Why I Am Losing My Hair?
Hair loss or alopecia is a temporary or permanent loss of hair that mainly affects men but is also observed in women. Hair loss is associated with disorders that affect your scalp or the entire body such as illness, stress, iron deficiency, genetics, weight loss, aging, cancer treatment, and lifestyle.
1. What Is the Biology of Hair Growth?
Hair is made of a filament protein called keratin that is produced by the hair follicle found in the skin dermis and contains specific stem cells. Hair follicles are dynamic structures that follow a cycle that leads to hair renewal.
This cycle follows a sequence of rapid growth (anagen), regression (catagen), and resting periods (telogen) of about 100 days. Following this sequence, older cells in the follicles are pushed upward to the surface of the skin and replaced by new cells [1]. Although without noticing a difference, we lose about 50-100 hairs per day.
2. What Causes Hair Loss?
A. Illness and Hair Loss
- Telogen Effluvium: This condition is associated with an excessive resting period of the hair renewal process which is related to the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle. Telogen Effluvium is caused by many conditions such as surgery, stress, thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, physical injury, changes in diet and weight loss, and hormonal changes [2].
- Autoimmune diseases (Alopecia Areata): In autoimmune diseases, our immune cells should target foreign invaders such as pathogens, and start attacking hair follicles leading to hair loss [3].
- Fungal infection (Tinea Capitis): Although it mainly affects children, this type of hair loss is caused by dermatophyte fungi that target the scalp leading to large inflammation, pustular plaques, and extensive hair loss [4].
- Thyroid disorders (Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism): Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism have been reported to increase the number of telogen hairs [5].
- Sex hormone imbalance: This is also known as androgenic alopecia, where large hair follicles are induced to become smaller by the excessive secretion of the androgen steroid hormone, dihydrotestosterone [6].
B. Weight Loss and Hair Loss
A sudden weight loss associated with decreased protein intake and vitamin B3 deficiency has been associated with acute telogen effluvium. Additionally, associations between weight loss-related nutritional deficiencies, chronic telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia (AGA), female pattern hair loss (FPHL), and alopecia areata, have also been reported [7].
C. Stress and Hair Loss
Acute and chronic stress has been reported as an inducer of telogen effluvium. Several stress hormones, such as catecholamines, prolactin, ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone), CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone), b-endorphins, and glucocorticoids, and neuropeptides such as substance P are directly or indirectly in affecting the function of hair follicles [8].
D. Iron Deficiency and Hair Loss
Iron is a cofactor for ribonucleotide reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme for DNA synthesis. As hair follicle cells are rapidly dividing cells, their need for DNA synthesis increases, and therefore, iron deficiency can reduce the number of hair follicles produced [9].
E. Cancer Treatment and Hair Loss
Cancer cells are highly growing cells and to slow down or block their growth, chemotherapy is used as treatment. Chemotherapeutic compounds intercalate between the DNA of cancer cells which slow down their growth or trigger their cell death. However, as hair follicle cells are also highly growing cells, chemotherapy may also affect their growth [10].
F. Genetics and Hair Loss
An association between genetic variability of the androgen receptor (AR) a genetic predisposition for androgenic alopecia and male-pattern baldness has been reported. Analysis of the AR locus (gene position on the chromosome) on chromosome X (in both males and females), found that polyglycine-encoding GGN repeat is likely responsible [11].
3. What Are the Symptoms of Hair Loss?
Depending on the causes, hair loss can manifest in different ways:
- Age-related gradual thinning on top of the head.
- Circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp.
- Stress- and emotional-induced sudden loosening of hair.
- Full-body hair loss associated with chemotherapy.
- Patches that spread over the scalp are caused by fungal infections.
4. What is the Treatment for Hair Loss?
Most treatments for hair loss are associated with the determination of the underlying causes; however, some require lifestyle changes, while others involve medications.
- Reduce stress If the hair loss has stress-related origins.
- If on the diet for weight loss, it is essential to choose a diet that has enough proteins, vitamins, and iron.
- Hair loss should stop following the end of the chemotherapy.
- In cases where the hair loss is permanent (e.g., surgery, physical injury), life would be much easier if you accept your appearance and live with it.
- For genetic causes of hair loss such as androgenic alopecia and male-pattern baldness, a hair lotion containing minoxidil is used. Male-pattern baldness (men) is also treated with finasteride.
- Other treatment for hair loss involves injection or skin application of steroids, artificial hair transplant, and hair transplant.
Frequently Asked Questions Answers about Why I Am Losing My Hair?
Why am I losing my hair?
Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors including genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors.
Is hair loss hereditary?
Yes, hereditary hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common cause of hair loss and is often passed down through generations.
Can stress cause hair loss?
Yes, stress can trigger hair loss, especially in individuals who are genetically predisposed to it. This type of hair loss is often temporary and can be reversed with stress management techniques.
Are there any medical conditions that can cause hair loss?
Yes, medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, and scalp infections can contribute to hair loss.
Can medications cause hair loss?
Yes, certain medications, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, and heart problems, can cause hair loss as a side effect.
How can I prevent hair loss?
While some causes of hair loss are unavoidable, you can minimize the risk by maintaining a healthy diet, reducing stress, avoiding harsh treatments and styles, and using gentle hair care products.
Is hair loss reversible?
It depends on the cause of the hair loss. Some types of hair loss, such as those caused by stress or certain medications, may be reversible once the underlying cause is addressed.
However, hereditary hair loss may be more challenging to reverse but can often be managed with treatments to slow down the progression.
What treatments are available for hair loss?
Treatment options for hair loss include medications like minoxidil and finasteride, hair transplant surgery, low-level laser therapy, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. The most suitable treatment will depend on the cause and severity of your hair loss.
When should I see a doctor about my hair loss?
It’s advisable to see a doctor if you notice sudden or severe hair loss, hair loss accompanied by itching or pain, hair loss at a young age, or if you have other symptoms such as fatigue or weight loss, as these could indicate an underlying medical condition.
Are there any natural remedies for hair loss?
Some people find relief from hair loss with natural remedies such as essential oils, scalp massages, and dietary supplements like biotin and saw palmetto.
However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before trying any natural remedies to ensure they are safe and effective for you.
Conclusion
Although most hair loss is temporary, losing hair can be extremely stressful as it is part of who we are, and how we look. Most cases of hair loss can be treated, however, other therapeutic approaches exist and are being developed for permanent hair loss.
References
[4] Hay, R.J., 2017. Tinea capitis: current status. Mycopathologia, 182(1), pp.87-93.
[10] Botchkarev, V.A., 2003, June. Molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced hair loss. In Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings (Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 72-75). Elsevier.[11] Hillmer, A.M., Hanneken, S., Ritzmann, S., Becker, T., Freudenberg, J., Brockschmidt, F.F., Flaquer, A., Freudenberg-Hua, Y., Abou Jamra, R., Metzen, C. and Heyn, U., 2005. Genetic variation in the human androgen receptor gene is the major determinant of common early-onset androgenetic alopecia. The American Journal of Human Genetics, 77(1), pp.140-148.
