Hair Loss Causes and other Risk Factors

Society placed a great deal of social and cultural importance on hair and hairstyles. From Julius Caesar’s empire down to the Victorian Era, hair is greatly known as a symbol of status and power.
Even today, hair is coined as our "crowning glory". Unfortunately, many triggering factors gave rise to a universal phenomenon called hair loss or alopecia. Nowadays, there are millions of hair thinning solutions available in the market that helps reverse and cease the problem.

Alopecia is triggered by different factors. Some are reversible and can be treated while others are more difficult to treat.  That is why it is important to consider and identify the root cause of your alopecia so that you can find the right alopecia treatment that is best for you.

DHT (Di-hydro-testosterone) – It is recognized as the main culprit of hair loss. DHT is a combination of testosterone and androgen receptors mixed with sebum and dirt particles. Hair follicles are particularly sensitive to DHT and tend to shrink when exposed to it. When hair follicles die, it will eventually cause alopecia.

Genetics- Some people have a built in trigger that causes the follicles to grow smaller and even shut down with age. This is known as Male Pattern Baldness or Female Pattern Baldness.

Stress – It has been associated with alopecia for many years. During times of extreme stress, the body loses large amounts of vitamins, minerals and protein. This sudden loss of nutrients has been thought as a factor in alopecia.

Malnutrition- The lack of nutrients in the diet can cause hair loss.  Anemia (lack of iron) can cause hair thinning.  Several other nutrients are also key factors in the production of healthy hair.  This type of alopecia can easily be reversed by proper diet and taking vitamin supplements.

Mechanical- Excessive pulling or twisting of the hair (trichotillomania) can cause alopecia that can become permanent. Some people actually pull the hair or twist hair as a nervous habit. But, wearing the hair in styles like braids or pulled back, if done too often and too tight can lead to alopecia, which may even become permanent.

Pregnancy and childbirth- Alopecia that is connected to pregnancy usually occurs after delivery. When a woman is pregnant, her hairs grow at very high speed. However, after a woman delivers her baby, many hairs enter the resting phase of the hair cycle. This is a natural process and resolves completely in most cases.

Birth control pills- Women who lose hair while taking birth control pills usually have an inherited tendency for hair thinning (androgenic alopecia). If hair thinning occurs, a woman can consult her gynecologist about switching to another birth control pill. If a woman has a history of female pattern loss in her family she should advise her doctor before going on the pill.

Scalp infection- Infections such as ringworm can invade the hair and skin of your scalp, leading to hair loss. Once infections are treated, hair grows back to normal.