The Hair Loss Problem

Hair loss is a condition affecting all ages and genders. Normally, hair goes through a cycle of growth and rest. The course of each cycle varies by individual. In general, the growth phase of scalp hair, known as anagen, typically lasts two to three years. The resting phase is called telogen and it typically lasts three to four months. At the end of the resting phase, the hair strand falls out and a new one begins to grow in its place. Once a hair is shed, the growth stage begins again.

Most people normally shed 50 to 100 hairs a day. However, hair loss may lead to baldness when the rate of shedding exceeds the rate of regrowth, when new hair is thinner than the hair shed or when hair comes out in patches.

Experts say that baldness, or alopecia, is primarily caused by a combination of aging, hormonal changes and family history of baldness (on either parent's side). There are generally two types of hair loss: permanent or Anagen effluvium, where hair loss is caused by the destruction of hair follicles; and temporary or Telogen effluvium, where hair loss is due to transitory damage to the follicles.

For example, in Pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) the time of hair growth shortens, the hairs become rooted more superficially and more easily fall out. Heredity likely plays a key role. Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia occurs when inflammation damages and scars the hair follicle, preventing new hair from growing. This type of alopecia is permanent. What triggers the inflammation is unknown. Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that may follow emotional distress, such as a death in the family or a physiological stress, such as a high fever, sudden or excessive weight loss, extreme diets, nutritional deficiencies, surgery, or metabolic disturbances. Hair typically grows back once the condition that caused it corrects itself, but it usually take months. Alopecia areata is classified as an autoimmune disease, but the cause is unknown. With alopecia areata, your hair generally grows back, but you may lose and regrow your hair a number of times. Other causes of hair loss include poor nutrition, medications, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, hormonal changes, diabetes, lupus, chemicals overused or used incorrectly for dying, tinting, bleaching, straightening the hair, scalp infection, etc.

Learn more about hair loss treatments.

If you are already facing the effects of hair loss, it is time to make a decision. Depending upon the stage and causes of your hair loss, LC Hair Center has several solutions to help you deal with this problem. Give us a call at 305-444-8866 or schedule a free consultation and ask for a free hair and scalp analysis.