64 Vasilissis Sofias, Athens
Hair loss is a condition that can appear in different forms depending on what is causing it. It can be sudden (acute) or chronic and be transient or permanent.
To some extent hair loss is normal and related to age, heredity, medical conditions, hormones, dietary and daily habits or even the season of the year.
The most common cause of significant hair loss is androgenetic alopecia. It is, in fact, a problem that, although it more often concerns men, it can also occur in many women, especially after menopause.
To understand the concept of hair loss, it is worth looking briefly at the life cycle of hair. On our head we have 100,000-150,000 hairs and every day we normally lose between 100 and 250 hairs.
Hair is made up of protein (keratin) and grows inside hair follicles, which are located under the skin. Each follicle follows its own course 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 in which the hair grows and lasts from two to six years, proceeds to the catagen growth phase that lasts a few weeks and ends with the telogen phase. This is the final phase of a hair's life, it lasts two to three months, and at the end of it the hair falls out and a new stem begins to grow inside the hair follicle.
In the normal scalp showing no symptoms of hair loss, 90% hairs are in the regeneration 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 stage of life the hairs are is called trichoscopy (digital) or trihorizogram (when the hairs are examined under the microscope).
It is not a myth, after the summer hair loss is increased. July is statistically considered to be the month of hair rest, which indicates that hair begins to fall more towards the end of summer in the autumn months and less in the spring months. Postpartum women may also experience increased hair loss, as pregnancy hormones affect hair growth phases and delay telogenesis. Thus, when the hormonal balance is restored, the natural hair loss is accelerated.
Stress has been found to be directly related to this condition. Sometimes it can be dramatic, with significant loss within days or weeks (telogen alopecia). Nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances are also associated with increased hair loss. Some people may habitually pull their hair, leading to thinning of a specific area (trichotillomania) while the possibility that chronic traction (eg pulling on 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 notice areas of hair loss (which may or may not be accompanied by a local rash and itching), then it's a good idea to talk to your dermatologist.
The doctor will take your personal and family medical history and with a series of tests will arrive at the diagnosis and appropriate treatment for hair loss.
Hair loss is one
situation that can
appear with different
forms depending on what the
causes
Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic disease and it is believed that the predisposition to it is hereditary.
Hair loss is one
situation that can
appear with different
forms depending on what the
causes
Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic disease and it is believed that the predisposition to it is hereditary.
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64 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue 115 28 Athens 210 72 91 711 info@dermoiatriki.com