What causes hair loss? Top 7 reasons
Hair loss, commonly called alopecia, can affect the entire scalp. It can be a temporary condition or a permanent one too. It can be a result due to heredity changes or hormonal changes. Other than this, aging and medical conditions also play a role in hair loss. A most common cause of hair loss with age is baldness. Before going for a hair loss treatment, it is advisable to talk to your doctor for his purpose.
Seven reasons for hair loss
1. Heredity
Heredity hair loss is a common type that is seen in both men and women. There is also a medical term associated with this, which is called androgenic alopecia. Some people have inherited genes that make the hair follicles shrink and stop hair growth. In women, the significant sign of heredity hairloss is the overall thinning of hairs. In men, the character of heredity hair loss is the bald spot at the top of the head. The regrowth is possible in this case as treatment can slow hairloss. Without proper treatment, hairs continue to lose.
2. Age
In most people, the primary reason for hairloss is aging. Hair follicles stop growing and cause the hair on our scalp to thin. Hairs continue to lose their colors due to aging, and the hairline starts to recede. Regrowth is also possible in this case as treatments help to regrow the hair in some cases.
3. Alopecia areata
It is a disease caused when the immune system attacks the hair follicles and leads to hairloss. Hairs start to fall anywhere on the body, including the scalp, ears, and nose too. Some people even begin to lose their eyelashes or eyebrows. Treatment can stimulate regrowth as hair regrowth is also possible in this case.
4. Cancer treatment
Chemotherapy or radiation treatment in cancer leads to loss of hair within a few weeks of initial treatment. Hairs usually regrow in most cases after the completion of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. There are often certain medications prescribed by dermatologists, which help regain the hair more quickly. It can be prevented if a cool cap is worn before the chemotherapy session.
5. Childbirth
Childbirth is also a reason for sudden hair loss. After giving birth, massive hair loss is seen in women, which can also happen after a stressful event in your life, such as after the death of your loved ones. Hair regain can reach its normal fullness within 6-9 months after giving birth in ladies. Other than this, the body readjusts itself when the stress stops, and this excessive shedding stops.
6. Hormonal imbalance
The common cause of hair loss is the disturbed hormonal mechanism in the body. In women, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is the leading cause of hairloss. Some birth control pills cause temporary hormonal imbalance and lead to thin hairs on the scalp. It is advisable to consume a proper diet including more iron, protein, and zinc. Nutrients can regrow the hair.
7. Scalp psoriasis
At some point in life, some people face the issue of plaque psoriasis, which can lead to hairloss. Once the scalp psoriasis clears, hair tends to grow once again, but consultation with a dermatologist is necessary.