The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. This is the most common form of autoimmune skin disorder that can cause hair loss on your head. Often, it starts with small patches and continues to expand.

This condition affects more than 2% of the population and nearly 5 million people in the U.S. alone. Since it is a skin disorder, alopecia is typically diagnosed by a dermatologist. Thankfully, it does not come with any rash, hives or itching. That said, exposed skin does need to be cared for. Though the condition has been labeled an autoimmune disorder, studies have shown that it can be trigger or exacerbated by stress.

Hair normally grows at the rate of a fourth to half an inch each month. the repeating hair growth cycle can be interrupted by disease, genetics, medications and other environmental factors. When hair is in the anagen growth phase the follicle grows until the catagen phase that slows the growth. Then, the telegen phase lets the follicle rest until the cycle begins again. The new follicle that begins to grow will cause the old follicle to shed. At any given time about 10% of your hair follicles are in the resting phase.

So, what is an autoimmune disorder? The body has certain defense systems it uses to protect itself. The immune system can sometimes turn on itself and begin to defend against the body itself. When immune response is mistaken or misdirected it is called auto immunity. Alopcia occurs when your body attacks your hair follicles.

There are different types of alopecia. Alopecia tolalis is the type that causes total hair loss on the head. if hair loss extends to the body it is called alopecia universalis. The other, alopecia areata cause random patches of hair loss. In all forms of alopecia hair re-grwoth is possible.

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People use the phrase male pattern baldness often, but there is much more behind that phrase than meets the eye. Contrary to popular belief the science extends far beyond examining our father’s and grandfather’s hairlines. Scientist believe that male pattern baldness has been with mankind since the very beginning. Hair loss that occurs around the crown of the head is labeled as male pattern baldness.

Causes

- Genetics are a driving force in male pattern baldness, That said, the exact genetic link is yet to be identified. Certain genes are believed to be at fault, but nothing is 100% conclusive yet. Scientist have linked the gene for baldness to both mother and father.

- Age plays a role because it leads to overproduction of DHT, DHT causes hair to become thinner, weaker, grey and in some cases non-existant.

-Stress, diet, sleep patterns, smoking and drug use can all have an effect on your hair. In fact, researchers in Amsterdam noticed a significant acceleration in hair loss in places where Marijuana was legal.

- Medical conditions like lupus, diabetes and  heart disease can also cause hair loss.

Hair Cycle

Hair grows in cycles like any other type of human cell. It may grow for a period of up to 6 years, and then it may stop growing. It goes into a rest phase for a few months and new hair grows to take its place. This causes old hairs to shed. Then, the cycle begins again. The natural shed rate of hair is about 100 hairs per day. Hair that sheds at an accelerated rate or does not regrow after it sheds leads to hair loss. DHT deprives your hair of oxygen and nutrients causing them to slowly thin and stop growing.

Norwood Scale

Male pattern baldness is measured on the Norwood Scale. This ranges hair loss from minor top severe.  The Norwood Scale is used by doctors and hair loss specialists in order to classify you hair loss. It is useful in determining the progression and treatment of hair loss.

Treatment Options

Shampoos. topical treatments and pills, hair restoration is big business now. Generally, most people turn to over the counter products such as Rogaine as the first offensive step in the battle against hair loss. However, studies show these products require a long-term commitment because when use of them is discontinued hair loss resumes.

Some natural remedies for hair loss are applicable; including caffeine, saw palmetto, Chinese knotweed. All three have shown some promise in curing baldness.

Male pattern baldness can also be treated with laser technology. The laser helps increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the hair follicles. This helps improve nourishment of the follicles. Although laser therapy has a 90% success rate, that is only based on patients who still have living hair follicles.Once a hair follicle has died and altogether stopped hair production there is little chance it will be revived.

Follicular transplants are the gold standard of hair loss treatment. That said, they are also the most costly. This procedure uses hair harvested from one part of you head and moves it to the section that is bald. It generates natural results that can be treated naturally. No maintenance or up keep.

Summary

No one wants to be bald. Being bald can lead to a decrease in self-esteem and even depression. If you are dealing with hair loss consider visiting a hair restoration clinic near you. The clinic will be able to help you determine your best treatment option.

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Genetics must be addressed because they do play a role in hair loss for many people. However, contrary to popular belief you shouldn’t look to your father’s side of the family to determine your follicular future. The gene for hair loss actually comes from your mother’s side of the family. If you mother’s father was balding, chances are good that you may deal with male pattern baldness.

Some hormones can also play a role in hair loss for both men and women. This can occur when certain hormone levels are either too high or too low. Fluctuations in hormone levels can be caused by a number of different things. For instance, women may have problems with hormones after or during pregnancy. Menopause can also cause hair loss for some. Thyroid problems can cause significant hormone shifts. Addressing imbalanced hormone levels can help prevent further hair loss.

Medications can cause hair loss in some people as well. It is well documented that cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation cause hair loss in most patients. That said, many other medications can cause hair loss. For instance, some medications that cause hair loss would include medications for gout, blood thinners, birth control and antidepressants. Even vitamin A can cause hair loss in some people if it is taken in large quantities.

Hair loss can also occur as a result of certain medical conditions. Conditions such as lupus, diabetes and even fungal infections can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss often resolves itself once the condition is treated.

Lat, but certainly not least, hair loss can also be caused by environmental factors. For instance, the products we use our inundated with harmful chemicals that can damage our cells causing hair loss. What’s more, in adequate nourishment can also cause hair loss because hair needs certain vitamins and minerals to grow.

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One of the common cause of hair loss in women is hormonal. Women have hormonal changes and fluctuations throughout their life. They go through puberty, pregnancies, menopause and a host of changes that cause hormonal shifts. This hormonal shifts can cause hair loss in women. To combat hair loss in women you can use an ingredient like apple polyphenol because it blocks DHT. DHT is a byproduct of testosterone that causes hair loss.

Many women lose hair because of improper nutrition. That said simply altering the diet may not trigger hair re-growth in women. To get the nutrients from the diet to the hair follicle in the most expedient way you need to nourish the scalp by increasing the circulation of blood and oxygen. The easiest way to increase the circulation of blood and oxygen to the scalp is by using an antioxidant like green or red tea. In fact, green tea has shown more promise in help hair re-growth in women than most other natural hair re-growth elements. This is because it is also a anti-inflammatory. It get rids of inflammation and allows the follicles to be nourished by the anti-oxidants.

Women also cause their own hair loss in many cases. This is because women often use products that are harmful and damaging. They flat iron, blow dry, dye, perm, spray and tease their hair on a regular basis. These hair rituals cause the hair to become broken and damaged. In fact, even the shampoos and conditioners most women use are harmful to their hair. To prevent hair loss and promote hair re-growth in women use natural and organic products that nourish and repair the hair follicles and scalp.

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The most common cause of hair loss in men is related to their hormones. You see, when certain hormones are decrease or increase it can affect the process of hair growth. In men the most common hormone to cause hair loss is called DHT. DHT is a form of testosterone. When this hormone is increased it causes hair loss. So, to stop hair loss in men you need to block DHT. Most over the counter and prescription hair loss remedies use medications that block DHT. That said, you can also find hair re-growth products for men that block DHT. For example, apple polyphenols have a scientifically proven ability to block DHT.

Another common cause of hair loss in men is environmental. You see, over time the products we use and the pollution we are exposed to can affect our bodies ability to grow hair. These chemicals damage the hair follicles, block the hair follicles and even altogether stunt hair growth. If you can restore health to your scalp and hair follicles you will see an amazing reoccurrence of hair re-growth.

The easiest way to trigger hair re-growth in men is to get nourishment to your scalp and hair follicles. Unfortunately, you can eat as healthy as you want and take as many hair nourishing supplements as you want, but if those nutrients are not reaching the hair follicles or scalp they are as good as useless. That is why experts recommend increasing your circulation to your scalp when you want to trigger hair re-growth in men. The best way to increase the circulation of blood and oxygen to your scalp is by using an antioxidant. Green tea and red tea are two powerful antioxidants that work quite well for this purpose.

In addition to hair re-growth, it is also wise to prevent further hair loss. If you use products that are not damaging to the scalp and hair follicles you are one step ahead of the game. Try looking for products that stick with all natural and organic ingredients.

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Good nutrition is the first line of defense in preventing hair loss, and it is also the first and perhaps most important steps in treating it. Foods that are protein rich, low fat, low carb and rich in antioxidants can be extremely helpful to the process of hair growth. Fatty acids are also important for hair growth. Fatty acids are found in things like fish, canola oil, soy and walnuts. You can also take a fish oil or flaxseed supplement to get your needed essential fatty acids.

Nutrition and supplements work in combination with one another. Things like antioxidants and fatty acids promote healthy circulation to the scalp and reduce inflammation. This enables the nutrients from your food to reach your hair follicles and make them strong and healthy. Adding a B complex to your diet can also help treat hair loss naturally because B vitamins such as biotin are essential for healthy hair.

Certain herbs also make excellent natural hair loss treatments. For instance, scientific evidence suggests that saw palmetto may be just as effective a treatment for hair loss as prescription hair loss medications. This is because saw palmetto alters the hormones that cause hair loss in some people. Green tea also shows great promise in treating hair loss naturally because it too influences hormones that cause hair loss.

Hair care products can also play a role in hair loss and hair loss treatment. Products that damage your hair with their chemicals should be avoided. Those experiencing hair loss should opt for more natural gentle hair care products. This will prevent breakage, restore circulations to the scalp and help restore your hair. Harsh styling products, perms, dyes, shampoos with harsh ingredients, over use of harsh styling products and over use of heated hair appliances can damage the hair enough to cause breakage and hair loss. It is better to use things that are made from organic ingredients and be mindful of your dependency on potentially damaging styling products.

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