Hair Loss Information

Hair loss can be termed as the devastating disease of the spirit. People suffering from hair loss may also suffer from low self esteem. Before we further discuss about hair loss, it is important to understand the science of hair.

Hair is not as simple as it appears on the surface. It not only plays an important role in the appearance of both men and women, but it also create gender identification.

Hair has two distinct structures - the follicle which resides in the skin, and second, the shaft, which is what is visible above the scalp.

Each strand of hair consists of three layers - medulla, cortex & cuticle. The innermost layer is medulla and is only present in large thick hairs. The middle layer which is known as the cortex provides strength and both the colour and the texture to the hair. The outermost layer is known as the cuticle. The cuticle is thin and colourless and serves as a protector of the cortex. Hair is composed of strong structural protein called keratin which is the similar kind of protein that makes up the nails and the outer layer of skin.

The hair follicle is a tunnel-like segment of the epidermis that extends down into the dermis. The structure contains several layers that all have separate functions. The dermal papilla is a significant structure for hair growth because it contains receptors for male hormones and androgens. Since, Androgens regulate hair growth, therefore, Androgens in scalp may cause the hair follicle to get progressively smaller and the hairs to become finer in individuals who are genetically predisposed to this type of hair loss. The living part of the hair is the very bottom part surrounding the papilla, called the bulb. The cells of the bulb divide every 23 to 72 hours, faster than any other cell in the body.

Hair on the scalp grows about .3 to .4 mm per day or about 6 inches per year. Hair follicles grow in repeated cycles. One cycle can be broken down into three phases - anagen, catagen, and telogen. At any given time, a random number of hairs will be in one of these stages of growth and shedding.

Anagen Phase - Growth Phase: Anagen is the active phase of the hair. Approximately 85% of all hairs are in the growing phase at any one time. The Anagen phase or growth phase can vary from two to six years. Hair grows approximately 10 cm per year and any individual hair is unlikely to grow more than one meter long. However, the hair on the arms, legs, eyelashes, and eyebrows have a very short active growth phase of about 30 to 45 days, and that is why they are so much shorter than scalp hair.

Catagen Phase - Transitional Phase: At the end of the Anagen phase the hairs enters into a Catagen phase which lasts about one or two weeks, during the Catagen phase the hair follicle shrinks to about 1/6 of the normal length. The lower part is destroyed and the dermal papilla breaks away to rest below.

Telogen Phase - Resting Phase: The resting phase follows the catagen phase and normally lasts about 5-6 weeks. During this time the hair does not grow but stays attached to the follicle while the dermal papilla stays in a resting phase below. Approximately 10-15 percent of all hairs are in this phase at an one time.

At the end of the Telogen phase the hair follicle re-enters the Anagen phase. The dermal papilla and the base of the follicle join together again and a new hair begins to form. If the old hair has not already been shed the new hair pushes the old one out and the growth cycle starts all over again.

There are many types of hair loss and so many factors could trigger Hair loss, including genetic factors, aging, local skin conditions, diseases that affect the body generally, and use of certain medications, like anti-cancer drugs or radiation thereapy. The most common types of hair loss are telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, ringworm, scarring alopecia, and hair loss due to cosmetic overprocessing.

Alopecia can be caused by many factors from genetics to the environment. While androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness) is by far the most common form of hair loss, dermatologists also see many people with other forms of alopecia. Several hundred diseases have hair loss as a primary symptom.

Alopecia Areata: Alopecia Areata causes coin-sized bald patches on the scalp or beard. Rarely, all body hair may be lost. In most of alopecia cases, the hair usually grows back in several months, except in people with widespread hair loss, for whom re-growth is unlikely (or other parts of the body). Scientists are not sure what causes alopecia areata. It is probably caused by a combination of factors including genetic predisposition, predisposition to allergy, immune and autoimmune system responses, and emotional stress. There are three types of Alopecia Areata:

• Alopecia Areata is mild patchy hair loss on the scalp or beard area
• Alopecia Totalis is the loss of all scalp hair
• Alopecia Universalis is the loss of scalp and all body hair

Male Pattern Hair Loss: Male Pattern Hair Loss is the most common type of hair loss in men. This is caused by genetic pre-disposition and can affect male in any age after puberty. With male pattern hair loss, your hair begins to thin at the temples and at the crown. As time goes on, the hair at the temples recedes further, leaving a central spur of hair at the front, and an increasing bald spot at the crown. Eventually the areas of hair loss at the front and crown meet, and the top of the head becomes increasingly bald. Eventually all that remains is a border of hair around the side and back of the head. High Levels of DHT Shorten the Hairs Growth Phase. The hair roots receive nutrients from blood vessels which contain blood cells and a hormone called testosterone. Testosterone is converted to another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the actions of enzyme called 5 alpha reductase. When high levels of DHT are present in the scalps of men genetically disposed to male pattern hair loss, the following happens:

• the anagen growth phase is shortened so the hair is shorter when it stops growing.
• over the life cycle of a few hairs the hairs get progressively shorter and shorter.

Female Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia): Androgenetic Alopecia or Female Pattern Hair Loss is the most common type of hair loss experienced by women. Female Pattern Hair Loss, unlike in men, does not have to be complete hair loss. This is seen as hair thinning predominantly over the top and front of the head. According to a study it affects approximately one-third of all susceptible women, but is most commonly seen after menopause. In female pattern hair loss, when the affected hair is shed, the root grows one in its place that is shorter. Genetically, hair loss can come from either parent's side of the family. Female pattern hair loss may begin as early as puberty. In these cases if there are signs of hormone imbalance, such as excess facial or body hair, a hormone evaluation should be done. Hormonal changes are a common cause of female hair loss.

There are so many other reasons for temporary hair loss. The most common are:

• Child Birth
• Pregnancy Termination’s
• Starting or Stopping Birth Control Pills
• Dieting Drug
• Therapy
• Severe Emotional Stress

There are numerous products for hair loss treatment are available but unfortunately 99% of all products are completely ineffective for the majority of those who use them. The American Hair Loss Association does not recommend minoxidil as the first line of attract for men suffering with male pattern baldness, but does recognize it as an effective treatment for a small percentage of its users. Similarly, in a study the FDA approved a 1mg dose of finasteride for the treatment of androgenic alopecia in men (male pattern baldness) had only 65% of trial participants experienced what was considered a substantial increase of hair growth. Propecia is the first drug in history to treat male pattern baldness in the vast majority of men who use it, but has side effects like sexual problems such as impotence, low libido and erectile dysfunction.

However, certain Indian herbs like Fenugreek, Shikakai, Indian Gooseberry, Bhringraj, Sapindus Mukorossi, Aloe Vera, Azadirachta Indica, Henna etc when used alone or in combination can atleast arrest hair loss. Ayurveda, the 5000 years old science of medicine, have in its books that few herbs can even trigger hair regrowth.

IHT 9 can be purchased online. Use following links to order.