Hairfall

Hair loss is a natural aspect of life, with an average of approximately 100,000 hair follicles on our heads. Losing between 100-120 hairs daily is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. However, some individuals experience a more significant hair loss, causing concern and uncertainty. Common types of hair loss include male-pattern hair loss, female-pattern hair loss, alopecia areata, and a condition called telogen effluvium, characterized by a general thinning of hair. Understanding these variations is crucial for addressing concerns about excessive hair loss.

Common types include male-pattern hair loss, female-pattern hair loss, alopecia areata, and a thinning of hair known as telogen effluvium.

Some causes of hair loss are

Drugs

1- Hair loss, whether temporary or permanent, can be triggered by a range of medications, including those prescribed for conditions like blood pressure problems, diabetes, heart disease, and cholesterol.

2- Medications influencing the body’s hormone balance, such as the contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy, steroids, and certain acne medications, can significantly impact and contribute to hair loss.

3- Certain treatments employed to address mycotic infections have the potential to induce substantial hair loss.

4- Medications, including chemotherapy, anabolic steroids, and birth control pills, can lead to side effects such as hair loss.

Pregnancy

Postpartum hair loss is a common occurrence after childbirth, not leading to baldness. During pregnancy, increased estrogen levels result in thicker hair. However, around three months after giving birth, when estrogen levels drop, hair loss happens, especially noticeable around the hairline and temple area. This phenomenon, typically occurring between 2 and 5 months postpartum, does not require treatment, as hair usually regrows naturally. A similar effect is observed in women taking the fertility-stimulating drug clomiphene.

Other causes

1- Alopecia areata, termed “spot baldness,” is an autoimmune disorder leading to hair loss, varying from a single location (Alopecia areata monolocularis) to complete body hair loss (Alopecia areata universalis). The trigger for alopecia areata, believed to be related to dormant hair follicles, remains unknown. While the condition often resolves on its own, it can progress to affect the entire scalp (alopecia totalis) or the entire body (alopecia universalis) in some cases.

2- Cicatricial alopecia, encompassing conditions like lupus erythematosus, lichen plano pilaris, folliculitis decalvans, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, and postmenopausal frontal fibrosing alopecia, can lead to localized or diffuse hair loss. Additionally, tumors and skin outgrowths, such as sebaceous nevus, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, can induce localized baldness.

3- Hair loss, often frontal, is associated with hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid) and the side effects of related medications. This type of hair loss is specifically linked to thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows, a characteristic also observed in syphilis. Conversely, hyperthyroidism (an over-active thyroid) can result in parietal hair loss rather than frontal.

4- Temporary hair loss can occur in areas where sebaceous cysts persist for an extended period, typically lasting from one to several weeks.

5- Congenital triangular alopecia is characterized by a triangular or oval-shaped patch of hair loss in the temple area of the scalp, commonly occurring in young children. The affected region typically consists of vellus hair follicles or may lack hair follicles altogether, but the condition does not progress. The specific causes of congenital triangular alopecia are unknown, and while it is a permanent condition, it does not have any additional effects on the individuals affected.

6- The natural condition of gradual hair thinning with age is referred to as involutional alopecia. This phenomenon is caused by an increasing number of hair follicles transitioning from the growth (anagen) phase to the resting (telogen) phase. As a result, the remaining hairs become shorter and less numerous.

7- Hair thinning can be influenced by an unhealthy scalp environment, contributing to miniaturization and damage. Factors such as air and water pollutants, environmental toxins, conventional styling products, and excess sebum can accumulate on the scalp. This buildup has the potential to block hair follicles, causing their deterioration and resulting in the miniaturization of hair. Additionally, it can physically impede hair growth or harm the cuticle, leading to weakened hair that is prone to breakage before completing its natural life cycle.