What causes hair loss?

If you’re one of the millions of people who are worrying about hair loss – both men and women – you will have of course looked into what products on the market will help your situation.

We looked into hair loss, and the causes behind it thanks MayoClinic.

The main reasons behind hair loss is as follows:

• ·      Family history (heredity)
• ·      Hormonal changes
• ·      Medical conditions
• ·      Medications

Family history (heredity)

The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition called male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. It usually occurs gradually and in predictable patterns — a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair in women.

Heredity also affects the age at which you begin to lose hair, the rate of hair loss and the extent of baldness. Pattern baldness is most common in men and can begin as early as puberty. This type of hair loss may involve both hair thinning and miniaturization (hair becomes soft, fine and short).

Hormonal changes and medical conditions

Hormonal changes and imbalances can cause temporary hair loss. This could be due to pregnancy, childbirth or the onset of menopause. Hormone levels are also affected by the thyroid gland, so thyroid problems may cause hair loss.

Patchy hair loss. This type of nonscarring hair loss is called alopecia areata (al-o-PEE-she-uh ar-e-A-tuh). It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles — causing sudden hair loss that leaves smooth, roundish bald patches on the skin.

Scalp infections. Infections, such as ringworm, can invade the hair and skin of your scalp, leading to scaly patches and hair loss. Once infections are treated, hair generally grows back.

Other skin disorders. Diseases that cause scarring alopecia may result in permanent loss at the scarred areas. These conditions include lichen planus, some types of lupus and sarcoidosis.

Hair-pulling disorder. This condition, also called trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh), causes people to have an irresistible urge to pull out their hair, whether it’s from the scalp, the eyebrows or other areas of the body.

Medications

Hair loss can be caused by drugs used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure and birth control. Intake of too much vitamin A may cause hair loss as well.

Other causes of hair loss

Hair loss can also result from:

Radiation therapy to the head. The hair may not grow back the same as it was before.

A trigger event. Many people experience a general thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock. This type of hair loss is temporary. Examples of trigger events include sudden or excessive weight loss, a high fever, surgery, or a death in the family.

Certain hairstyles and treatments. Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull your hair tight, such as pigtails or cornrows, can cause traction alopecia. Hot oil hair treatments and permanents can cause inflammation of hair follicles that leads to hair loss. If scarring occurs, hair loss could be permanent.

Davines Naturaltech Energizing Gel is one of our favourite bits of kit for reducing hair loss.

In the case of seasonal hair loss, it acts as a preventive treatment slowing down the hair loss process by stimulating the metabolism, giving strength and body to fine or stressed hair. Applied to the scalp and hair regrowth, it invigorates and lightly fixes hair creating an additional light styling effect.

How to use:

After shampooing, spread over the whole scalp 10 gr. of product massaging gently. Do not rinse off. Preventive or maintenance treatment: twice a week for 3 months.

Natural active ingredients:

• Beta-glucans – polysaccarides that boost the protection of the cells
• Caffeine phytoceuticals – stimulate the cellular methabolism and improve blood circulation.
• Sirtuins – longevity proteins with a strong anti-oxidant action.