Hair covers most of our
body. It is constantly growing, and is constantly shed. A healthy
person loses around 50-100 hairs from the scalp every day. Losing
more hair as we get older is natural; however, for a number of reasons,
some people lose hair faster than others. Hair loss can affect both
men and women at any age. Some types of hair loss are temporary -
hair will grow back - but sometimes hair loss is permanent. There
are treatments which slow hair loss in some cases.
Hair and Hair Growth
Hair is made from the
protein keratin, the same substance as fingernails. Hair grows out
of a hair follicle just under the surface of the skin. There are about
100,000 hair follicles on the average scalp.
Hair grows at a rate
of about 1cm a
month and each hair grows for two to five years. Eventually, the hair
stops growing and after a few months it falls out. The hair follicle
then starts the process of growing a new hair. If this process is
disrupted, hair may fall out early or not be replaced, leading to
thinning hair and partial or total baldness. This is known as alopecia.
Types
and causes of hair loss - Male pattern baldness
-
The most common type of hair loss affecting men.
-
Hair follicles stop growing normal hair and grow soft, fine, pale
hair instead
-
Occurs in families, and is related to hormone levels in
the blood
-
Hair is usually lost from the front of the head, especially the sides,
and on the top back of the head; eventually hair stops growing completely.
Female
Pattern baldness
- Similar to male pattern
baldness
- Hair is lost from the
top and centre of the head, without a receding hair line LOSS 1S less
prominent than in men, occurring as thinning at first.
Alopecia
areata
- Sudden hair loss
in a particular area or patch of the scalp or body
- Thought to be caused
by an immune system disorder.
Medicines
- Some medicines used
to treat high blood pressure, cancer, some antidepressants, blood
thinning medicines and high dose Vitamin A can cause hair loss.
Skin Infections
-
E.g. ringworm of the scalp (Tinea capitis). Ringworm is a fungal infection
which causes a scaly patch on the scalp. Hair is lost in and around
this patch.
Scarring
- Areas of the scalp
or skin that have been scarred lose hair follicles and new hair cannot
grow
- Scarring
can be due to injuries, burns, some skin infections and diseases and
some cancers.
Stress
and illness
- Serious illness such
as a high fever, infection or surgery may cause hair loss a few months
after the illness
- Other conditions that
can cause hair loss include thyroid problems and HIV/ AIDS • Some
women experience hair loss a few months after childbirth.
Poor
Diet
- Poor nutrition, including
a lack of protein, iron and zinc can cause hair loss.
Cancer
Treatment
Chemotherapy medicines
and radiation treatments can affect hair follicles and cause growing
hairs to fall out.
Beauty
Treatment
- Overuse of hair colours,
perming solutions etc. can damage the scalp and cause hair loss.
- Regularly pulling hair
into tight hairstyles (e.g. tight rollers, tight plaits) can also
cause hair loss.
Treatment
Male/
female pattern baldness
- Minoxidil solution
can prevent further hair loss and hair may grow back in some cases.
(Ask a pharmacist or doctor.)
- Treatments work best
if started early in hair loss. They must be used for several months
before hair regrowth will occur.
- Once a treatment is
stopped hair loss will continue as before.
Other
types of hair loss
- Hair usually grows
back in alopecia areata, but differs in each person. Cortisone and
other skin treatments may be used. (Ask a doctor.)
- Fungal scalp infections
are treated with antifungal tablets
- Hair lost due to medicines,
stress, childbirth, some medical conditions or poor diet usually grows
back once the cause is removed or treated.
- Hair lost during cancer
treatment usually grows back after treatment is finished.
- Hair transplants and
other surgeries can reduce the size of bald patches.
- Wigs and other cosmetic
treatments such as hair weaving and tinted sprays can hide hair loss.
Note: There is no permanent
cure for male/ female pattern baldness or conditions where hair follicles
are permanently damaged.
Self Care
- Be aware that treatments
for hair loss take time to work.
- Treatments for male/
female pattern baldness must be taken continually to prevent further
hair loss.
- Hair loss does not
make a person less of a person. Focus on things that you like about
yourself.
- Remember skin on the
scalp is easily sunburned. Always wear a hat when outside, and apply
SPF 30+ sunscreen to exposed skin.
- Exposed skin on the
scalp is easily damaged by trauma. Be careful to avoid cuts and scratches.
-Learn to relax. Read
the Relaxation techniques
