What Causes Hair Loss?

Gradual thinning is a normal part of the aging process. Hair Loss may lead to baldness. Most people normally shed 50 to 100 hairs a day. However, when the rate of shedding exceeds the rate of re-growth, it may become necessary to check with your primary care physician.

There are various reasons a person may have hair loss. A few major causes are; stress, drugs, skin disorders, menopause, iron deficiency, genetics and aging.

Basic Form of Hair

The basic form of hair is a biomaterial generally found in the (dermis) skin. Almost our entire body is covered in hair. Hair is produced in deep follicles deep in the skin. Hair is the only part of our body structure that is renewable without scarring.

Hair is mostly made from protein, and its main element is Keratin. Keratin is a fibrous protein found in hair, nails and skin, and gives elasticity to dyes such as henna stick to the skin.

Drugs

Side effects of many drugs may cause hair loss. A few of these drugs whose side effects include hair loss are; anti-acne drugs, meds that thin the blood, ACE inhibitors for blood pressure or heart failure, drugs which are a treatment for stabilizing moods, anti cancer drugs and many more.

Skin Disorders

Alopecia Areata is a hair-loss condition affecting the scalp. Sometimes it may affect other parts of the body. This disorder affects both male and females, and is caused by an abnormality in the immune system. Cause of this disorder unknown.

Baldness may be a genetic gene when hair follicle and or scalp has suffered damage. If loss of hair is due to a hormonal problem then it becomes treatable. Balding is not respectful of anyone. Teens as well as adults may be affected. Our best defense again continued hair loss and baldness is education and understanding of what causes baldness.

Types of Hair Loss

Androgenic Hair Loss is the loss of hair making round bald patches. This type of hair loss is considered genetic.

Chronic Telogen Effluvium mostly occurs in women caused by blood loss to the menstrual cycle. Hair loss during this time is reversible by adding iron to the diet.

Hormonal hair loss is normally temporary. During pregnancy women generally stop losing hair, but after childbirth their body will go back to normal.

Iron Deficiency

One of the main symptoms of Iron Deficiency is hair loss. Before taking iron supplements it is a good idea to check with your doctor since a deficiency of iron could be an underlying medical condition.

Damaged Hair

Women in particular put their hair under an enormous amount of stress such as, hair dryers, hot rollers, dyes, bleaches, hair straightening, permanent waves, and chemical cosmetics. All of this may lead to dry, broken and thinning hair. Proper brushing can bring luster to conditioning the hair. Be gentle, and do not brush your hair when wet. Hair is fragile. Since hair is not a living tissue, it can not repair itself.