Did you know?
99% of all hair loss in men and women is caused by one thing, excessive oil caused by DHT (dihydrotestosterone). This oil, called sebum, clogs the pores of the scalp and restricts follicle growth. This loss is manifested in various ways, most commonly as a receding hairline. Hereditary male pattern baldness, which is properly known as androgenetic alopecia, is a condition afflicting approximately half of the males, by age of 50, and is the cause of overall thinning most often experienced by women. Another form of hair loss in women, alopecia areata is the sudden balding in irregular patches on the scalp. In most cases, the nervous system has been injured in some way, causing the affected area to be poorly nourished.
If you run your fingers through your hair and you come out with a handful, you have a hair loss problem—just as you would if you were to see a lot of hair in the drain or tub after washing your hair. Such massive hair loss is not natural, even if your father is bald.
If you are not shedding, your roots are not producing new hair. The formation of new growth depends entirely upon how much nourishment each papilla and root get from the blood stream and how clean the scalp is so the new hair can push its way through the surface.
The scalp, by the way, is the hardest place on our bodies for blood to reach. Like our fingertips and toes, it is an extremity.
Hair Loss Conditions
Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia, or hereditary hair loss, is the most common type of hair loss and it’s progressive. Men and women with androgenetic alopecia are born with inherited hair follicles that are sensitive to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone causes hair follicles to miniaturize over time, producing thinner and finer hair. Eventually, the follicles stop producing normal hairs, leaving only “peach fuzz”. Men with this condition typically notice a hairline that recedes or thinning at the crown. Women with androgenetic alopecia don’t always follow a recognizable pattern, but may see a widening part, overall thinning or patchy hair loss.
Anagen Effluvium
Anagen effluvium is the sudden loss of hairs in the growing (anagen) phase. This condition may be caused by exposure to chemicals or toxins such as those found in chemotherapy or radiation for cancer treatment. The condition is generally reversible and hair typically regrows within 1-3 months, but some hair loss can be permanent.
Cicatricial Alopecia
Cicatricial alopecia, also called scarring alopecia, refers to a group of rare disorders that destroy hair follicles and replace them with scar tissue. Most forms of the condition first appear as small patches of hair loss that may expand over time. Many African-American women suffer from this condition. While these disorders affect a small number of the population, they can result in permanent hair loss.
Hypotrichosis is a condition where there is no hair growth from the time of birth. Rather than having hair and losing it over time, people with hypotrichosis never grow any hair. This condition is thought to be caused by a genetic deviation during fetal development.
Scalp Folliculitis
Scalp folliculitis is usually due to a bacterial infection and occurs when hair follicles become inflamed due to blockage or damage. Follicles may be surrounded by a ring of inflammation and look like acne. In the early stages, hair may still be present in the follicle, but as the condition progresses, it will fall out. In severe cases, the inflammation can permanently damage hair follicles and result in hair loss.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium occurs when hair follicles are prematurely pushed into the resting (telogen) phase of hair growth. This condition is usually due to an acute external factor such as physical trauma, surgery, major illness or other intense stressors on the body. It typically appears as diffuse thinning across all areas of the scalp, and in many cases, is temporary and reversible.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia results from damaged hair follicles due to constant tension or pulling over a long period of time. Repeatedly wearing tight hair styles, such as ponytails, buns or braids, can cause traction alopecia. This condition typically occurs near the temples or along the hairline. African-American women often experience this type of hair loss at their edges, which is the hairline area that goes from ear to ear and frames the face.
Trichorrhexis Nodosa
Trichorrhexis nodosa is characterized by weak points, or nodes, present along the hair shaft. The nodes cause hair to break easily, leading to the appearance of thinning hair or patchy hair loss. The condition can be triggered by harsh styling practices such as the overuse of chemicals and heat styling tools. In some cases, trichorrhexis nodosa may be caused by underlying medical disorders such as thyroid problems, an iron deficiency or a buildup of ammonia in the body.
Tricholtillomania
Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder that drives individuals to compulsively pull out their own hair. Typically, trichotillomania results in patchy bald spots on the scalp, eyebrows and/or eyelashes.
99% of all hair loss in men and women is caused by one thing, excessive oil caused by DHT (dihydrotestosterone). This oil, called sebum, clogs the pores of the scalp and restricts follicle growth. This loss is manifested in various ways, most commonly as a receding hairline. Hereditary male pattern baldness, which is properly known as androgenetic alopecia, is a condition afflicting approximately half of the males, by age of 50, and is the cause of overall thinning most often experienced by women. Another form of hair loss in women, alopecia areata is the sudden balding in irregular patches on the scalp. In most cases, the nervous system has been injured in some way, causing the affected area to be poorly nourished.
If you run your fingers through your hair and you come out with a handful, you have a hair loss problem—just as you would if you were to see a lot of hair in the drain or tub after washing your hair. Such massive hair loss is not natural, even if your father is bald.
If you are not shedding, your roots are not producing new hair. The formation of new growth depends entirely upon how much nourishment each papilla and root get from the blood stream and how clean the scalp is so the new hair can push its way through the surface.
The scalp, by the way, is the hardest place on our bodies for blood to reach. Like our fingertips and toes, it is an extremity.
Hair Loss Conditions
Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia, or hereditary hair loss, is the most common type of hair loss and it’s progressive. Men and women with androgenetic alopecia are born with inherited hair follicles that are sensitive to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone causes hair follicles to miniaturize over time, producing thinner and finer hair. Eventually, the follicles stop producing normal hairs, leaving only “peach fuzz”. Men with this condition typically notice a hairline that recedes or thinning at the crown. Women with androgenetic alopecia don’t always follow a recognizable pattern, but may see a widening part, overall thinning or patchy hair loss.
Anagen Effluvium
Anagen effluvium is the sudden loss of hairs in the growing (anagen) phase. This condition may be caused by exposure to chemicals or toxins such as those found in chemotherapy or radiation for cancer treatment. The condition is generally reversible and hair typically regrows within 1-3 months, but some hair loss can be permanent.
Cicatricial Alopecia
Cicatricial alopecia, also called scarring alopecia, refers to a group of rare disorders that destroy hair follicles and replace them with scar tissue. Most forms of the condition first appear as small patches of hair loss that may expand over time. Many African-American women suffer from this condition. While these disorders affect a small number of the population, they can result in permanent hair loss.
- Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) - CCCA primarily occurs at the crown. The hair loss is usually gradual and radiates outward in a circular pattern. It’s linked to harsh styling practices such as chemical relaxers and excessive pulling on the hair from tight braids and weaves. However, research now suggests that CCCA may also be due to a genetic predisposition. This form of scarring alopecia is most common in African-American women, though it can present in men and women of all ethnicities.
- Lichen planopilaris - Lichen planopilaris is a type of scarring hair loss that occurs when a skin infection called lichen planus affects the scalp. The condition typically causes intense itching and may be accompanied by burning and tenderness. The cause of lichen planopilaris is not known, but is thought to have a genetic link.
Hypotrichosis is a condition where there is no hair growth from the time of birth. Rather than having hair and losing it over time, people with hypotrichosis never grow any hair. This condition is thought to be caused by a genetic deviation during fetal development.
Scalp Folliculitis
Scalp folliculitis is usually due to a bacterial infection and occurs when hair follicles become inflamed due to blockage or damage. Follicles may be surrounded by a ring of inflammation and look like acne. In the early stages, hair may still be present in the follicle, but as the condition progresses, it will fall out. In severe cases, the inflammation can permanently damage hair follicles and result in hair loss.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium occurs when hair follicles are prematurely pushed into the resting (telogen) phase of hair growth. This condition is usually due to an acute external factor such as physical trauma, surgery, major illness or other intense stressors on the body. It typically appears as diffuse thinning across all areas of the scalp, and in many cases, is temporary and reversible.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia results from damaged hair follicles due to constant tension or pulling over a long period of time. Repeatedly wearing tight hair styles, such as ponytails, buns or braids, can cause traction alopecia. This condition typically occurs near the temples or along the hairline. African-American women often experience this type of hair loss at their edges, which is the hairline area that goes from ear to ear and frames the face.
Trichorrhexis Nodosa
Trichorrhexis nodosa is characterized by weak points, or nodes, present along the hair shaft. The nodes cause hair to break easily, leading to the appearance of thinning hair or patchy hair loss. The condition can be triggered by harsh styling practices such as the overuse of chemicals and heat styling tools. In some cases, trichorrhexis nodosa may be caused by underlying medical disorders such as thyroid problems, an iron deficiency or a buildup of ammonia in the body.
Tricholtillomania
Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder that drives individuals to compulsively pull out their own hair. Typically, trichotillomania results in patchy bald spots on the scalp, eyebrows and/or eyelashes.
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