With age and time the risk that our hair will suffer through hair loss becomes greater. This is mainly due to hormonal changes that take place within our body and the decrease in the number of active hair follicles.
But this does not mean that young people will never suffer through hair loss. Hair loss occurs as a result of many factors including genetic, aging, skin disorders, diseases, medication etc. Following are different types of hair loss, which are categorized according to when they take place during the hair growth cycles. The three hair growth cycles are:
Telogen: This is the resting phase at the end of which some of the hairs on your scalp falls out which are replaced by new ones. These new hair are grown in the same hair follicle and so the cycle starts again.
Types of Hair Loss
1. Androgenic alopecia:
It is a very common type of hair loss, which can affect both the genders. This type of hair loss is hereditary and can be inherited from either side of the family. During this hair loss the hair growth decreases with time and the hair follicles grow hair that are thinner. In case of men the hair loss usually occur in the front and on the vertex of the scalp where as in women the overall growth is affected.
2. Alopecia areata:
This type of hair loss affects both men and women and occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles resulting in circular patches of baldness around the scalp. Mild form of Alopecia areata usually affects hair of the head only while in severe situation the whole body gets affected. Due to this type of hair loss the hair follicles enter the rest (telogen) phase too soon making the hair loss condition even worse.
3. Telogen effluvium:
This type of hair loss occurs when large numbers of hairs enter the resting phase (telogen) causing rapid shedding and thinning. It is also known as diffuse hair loss or Stress-Related Baldness in which more than 50% of the hair is affected, and the hair loss may continue up to 3 months. Some of the Causes of this type of hair loss include stress, recent surgery, illness, Poor nutrition, medications, hormonal changes and pregnancy, This is not a permanent type of hair loss and the growth phase comes back to normal once these causes overcomes.
4. Traction Alpoecia:
This type of hair loss occurs as a result of repeated pulling of the hair due to harsh brushing or hairstyles such as a tight ponytail, braids, knots etc. These hairstyles pull hair too tight affecting areas around the edge of the hairline making the hair loss noticeable around the face and forehead.
5. Trichotillomania:
This type of hair loss also occur due to excessive pulling on the hair but this pulling does not occur as a result of cosmetics but when people under going any complex emotional or mental problem pull their healthy hair out. This makes them feel relief and relax. During this period the person pulls hair out of the scalp, eyelashes, or eyebrows.
6.Male Pattern Baldness:
This type of hair loss affect 15% of American men at the age of 25 and 40% by 35. It is a natural hair loss and constitutes almost 95% of all male hair loss. The real cause of this type of hair loss is not known but it is said it occurs as a result of genes or hormones. If your fathers or four fathers have suffered through this type of hair loss then there are growing chances that you will undergo the same condition. During this hair loss, your hair begins to thin at the temples and at the crown eventually affecting the whole scalp.
7. Female Pattern Baldness:
Compared to male the ratio of female suffering through hair loss is low. As much as 20 million American women suffer from Female Pattern Baldness, which also occurs as a result of genetics. This type of hair loss can affect women as early as puberty, but usually occurs after menopause.
8. Anagen Effluviam:
This is a temporary type of hair loss that occurs when the chemicals used by an individual kills the hair follicles resulting in lost patches of hair. This type of hair loss usually occurs due to cancer drugs.
Poor diet and modern life style have negative effects on the health of a person including the growth cycle of the hair as well. The most safest and convenient way of treating all types of hair loss is to improve the intake of nutrition, proteins, and useful carbohydrates and diet fats, which will definitely minimize shedding and also support other treatments that encourage hair regrowth.