Although hair replacement is a physiological process, hair loss can be a sign of inadequate care or poor health. There are many causes of hair loss. They are influenced by genetics, various medical conditions and lifestyle. However, it is important to know that in many cases there are effective methodswhich help to combat this problem.
Why does hair fall out?
It is worth knowing that there are around 5 million hair follicles on the human body. More than 100,000 of these grow on the head. Blondes have the densest and finest hair, while redheads have the thickest hair. However, the latter have the least hair on their heads.
On average, each person has about 300 hairs per square centimetre. They grow on average 1 millimetre in 3 days, or about 14 centimetres per year. Each hair lives about 3½ years. On average, each of us loses about 50 hairs a day.
Over the course of a lifetime, approximately 30 life cycles of hair follicles take place on the human head. If these cycles are disrupted, the following occurs problem of excessive hair thinning. It is worrying when more than 100 come out a day.
Excessive hair loss
In men, the cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia. It consists of hair loss on the crown of the head and in the corners of the forehead. It occurs in 60 per cent of men over the age of 50, although in some people, it is present even at the age of 18. Canadian anthropologists have researched that the Czechs are the most balding nation, while the Chinese are the least, along with citizens of Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia. In contrast, no hair loss was observed in Indians, the indigenous peoples of America, Apart from Czechs, the most balding nations include Spaniards, Germans, French, British and Americans. Poles, on the other hand, are in 8th place in this ranking.
Hair loss in women, on the other hand, is largely influenced by hormones. This is why expectant mothers develop thicker than usual and shinier hair on their heads. During menopause, on the other hand, women experience so-called telogenetic alopecia.
In addition, in both women and men, severe hair thinning and even massive hair loss can occur under the influence of strong ones.
Hair loss - the most common causes
Some of the most important factors that can affect hair loss include:
- genetics,
- androgenetic alopecia,
- endocrine disruption,
- radical diet,
- malnutrition,
- childbirth,
- too much vitamin A,
- smoking,
- stress,
- inflammation in the body,
- medicines,
- heavy metal poisoning,
- contraception,
- inadequate care,
Hair loss can also be caused by a number of diseases, such as:
- alopecia areata,
- autoimmune diseases,
- infectious diseases, including syphilis,
- mental illnesses - e.g. trichotillomania, as well as anorexia and bulimia,
- scalp diseases such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis or certain mycoses.
Hair loss - treatment options
If hair loss persists for more than 6 weeks, it is worth seeking help from the trichologist. Diagnosis of the causes of baldness is the basis for selecting the appropriate treatment. During the consultation, the trichologist carries out a thorough interview with the patient. In addition, using a trichoscope, this doctor examines the scalp and hair.
Treatment includes pharmacological and surgical methods. In men, androgenetic alopecia is generally treated with oral preparations based on finasteride, which slows down the balding process. In women, on the other hand, drugs to improve blood supply to the hair follicle are used, e.g. minoxidil and aminexil. On the other hand, corticosteroids are recommended for scarring alopecia.
