Causes of hair loss – The most common ones?

Unfortunately, many people suffer from excessive hair loss. Most people experience this to a greater or lesser extent throughout their lives. What causes lead to hair loss?

Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors, but some of the most common are:

1. Hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia): This is the most common cause of hair loss and often occurs due to genetic factors and hormonal changes. It affects both men and women.
2. Hormonal changes: Hormonal imbalances, such as those experienced during pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or thyroid disorders, can contribute to hair loss.
3. Diseases: Certain conditions, such as alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease), scalp infections, and skin diseases such as psoriasis, can cause hair loss.
4. Stress and trauma: Emotional or physical stress, including traumatic events such as surgery or serious illness, can lead to temporary hair loss known as telogen effluvium.
5. Medicines and therapies: Some medicines, including those used to treat cancer (chemotherapy), high blood pressure and depression, may cause hair loss as a side effect.

It is important to remember that these are just a few examples of common causes of hair loss, and each case may differ. If you are experiencing significant hair loss, it is advisable to consult a doctor or dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.

Hair life cycles

Many internal and external factors influence the hair's life cycle, including age, diet, hormonal disorders, various diseases, stress and pollution. Where we come from, where we live and what predispositions we inherit are of key importance. Asians have a longer hair life cycle than Caucasians, up to seven to eight years. In addition, they are less likely to have problems with baldness and excessive hair loss. The hair life cycle consists of four distinct stages: anagen, catagen, telogen and exogen.

• Anagen (growth) phase : This is the active phase of hair growth. During this stage, the hair follicles produce new cells and the hair shaft grows. The duration of the anagen phase varies from person to person and can last several years.
• Catagen (Transitional) Phase : This is a short transient phase that signals the end of the active growth phase. At this stage, hair follicles shrink and hair growth stops. The catagen phase usually lasts several weeks.
• Telogen (resting) phase : During this resting phase, the hair follicles are dormant. The old hair no longer grows, and a new one begins to form underneath it. The telogen phase can last several months.
• Exogen (Shedding) Phase : This is the phase where old hair is shed to allow new hair to grow. Shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle and it is estimated that approximately 50-100 hairs are shed per day.

It is important to remember that each situation is unique and that these are just a few examples of common causes of hair loss. It is recommended to visit a doctor or dermatologist in case of significant hair loss for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendations.

It is also possible to stimulate hair development. I encourage you to check out our offer of shampoos that will help restore your hair to a healthy condition, regardless of the cause of hair loss.

Sources:

1. Mayo Clinic. "Hair loss - Symptoms and causes." Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926
2. American Academy of Dermatology. "Hair loss: Who gets and causes." Retrieved from: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/18-causes
3. Healthline - What Are the Four Stages of Hair Growth?
4. Philip Kingsley - The Hair Growth Cycle: 4 Key Stages Explained