Causes of Hair Loss
Although there are many potential causes of hair loss, including diet, disease and the use of certain medications, the most common form of hair loss--Androgenetic Alopecia (male and female pattern balness)--accounts for nearly 95% of all hair loss and is the leading cause of hair loss for both men and women. Despite common misconceptions, hair loss is not caused by frequent shampooing, poor circulation or wearing hats or helmets. 
The tendency for both male and female pattern hair loss is genetically inherited from either side of the family. Hair loss genes make some hair follicles sensitive to a hormone called DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, that resides in the scalp. Although DHT is present in the entire scalp, only the hair at the front and top of the scalp is affected by DHT. Generally, hair follicles from the sides and back of the head are resistant to DHT.
When DHT is present at high levels, genetically affected hair follicles, which had previously produced healthy hair, begin to produce thinner, shorter and weaker hairs. Eventually, these miniaturized follicles produce only fine, almost invisible hairs. All hair follicles go through a cycle of growth, dormancy and regrowth. About 90% of hair follicles grow at any one time. Each follicle remains in the growing phase for approximately 2-6 years. After the grwoing phase, hair enters a transitional phase, typically lasting 2-3 weeks (generally, less than 1% of hair is in this phase). Finally, hair follicles rest for 2-3 months--at the end of the resting phase, the follicle "sheds" the hair and begins to grow again. Unfortunately, hair follicles affected by DHT produce hair for shorter periods and "rest" for longer periods, until finally, they go into a permanent dormancy and cease to produce hair. Some hair follicles may even die and permanent balness may occur.
Although the absolute extent of hair loss cannot be predicted, a consultation can assess the cause of your individual hair loss and help determine available treatment options. |
