Myths, Facts & Types
Part-II
The average hair fall (50-100 strands per day) is a result of the hair growth cycle, Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen phases as described in my previous blog. Nevertheless, we see more hair fall if this cycle is disrupted, or somehow the hair follicles get damaged. As a result, we see a receding hairline, overall thinning, or bald patches. Therefore, over 63 million people in the United States suffer from abnormal hair loss. So lets shed some light on famous myths about hair fall and growth, and lets bust them.
Myths & Facts about Hair loss & growth
Number One
Myth:
Washing your hair every day is bad for hair growth?
Fact:
Actually, it is just opposite; washing the hair every day clears most of the sebum on oily scalp. The excessive sebum blocked follicles. Washing hair does not make the hair fall out excessively.
Number Two
Myth:
Shaving and clipping make hair grow faster and thicker.
Fact:
Shaving and clipping the hair doesn’t affect hair growth. When hair is blunt & cut close to the scalp, it grows back more evenly, and look fuller. But it has nothing to do with hair growth.
Number Three
Myth:
Hair loss is from your mother’s side.
Fact:
Hair loss or baldness can be genetic, and you can get it on from both, your mother or father.
Reasons for Hair loss
The hair loss is usually related to a family history of baldness, any hormonal changes like puberty or menopause, medical conditions or severe illness, medications like chemotherapy, and unnecessary or unsafe use of hair chemicals e,g Perm, Relaxer, or Bleach and most commonly know reason, Stress.
Types of Hair loss
Hair loss or Alopecia is a disorder caused by an interruption in the body’s hair production cycle (Anagen, Catagen, Telogen phases). Hair loss is occurred when the hair cycle is disrupted or if the hair follicles are damaged. Some common types of Alopecia are as follows.
Androgenetic Alopecia
This is the most common hair loss that affects more than 80 million people in the United States. It is usually hereditary and a male or female pattern of hair loss. The terminal hair (healthy hair) converted into vellus hair (weak hair). In men, the hair loss began after puberty, the hair falls out from the temples and slowly lead to baldness. In women, hair thins gradually all over the crown as part of aging but does not lead to baldness in most of the cases. Commonly, men and women have some degree of Androgenic Alopecia after the age of 35.
Alopecia Areata
This type of hair loss is an autoimmune disorder. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles and causes hair to fall out. Thus, the white cells stop new hair from growing. This type of Alopecia begins with round small bald patches and slowly covers most of the scalp. There is no specific age group that falls under this type of hair loss, as it is common in kids, men, and women of all ages.
Cicatricial Alopecia
This is a rare type of hair loss when hair follicles are destroyed by inflammation and cause scar tissues. The hair loss starts to fall out at once, begins with itching, and maybe swelling and rashes on the scalp. However, Hair doesn’t grow back after scar tissues.
Postpartum Alopecia
It is a temporary hair loss after pregnancy. In some women, pregnancy leads to disturbance of the normal hair cycle. There is little hair shedding during pregnancy, but a few months after the delivery, the hair grows back slowly.
In my next article, I will discuss some common hair disorders. Until then, be safe and take care of yourself.
