subject: The Top 3 Causes Of Hair Loss And How To Beat Them [print this page] Today you are going to lose 100 hairs, but don't worry, it's completely normal. Hair is constantly growing and falling out as part of the natural hair growth cycle of anagen (growing), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting) phases. Balding only occurs when this cycle is disrupted. That disruption usually occurs in one of three ways: genetics, hormones, and stress.
Genetic Hair Loss
The most common type of genetic loss is male and female pattern baldness. For men, this means a receding hairline, and loss of hair on the vertex (crown). For women, this means an overall thinning of the hair on the scalp.
Hormonal Hair Loss
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced naturally in our bodies. It is formed when testosterone mixes with an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase (5AR). As we age, some bodies produce more of these hormones, increasing the level of DHT. Increased DHT levels cause hair follicles to miniaturize, and eventually to stop growing.
Stress
The type of stress that causes hair loss is not necessarily psychological (pressure at home or work) but rather physiological (illness, nutritional, child birth), although these two conditions can be related. This type of balding is called telogen effluvium. It occurs when a a major stimulus shocks the body, and for an unknown reason a large number of hair follicles go into a resting phase (telogen) and shed all at once.
Treating Genetic, Hormonal, and Stress Related Hair Loss
There are several options for treating genetic and hormonal loss, but it is best to stick to FDA approved products like minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil is applied directly to the scalp, and should be applied twice per day. Men should use a 5% solution, while a 2% solution is best for women. Finasteride should be used in men only, and is taken once per day in pill form. Both minoxidil and finasteride work at lowering DHT in our bodies, and are effective at stopping hair loss (many people will also experience hair regrowth). Telogen effluvium will normally correct itself, with the lost hair being regrown within one year.
