Hair loss

Hair physiology

Hair grows in groups of 1 to 4 hairs called hair follicles hair follicles. We are born with all the hair follicles we will ever have in the scalp(approximately 100,000). Hair follicles replenish themselves by going through three phases, the Anagen phase (2 to 6 years), Catagen phase ( 2 to 3 weeks)and Telogen phase (2 to 3 months) known as the hair cycle.

This is the reason why hair grows to a particular length and thickness. The duration of the Anagen phase, between 2 to 6 years, determines the length of the hair and the hair bulb determines the hair shaft diameter. The growth rate is approximately 1cm per month.

Hair loss pattern refers to the type of hair loss we get as we age, although it is usually determined by heredity.  This pattern is also called androgenetic alopecia; the hair on the center of the top of the head gets thin before the other areas.  This may be accompanied by a receding hairline and is usually occurs gradually.  The first sign of baldness may be that the part becomes wider. It can be genetic from either the mother or father’s side of the family. In females occasionally this can be caused by hormone imbalance or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

It is important to distinguish this from another form of hair loss common in women called telogen effluvium.  The pattern of telogen effluvium is usually hair loss that is all over the scalp.  This usually occurs more suddenly, possibly 3-8 months after a major stressor (illness, hospitalization, childbirth or death in the family).  Other causes of telogen effluvium include medications, thyroid disorders and low iron stores.  We find the most common cause is low iron stores, measured by a blood test called ferritin, which is not usually checked in regular physical examinations.  Most of these can be checked with blood tests and this type of hair loss is usually reversible.

Treatments for hair loss –

Derma roller:- by using a derma roller on the scalp new collagen is synthesized and various growth factors are released which help in hair growth. Derma roller can be used in combination with various products and can be very effective.

LLLT – Low Level Laser Therapy is one of the most advanced hair loss treatments available that can help men and women who are suffering from hair loss achieve fuller and thicker hair. Using what’s referred to as a “soft” laser, Low Level Laser Therapy works to stabilize further hair loss in up to 90% of patients, and typically stimulates hair re-growth in approximately 50% of male and female patients. It is a non surgical treatment that applies infrared light therapy to a person’s scalp to stimulate his/her hair growth.

Stem Cell & Anti Hair loss Mesotherapy:- This is a latest therapy for hair re-growth and is considered very effective and long lasting. Under stem cell therapy the pores of the scalp are filled with stem cells and as a result new hair growth becomes possible. It is found to be absolutely safe and effective procedure to both men and women. The stem cells encourage new hair growth within 3-4 months of therapy.

Information about hair:-

• The normal rate of hair loss is 50-100 hairs a day (having 100.000 hairs on the scalp on average, then almost 10.000 of them are in the Telogen Phase and 1% of those -100 hairs-can be daily released from hair follicles)

• The number of hair follicles on our scalp is genetically predefined and reduces during one΄s lifetime

• Hair follicles need almost 6 months to replace a released hair with a new one

• Each hair follicle produces approximately 20 hairs during its lifetime

• Each hair can have a lifetime up to 7 years

• Hair grows more than ½ inch per month on average, with a slightly faster rate for women and a slightly slower one for specific categories – old aged, chronic patients etc

• Many of our hairs may grow even more than 1m in their lifetime

• People with red hair have approximately 90.000 hairs on scalp, fair -haired 140.000 hairs and dark or brown haired fluctuate inbetween

• The most qualitative hair growth takes places from puberty to the age of 30. As man ages, hair growth rate decelerates

• The pigment Melanin defines hair colour. There are 2 types of melanin: Eumelanin pigments black and brown hair and Pheomelanin pigments blond and red hair

• Hair gets gray or white when cells that produce melanin decrease or stop its production

• During summer, hair growth rate accelerates and hair grows faster: high temperature increases the speed of reactions and operations in hair follicles

• During day, hair growth rate is more intense

• Healthy hair is characterized by increased flexibility: if streched, it can elongate by an additional 30% of its length without breaking