Hair Growth Cycle and Hair Loss Causes

Hair growth cycle

Your scalp is home to about 100,000 hairs. Each one has its own life cycle. Hair life cycle includes four phases – Anagen phase, Catagen phase, Telogen phase and Exogen phase.

• Anagen phase: hair growth phase; a follicle produces a single hair that grows at a rate of half an inch per month for 2-7 years. About 90% of hair is in anagen phase.
• Catagen phase: transition phase; after growing for 2-6 years, hair growth stops for about a month. About 2% hair in catagen phase.
• Telogen phase: resting phase; the follicle is resting and preparing for the next growth cycle. Telogen phase lasts for 2-4 months. About 8% hair in telogen phase.
• Exogen phase: hair shedding phase; majority of hair shedding occurs during the exogen phase. We lose 50-100 hairs every day as the result.

Hair loss causes

Hair loss is extremely common, affecting about 50 million men and 30 million women in the U.S. About 50% of men will have some hair loss by the time they turn 50 and 80% of women will have noticeable hair loss by age 60. There are many reasons that your hair might shed excessively, ranging from medical conditions to stress and lifestyle factors, like what you eat. Your genes play a role, too.

Hair Loss Cause - Thyroid Problems

Hair loss might be a sign that thyroid hormones is out of balance. Too much or too little thyroid hormone can cause hair to fall out. In most cases, the hair will grow back once the thyroid disorder is treated.

Hair Loss Cause - PCOS

If you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), your hormones are always imbalanced. Your body makes more male hormones, or androgen, than it should. many with PCOS grow thicker hair on their face and body, some experience hair thinning and hair loss, which is referred to as female pattern hair loss.

Hair Loss Cause – Childbirth

Many new moms are surprised to be shedding more hair than usual in the first few months after giving birth, but it’s perfectly normal. This is also called postpartum hair loss. During pregnancy, an elevated estrogen level prolongs the growing stage. There are fewer hairs in the resting stage and fewer falling out each day, so you may have thicker hair. After childbirth, your hormone level goes back to before pregnancy, and your hair starts loss more and will be back to pre-pregnancy around your baby’s first birthday.

Hair Loss Cause – Birth Control Pill

The hormones that suppress ovulation could cause your hair to thin if you are sensitive to the hormones or you have a family history of hair loss. It might happen when you stop taking the pill.

Hair Loss Cause – Going Through Menopause

During Menopause, the body goes through numerous physical changes as it adjusts to fluctuating hormone levels. Hair loss is a common occurrence due to hormonal imbalance related to a lowered production of estrogen and progesterone.

Hair Loss Cause – Medications

Be aware of side effects of the drugs you’re taking – hair loss may be on the list. Examples of such meds include blood thinners, acne medications high in vitamin A, anabolic steroids, or medications for arthritis, depression, gout, heart problems, or high blood pressure.

Hair Loss Cause – Cancer Treatment

Chemo and radiation therapy can cause hair loss. Along with killing cancer cells, both can harm hair follicles and trigger dramatic hair loss.

Hair Loss Cause – Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata or patchy hair loss is caused by your own immune system. It attaches healthy hair follicles. Unfortunately, there is no cure for alopecia areata, but there are ways to ease symptoms.

Hair Loss Cause – Stress

• Telogen effluvium. In telogen effluvium, significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase.
• Trichotillomania is an irresistible urge to pull out hair from your scalp, eyebrows or other areas of your body.
• Alopecia areata. Too much stress can make your body’s immune system turn on itself and attack your hair follicles.

Hair Loss Cause – Crash Diets

If you lose weight too fast, you may experience hair loss in the meantime.

Hair Loss Cause – Not Enough Iron

Iron helps keep your hair healthy; When iron levels drop, so can your hair. When you don’t have enough iron, your body can’t produce the hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to the cells in your body, without oxygen your cells won’t function correctly, including stimulating hair growth.

Hair Loss Cause – Not Enough Protein

Hair contains about 15% nitrogen which is supplied by proteins that we eat every day. The ‘hard’ keratin found in hair is a resilient, insoluble (in water) protein containing 17 amino acids – Cysteine, Cystine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Threonine, Glycine, Leucine, Valine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Proline, Isoleucine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Methionine.

Hair Loss Cause – Smoking

Toxins in cigarette smoke can mess with your hair follicles and impair micro circulation leading to insufficient supply of nutrient for hair to grow.

Hair Loss Cause – Heat

Excessive use of blow-dryers, flat irons, and curling irons dries out hair and makes it easier for them break and fall out. Bleach, dye, relaxers, and hair sprays can do the same thing.

Hair Loss Cause – Tight Hairstyles

Wearing cornrows or tight ponytails can irritate your scalp and cause hair to fall out. The same goes for using tight rollers. Be aware that long-term use of these styles can scar your scalp and lead to permanent hair loss.