hair loss

HAIR LOSS TYPES

Hair loss refers to a loss of hair from part of the head or body, and affects approximately 70% of men and 45% of women, at some point in their lives.

In some cases hair loss is not severe and lasts for a few months, before hair is naturally restored, so there’s no need for hair loss treatment.

However, there are many cases where extensive hair loss problems are created hair loss as a result of heredity and hormonal changes, or because of diseases, infections, medications, etc. In those cases, proper hair treatments are necessary in order to prevent further hair loss and to restore hair.

With early diagnosis and implementation of appropriate medical care, hair loss can be treated successfully in almost all cases!

4 COMMON TYPES OF HAIR LOSS

Normal
The average person loses between 50 to 100 hairs a day, which are gradually replaced by new ones. This is happening because of the natural hair’s growth cycle, thus there’s absolutely no need for any hair loss treatment.

Seasonal
Seasonal hair loss mostly occurs in women, usually in autumn or spring. Seasonal hair loss is normal and there’s no need for hair loss treatment.

Androgenetic Alopecia
It occurs in men because of hereditary predisposition, and it is associated with male hormones (androgens). Norwood’s scale classifies in detail the various stages of Androgenetic alopecia.

Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is characterised by sudden hair loss from some (or even all) areas of the body. It is an autoimmune disorder, as hair loss occurs because of the immune system’s reaction against the hair follicles. In most cases, hair grows back after a few months to a year, however hair loss treatments may be necessary, especially in cases of severe hair loss.

OTHER TYPES OF HAIR LOSS

Hair loss can also occur due to:

  • wounds, burns, or infections,
  • vitamin deficiencies or other components (e.g. iron),
  • extreme stress,
  • traction alopecia (caused by putting the hair under constant strain or tension),
  • medicational side effects (e.g. chemotherapy),
  • hypothyroidism or disorders related to the endocrine system,
  • a mental illness called «Trichotillomania».
Depending on the severity of the problem, a compination of hair loss treatments may be necessary in some of these cases.

HAIRGROWTH CYCLE

Hair, which occurs almost everywhere on the body, follows a specific growth cycle with 3 distinct phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen.

ANAGEN PHASE
During this phase, hair grows approximately 1-1.5 cm per month. The anagen phase may last 2-5 years, and the time length of this phase depends on genetic factors. It is estimated that almost 85% of the hairs on one’s head are in the anagen phase at any given time, when no hair loss issues exist.

KATAGEN PHASE
During this phase, hair is not growing and the size of the follicles is reduced due to disintegration. The catagen phase is transitional and lasts about 1-2 weeks.

TELOGEN PHASE
Telogen is the last phase. Hair falls and the follicles remain dormant for 3 – 6 weeks, before they begin to grow again, starting a new life cycle.

THE 3 PHASES OF HAIR GROWTH CYCLE

hair growth cycle