There are a host of reasons you might find yourself experiencing hair loss. If you find you are experiencing symptoms like bald spots, shedding more hair than usual or that your hair parting is widening, it can leave you wondering just why this is. Hair loss – also known as alopecia – can affect your scalp or body, can be short or long-term, and can result from many factors.
Temporary hair loss might be due to things such as stress and anxiety or hormonal changes, while more permanent hair loss might have your genes to blame. Here we take a look into the causes of hair loss and the symptoms you might experience.
What are the symptoms of hair loss?
Humans have hair all over their bodies, with about 95% of our total skin surface area covered in it. The head alone has over 100,000 hair follicles, each composed of the cuticle, the cortex and the medulla. Women’s hair tends to grow faster than men’s, and the age when hair grows the fastest is between 15 and 30.
Some of the symptoms of hair loss can include:
Patchy bald spots: If you discover patchy bald spots, this could be a sign of hair loss. Areas of your scalp might feel itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
Hair falling out: While it’s normal to shed some hair, if it’s coming out in clumps, this could be a sign that you have a deeper-rooted cause.
Gradual thinning and a wider parting: This might be noticeable at the front of your head where your hairline is receding, or you might find that your parting is wider than it used to be. Both are signs that you are experiencing hair loss.
What are the causes of hair loss?
The definitive cause of hair loss isn’t a precise science, and doctors aren’t quite sure why some hair follicles grow for less time than others. However, some of the main factors that contribute to hair loss include:
Hormone fluctuations: If you have a sudden change in your hormone levels, this can cause your hair to fall out. Some women experience this after giving birth or even during their period.
Genetics: This is one you can’t help as genetics can play a part in things such as male pattern baldness and how prone you are to hair loss or shedding.
Stress and illness: High levels of cortisol (caused by stress) and a lowered immune system (due to illness) can both contribute to hair loss.
Pharmaceutical Drugs: Drugs such as chemotherapy, blood thinners and birth control pills have all been found to make you lose your hair.
If you’re dealing with hair loss, Custom Hair can help. To schedule a free consultation, click here.
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