64 Vasilissis Sofias, Athens
Hair loss is a condition that can appear in different forms depending on what causes it. It can be sudden (acute) or chronic and it can be temporary or permanent.
To some extent, hair loss is normal and is related to age, heredity, medical conditions, hormones, dietary and daily habits, or even the time of year.
The most common cause of significant hair loss is androgenetic alopecia.. This is a problem that, although it more often affects men, can also occur in many women, especially after menopause.
To understand the concept of hair loss, it is worth briefly looking at the life cycle of hair. We have 100,000-150,000 hairs on our heads and we naturally lose 100 to 250 hairs every day.
Hair is made of protein (keratin) and grows in hair follicles, which are located under the skin. Each hair follicle follows its own path of growth, maturation and hair loss, which is why not all of our hair falls out at the same time. The life cycle of each hair begins with the anagen phase during which the hair grows and which lasts from two to six years, progresses to the catagen phase of growth which lasts a few weeks and ends with the telogen phase. This is the final phase of a hair's life, lasts two to three months, and at the end of it the hair falls out and within the hair follicle the growth of a new stem begins.
In a normal scalp that does not show symptoms of hair loss, 90% of the hairs are in the anagen phase and 10% are in the telogen phase. Hair loss occurs when the percentage of hairs in the telogen phase exceeds 20%. The test that shows us in which phase of life the hairs are is called trichoscopy (digitally) or trichorrhizogram (when the hairs are examined under a microscope).
It is not a myth that hair loss increases after summer. July is statistically considered the month of hair rest, which suggests that hair begins to fall out more towards the end of summer in the autumn months and less in the spring months. Women may also notice increased hair loss after childbirth, as during pregnancy hormones affect the hair growth phases and delay telogenesis. Thus, when hormonal balance is restored, natural hair loss accelerates.
Stress has been found to be directly related to this condition. Sometimes it can be dramatic, with significant loss within days or weeks (telogen effluvium)Nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances are also associated with increased hair loss. Some people may habitually pull their hair, leading to thinning in a specific area (trichotillomania) while the possibility that chronic pulling (e.g. pulling in a bun) can lead to hair thinning also exists (traction alopecia)Hair loss in the form of patches within the scalp can be alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that affects hair follicles and also occurs in men and women.
If you notice increased generalized hair loss for more than two months or if you find hairless patches on your scalp (which may or may not be accompanied by a local rash and itching), then it is a good idea to talk to your dermatologist.
The doctor will take your personal and family medical history and, through a series of tests, will arrive at a diagnosis and appropriate treatment for hair loss.
Hair loss is a
situation that can
appear with different
forms depending on what it is
causes.
Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic disease and it is believed that the predisposition to occur is hereditary.
With hair transplantation
we can achieve a
stable and permanent result.
Hair loss is a
situation that can
appear with different
forms depending on what it is
causes.
Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic disease and it is believed that the predisposition to occur is hereditary.
Monday – Friday: 14:00 – 20:00 Saturday: 9:00 – 15:00
64 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue 115 28 Athens 210 72 91 711 info@dermoiatriki.com
