Hair loss has become one of the most common and dreaded problems faced by
both men and women alike, more so, as hair plays an important role in a person's
appearance throughout life. Beautiful, healthy and nourished hair can instantly
enhance a person's attractiveness, especially in women. However, hair loss
which is increasingly affecting generations has become a constant cause of
worry for a large number of youths.
There are a number of different kinds of hair loss patterns affecting both
men and women. The most common of them all is called 'Androgenetic
Alopecia'. It is more common in men than in women, and affects men
at a much early stage. It occurs gradually, due to male hormones and a hereditary
tendency. It results in hair loss throughout the scalp, more on the frontal
part.
In women too hair loss occurs genetically, but it is not as much noticeable
or fast as in men. And contrary to the male-pattern baldness, the frontal hair
in this case is least affected. In their case, the hair starts thinning, but
the hair loss is not so much noticeable and starts late. This kind of hair
loss is also called Female-pattern Baldness.
Another type of hair loss is called 'Alopecia Areata', in
which patches of hair is lost from the scalp.
A third type occurs 2-3 months after pregnancy or due to acute illness or
stress. It is called 'Telogen Effluvium'.
Hair loss in men can be attributed to DHT (Di-hydro Testosterone).
It is a combination of male hormone, Testosterone, and androgen receptors,
along with dirt and sebum. Hair particles which are sensitive to DHT, shrink
when contacted with it, and finally shut down completely, causing hair to fall.
Besides these, hair loss in men or women can also occur due to chronic illness
such as various deficiency diseases, thyroid problem, etc., or due to scalp
infections, or as a reaction to strong medication such as anti-cancer drugs,
or even due to excessive hair styling or treatments.
Each hair goes through three different stages during its growth cycle. These
include:
- Anagen: It is the growing phase during which the hair
bulb lies deep inside the scalp. This phase lasts for about 1000 days.
- Catagen: It is the intermediate stage when the hair bulb
rises to the surface, and lasts for about 10 days.
- Telogen: This is the last stage called the Shedding phase,
during which the hair bulb sheds. This phase lasts for about 100 days.
In order to maintain healthy looking hair and make them last longer and prevent
baldness, it is necessary to take some measures to look after your hair. It
is important to eat a balanced diet which contains all the essential vitamins,
minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats, in right amounts. Besides, one
must take steps to lead a stress-free life. Also, it is necessary to take adequate
amounts of calcium in your diet to strengthen your hair.
