Everybody experiences some amount of hair loss every day, usually between 100 – 125 stands of hair. Excessive hair loss, although it is a common problem, causes a great deal of stress and anxiety to those who are
unfortunate enough to encounter the unwelcome condition. Fortunately because hair loss affects so many people worldwide, there is a wealth of information available about baldness and the thinning of hair. Although
sifting through the lashings of hair loss literature can be as confusing as the condition itself. Whilst there are many different factors which cause the hair to fall out at an increased rate, there are also
several myths about baldness, which have absolutely no effect on the production of hair.
Hair Loss Old Wives Tales:
• ‘Brush you hair 100 times a day and you will have thicker, healthily hair’, is one
popular hair misconception, which in reality, excessive brushing actually has a
negative affect on hair.
• “If you have a dirty scalp your hair will fall out”. On the contrary, shampooing hair
too frequently can actually cause the hair to shed at an increased rate.
• “If you wear a hat you will go bald”. Whilst a lot of men and women wear a hat to
disguise a bald head, there is absolutely no scientific evidence to prove wearing a hat can cause baldness.
• “Bald genes come from Mom”. Although hereditary is the most common cause of
permanent baldness, a person can become bald by genes passed down by either
side of the family.
• “Towel drying your hair too hard will cause baldness”. Perhaps the most ridiculous of the hair bald myths,
there is no evidence that towel drying hair vigorously causes it to fall out.
The Truth:
95 percent of hair loss is caused by hereditary. This type of hair loss is known as male or female pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia. Because there are higher levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the
hormone that causes pattern baldness in males, it is men who are commonly affected by androgentic alopecia.
Although hereditary is far from the only cause of hair loss. Certain illnesses like diabetes, hypothyroidism and fungal infections can cause the hair to fall out in increased amounts. Some medications such as
blood thinners, chemotherapy and birth control pills can also result in an abnormal thinning of the hair.
Hormonal imbalances are the most common cause of hair loss within women, although fortunately are usually temporary. Giving birth, sudden weight loss and the menopause all cause sudden changes in hormones which
adversely affects the healthy production of hair.
Emotional stress also has a negative effect on hair growth. A greater number of hair follicles enter the resting phase when an individual is stressed, and as a result no hair growth is experienced.
An inadequate diet or sedentary lifestyle can also cause the hair to fall out more rapidly than the hair of an individual who has a balanced diet and takes regular exercise. As hair is made out of protein, a
diet rich in vitamins, minerals and protein will stimulate hair growth. Exercise also increases blood circulation to the head, which encourages the hair to grow healthily.
The excessive use of certain chemicals found in colorants and perm solutions and appliances that generate heat such as rollers and straighteners, cause the hair follicles to become inflamed, which can result in
scarring and subsequent hair loss.
There are many treatments available to treat hair loss, always seek the advice of a medical professional to find out the best solution for your hair loss situation.
