We live in a hairy world; and we are hairy people. In fact, hair covers virtually every part of our bodies with the exception of the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet. Hair is composed of a protein call keratin, and this keratin produces a follicle (fiber) that grows from the outermost layer of skin at a rate of roughly 6 inches per year. Although hair grows on most of the body, we are chiefly concerned with that which makes its home on our heads. Full, beautiful luxurious hair is coveted, so keeping it in tact is a top priority.
The adult human head has an average of 150,000 hairs on it, yet about 100 of them fall out per day. In that sense, “hair loss” is perfectly natural. However, certain variables contribute to the rate at which we lose and re-grow hair such as age, disease, stress, genetics and others. The average hair “lives” for about 4.5 years before it falls out, and is typically replaced within 6 months.
The life cycle of a hair is divided into 3 phases:
Anagen – This is when the hair is growing, and usually lasts between 2 and 6 years.
Catagen – This is a transitional phase and lasts between 2 and 3 weeks.
Telogen – At this point the hair rests for about 2 to 3 months. The hair is then shed and the process begins anew.
As we grow older the rate of hair growth slows. Eventually, the ratio of new hair growth to existing hair loss (anagen to telegen) favors the hair loss and we begin to see the effects visually. The gradual thinning of hair with age (as described above) is called involutional alopecia.
Androgenic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness, is what most people suffer from when they experience premature hair loss. This condition is one of genetic predisposition, and although it affects mainly men, women can, to a lesser degree, be affected. The onset of androgenic alopecia can begin in the late teens and 20s for men, but often not until the 40s for women.
Sudden hair loss in children and young adults is called alopecia areata. This condition results in complete baldness, but in about 90% of cases the hair returns in a year or two.
Alopecia universalis, as the name would suggest, results in complete hair loss.
The life cycle of a hair is divided into 3 phases:
Anagen – This is when the hair is growing, and usually lasts between 2 and 6 years.
Catagen – This is a transitional phase and lasts between 2 and 3 weeks.
Telogen – At this point the hair rests for about 2 to 3 months. The hair is then shed and the process begins anew.
As we grow older the rate of hair growth slows. Eventually, the ratio of new hair growth to existing hair loss (anagen to telegen) favors the hair loss and we begin to see the effects visually. The gradual thinning of hair with age (as described above) is called involutional alopecia.
Androgenic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness, is what most people suffer from when they experience premature hair loss. This condition is one of genetic predisposition, and although it affects mainly men, women can, to a lesser degree, be affected. The onset of androgenic alopecia can begin in the late teens and 20s for men, but often not until the 40s for women.
Sudden hair loss in children and young adults is called alopecia areata. This condition results in complete baldness, but in about 90% of cases the hair returns in a year or two.
Alopecia universalis, as the name would suggest, results in complete hair loss.