Troubled with Hair Loss?

A single brush through the hair and the comb returns covered with broken strands of hair. Many of us face this annoying reality every time we manage our hair.

With the lack of time in our lives and the stress we deal with, the problem only aggravates and we reach the brink. How do we stop hair fall? Themedguru explores!

As Michael S. Lehrer, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania explains, each hair has a growth cycle of its own. It grows, rests and then falls off. Normally this entire cycle would take around one year. Experts propound that at any given moment; around ninety percent of our hair is in the growing phase, the remaining 10 percent in the resting phase. So according to this calculation, daily, around 50-100 hairs should be falling off because they have reached their last phase.

Alopecia or Hair Loss

According to a recent survey, Hair loss affects around 35 million men and women in the United States alone. Around 40 percent of men have conspicuous hair loss by the age 35. Dermatologist Habif TP in his book Clinical Dermatology states that both men and women loose a considerable amount of hair with age. He says that more than 25 percent of men begin to bald by the age of 30. And they become bald by the time they are 60.
There are basically two types of Hair loss: scarring and non-scarring. Non-scarring type of hair loss is not something to worry about. It’s a temporary phase, which rectifies by itself and hair comes back to normal. Scarring type of hair loss on the other hand is something where the damage to the scalp is deep and sometimes irreversible.

Why does Excessive Hair loss Take Place?

American Academy for Dermatology opines that excessive hair loss can have a number of causes.
- Improper Chemical Treatments: the fashion frenzy that grips the world today makes youngsters and sometimes even adults use harmful chemicals to colour or style their hair.
- Hair loss is a resultant factor of an improper diet.
- Balding and thinning can also be hereditary.
- After- effect of a serious illness or surgery.
- Hormonal problems can cause hair loss. Treating the hormonal problem will cure the hair loss.
- Post pregnancy. Some women experience hair fall after 3 months of their delivery.
- Reaction to various medicines or treatments.
- Fungal infections can be a cause for hair fall
- Hair loss can also be the first symptom of some underlying illness not yet detected.

How Can Hair Loss be Treated?

Doctor can prescribe alternative medicines for the illness. For fungal infections, treating the infection would solve the problem. Same is true for a hormonal imbalance, which is causing hair loss to occur
There are also a few medicines available in the market, which are useful for stopping hair loss. Minoxidil (Brand name Rogaine) is often used for hair loss. This is available over the counter at all medicine stores. However, it might take more than six months to actually get some result from the medicines.

A new study conducted at the Stanford University, has raised hopes that baldness may soon be very much treatable. The researchers have found a specific molecule, which stimulates hair follicles so that they produce new hair. The experiment was conducted on mice, however the experts believe, it would soon be ready for human beings as well.

Hair Restoration Surgery and Hair Transplants have also become very popular to treat hair loss. These are expensive but quite effective ways to treat hair loss. Scalp Reduction is another surgical way to reduce the appearance of baldness.

Nothing beats taking care of your hair. Do not brush it very hard; do not tie a very tight ponytail or pigtail. Neither should the hair be braided too tightly. Wet hair especially needs to be handled gently. No rollers or too much blow drying. Reduce the use of chemicals as much as possible. And of course eat a balanced diet.