Hair Cycle and Causes of Hair Loss

The hair begins its cycle at the Anagen (growth) phase, which lasts between 2 to 6 years. The next phase is the Catagen (non-growth) phase, which lasts between 2 to 6 weeks, during this period the hair begins to pull away from the follicle. The third phase, the Telogen (hair loss) phase, lasts between 3 to 4 months, during this period the hair pulls away from the root area as a new anagen hair is forming, pushing the telogen hair out of the follicle, consequently causing the anagen growth phase to begin again.

On average we lose 50 to 100 hairs daily, fortunately most of this hair re-grows because the follicles remain healthy and intact.

Numerous factors contribute to the cause of hair loss: Scalp bacteria, stress, poor nutrition, genetic baldness (affecting men and women) and hormonal imbalance. In many cases, hair loss may be caused by a combination of these factors. However, for nearly 95% of all hair loss in men, genetic pattern baldness is the most dominant factor which also affects millions of women.

Female Hair Loss

The principle features of female hair loss are:

• Increase of hair shedding
• Decrease in hair fiber diameter
• Decrease in hair density (hairs per sq. centimeter)
• Widening of the natural parting

Before the D.H.I. Session		After the session

In the initial phase, an increase in the rate of hair shedding is observed, followed by a decrease in fiber diameter and number of hairs in the affected area. In females this leads to wider parting and a diffuse thinning from just behind the frontal hairline to the crown. Some females have these changes becoming evident during the mid- to late 20’s.

Causes of Hair Loss in Women

• The most common type of hair loss seen in women is androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern alopecia (or baldness). The inherited tendency towards hair loss is activated by a change in the hormonal balance within the scalp and hair follicle. However the precise mechanism is as yet unknown.
• Menopause is another critical time because there is a natural reduction in circulating female hormones (estrogens) changing the overall hormonal balance from estrogen to androgen (male hormone dominance), causing further deterioration of the aesthetic problem.
• Physical stress: Surgery, illness, anemia, rapid weight change.
• Emotional stress: Mental illness, death of a family member.
• Medication: Drugs used to treat cancer, blood thinners, anti-depressants and high blood pressure medications, as well as birth control pills and high doses of vitamin A, may all cause hair loss.
• Diet: Too little protein and too little iron in the diet can lead to hair loss.
• Illness: Hair loss may begin one to three months after a stressful situation, such as major surgery. High fevers, severe infections and chronic illness can result in hair loss.
• Childbirth: A high degree of hair loss may occur within two to three months after delivery.
• Alopecia areata: A condition in which hair loss occurs only in certain areas, resulting in hair loss patches the size of a coin or larger.
• Thyroid disease: An overactive or under active thyroid can cause hair loss.
• Ringworm: If this fungal infection occurs on the scalp, it can cause small patches of scaling skin and some hair loss.

Due to the variety of causes for female hair loss, one needs to consult a doctor to identify the cause and treat accordingly. Treetment options include:

• Pharmaceutical treatment
• Hair transplantation - Direct Hair Implantation
• Non-medical treatment

All available in our centre, after the initial scientific diagnosis