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Dr. George
Q: What causes hair loss?
A: Hair loss, or alopecia, is a widespread phenomenon that affects almost half of all people, women and men. Knowing what causes it, and being able to prevent it or reverse it are two completely different issues. Discovery of a method that precludes it would be an epic achievement... Balding people today pay a kings ransom to reverse it with treatments of various value.
There are actually many causes of hair loss. Nutritional deficiencies, hormonal aberrations, various medications, physiologic stresses like dieting or a serious illness can do it, and even pregnancy may trigger it. Simple traction on hair follicles may even be the cause, so see to it that your cornrows aren't too tight. A rather unusual, but stunning cause of alopecia is a traumatic psychological stress. Traumatic alopecia may affect more than just head hair, and can consist of hair loss from the total body. When this happens rather abruptly to a young person, you can bet there is much wailing and gnashing of teeth.
The majority of hair loss is due to androgenetic alopecia, or the balding and hair thinning that comes with age. Surprisingly, it occurs equally in men and women. Women are just a whole lot better at hiding it, though. While it is transmitted genetically, there are actually multiple genes that determine it. In other words, it is complicated. Predicting baldness by using parents or grandparents is right about half the time, or as good as a coin flip. All I know is, my Dad was bald at an early age, and I have a full head of hair at age 56. Probably it's my clean living that did it. Not.
There are three stages that an individual hair follicle goes through during its normal life cycle. Usually 80-90% of hair follicles are in a growing (anagen) phase. About 5-10% are in a resting phase (telogen). At any given time, 1-3% of hair follicles are being lost (catagen). With age, complex hormonal changes in men and women result in the anagen phase becoming progressively shortened. Hair follicles therefore become smaller, thinner, and more fragile. At this point, hairs being found in the comb, sink, and on the pillowcase (mixed with tears) become noticeably greater.
Androgenetic alopecia is also known as male pattern baldness. It produces variable amounts of hair thinning and hair loss that usually starts at the vertex ("bald spot") and the frontal hairline. A receding hairline or widow's peak may be the first sign. Before you know it, a "comb over" only serves to draws attention. As the bald spot and receding hairline increase, hair around the periphery of the scalp may be all that remains. A Michael Jordan shaved head is often the best option at that time.
Women usually have less complete hair loss but thinning can become severe occasionally. Even then, permanents and other tricks of the trade can often hide it. Still, some women find wigs the best option.
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