By far the most common form of thinning hair is called androgenic alopecia, or male or female pattern baldness. The most common form of hair loss is really determined by our genes and hormones. A hormone converted from testosterone, called dihydrotestosterone or DHT, in the scalp will cause hair to grow finer and finer and eventually fall out.
Other causes of hair loss can include:
• Anemia
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Certain prescription drugs
• Chemotherapy
• Emotional Stress
• Hormonal Changes
• Overdoses of Vitamin A
• Poor Circulation
• Poor Nutrition
• Poor Hygiene
• Scalp Bacteria
• Sebaceous Buildup
• Slow Cellular Activity
• Thyroid disorders
For any sudden hair loss, consult a medical doctor.
A Closer Look at Male or Female Pattern Hair Loss
The cause for either male or female pattern hair loss can be broken down in three parts.
• Hormones - Any of the various hormones that control the appearance and development of masculine characteristics such as testosterone.
• Genetics - The inheritance of genes from either the mother or father's side of the family.
• Age - when coupled with genetics, age represents a time clock that will signal the hair follicle to produce an enzyme named "5-alpha reductase". When the testosterone present in the follicle combines this enzyme, it produces dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair follicle receptors are sensitive to DHT and thereby start the process of male and female hair loss. Over time, the action of DHT causes the hair follicles to degrade. Though the follicle is technically still alive and connected to a good blood supply, it will grow smaller and smaller. But, an important fact is, the follicle can successfully nurture a transplanted follicle which is immune to the effects of DHT.
The Life Cycle of a Hair
• Hair grows from a root enclosed by a follicle and begins the anagen, or growing stage, which normally lasts two to six years.
• The catagen, or degenerative stage, lasts one to two weeks and involves rapid wrinkling and contraction of the lower part of the follicle. Keratin production ceases during this stage.
• The resting stage, or telogen, lasts three to five months, after which the hair gradually starts to fall out. With health hair follicles, these old telogen hairs are replaces by new anagen hairs and the cycle begins again.
