on the scalp causes another set of issues where hair is lost in patches and scarring leaves the scalp unable to grow more hair. Infections of the scalp require immediate medical attention and you shall consult a doctor to limit the issue right when you see it.
Medication and supplements- some drugs used for treatment of conditions can also cause hair loss. Medication for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout and blood pressure are some of the drugs that can cause hair loss. The newest trend of supplementation- testosterone supplements are also an issue. Unnatural increase of testosterone in the body causes male pattern baldness. It is better to eat good foods and include raw veggies and fruits in your diet to increase your performance in the gym or on bed.
Radiation therapy to the head- chemo or any other radiation therapy to the head makes you lose hair rapidly. However, the hair never comes back the same. If you’ve been through the excruciating pain, try to relieve post-radiation stress for a better comeback of your hair.
Post traumatic stress- a traumatic event in your life causes the stress levels to rise to a level where it is not healthy at all. With a trauma, physical or mental, the body goes into high levels of stress which increases cortisol levels in the body causing hair fall. This kind of stress induced hair loss is temporary and can be revered with therapeutic exercises and stress management.
Hairstyling and treatments- your salon guy will certainly ask you to go for a look that will suit you more but that also causes damage to your hair. Using too many products on your hair or doing hairstyles that pull your hair a lot will cause early baldness.
What are the effects of hair loss?
Hair loss doesn’t show up in a day. Most of the time you start noticing it first in the shower. When you see a bunch of strands in your palm while using a shampoo, it is possible that you’re suffering from hair loss. A lot of hair found on the pillow can also be a sign. Here are the most common effects of hair loss-
Gradual thinning on top of head- this is the most common pattern of balding that occurs in men and happens as they age. The hairline in this case starts to recede from the forehead.
Circular or Patchy Bald Spots- patchy or circular bald spots appear only when the scalp or the skin from which hair is growing has been infected with fungal infection. The scalp, or skin on eyebrows, or cheek become itchy before this happens and then you lose hair completely from that place.
Sudden loosening of hair- after a prolonged period of stress or due to mental trauma, hair on the scalp gets loosened as the brain tries to cool itself down. This kind of hair loss occurs when you take a bath or wash your hair. Lots of hair gets uprooted but they do grow back when you move into a stress free environment.
Full body hair loss- this happens only when you’re undergoing treatment for cancer or have contracted a terrible skin disease. Chemotherapy is one of the treatments that can cause full body hair loss but your hair does come back in this case, only not with the same volume you once had.
There are few simple things that you can add to your routine which can save your hair, given you don’t have serious illnesses and are not getting any treatment or medication. One of the most important ones is to use one kind of shampoo for the rest of your life and use it thrice a week. The second thing you can do is to apply organic coconut or almond oil to your hair twice a week. The third step you can take to make your hair healthier from the root is to go for an Ayurvedic treatment like Qraamen Hair Tonic which contains 3% of Follicusan DP and the rest of biotin. It increases the strength of hair follicles and promotes healthy hair growth.