Hair loss ,cause ,Treatments

What is hair loss ?

Hair loss also known as alopecia or baldness, refers to a loss of hair from part of the head or body. Typically at least the head is involved. The severity of hair loss can vary from a small area to the entire body.Typically inflammation or scarring is not present.Hair loss in some people causes psychological distress.


Common types :

Male pattern hair loss
Female pattern hair loss

Alopecia areata

and a thinning of hair known as telogen effluvium The cause of male-pattern hair loss is a combination of genetics and male hormones the cause of female pattern hair loss is unclear, the cause of alopecia areata is autoimmune and the cause of telogen effluvium is typically a physically or psychologically stressful event.Telogen effluvium is very common following pregnancy

Although not completely understood,hair loss can have many causes:Pattern hair loss

Male pattern hair loss is believed to be due to a combination of genetics and the male harmone dihydrotestosterone. The cause in female pattern hair loss remains unclear.
Infection
Dissecting cellulitis
Fungal infections (such as tinia capitis)
Folliculitis
Secondary syphilis
a microscopic mite that feeds on the sebum produced by the sebaceous gland , denies hair essential nutrients and can cause thinning. Demodex folliculorum is not present on every scalp and is more likely to live in an excessively oily scalp environment.
Drugs
Temporary or permanent hair loss can be caused by several medications, including those for blood pressure problems, diabetes , heartdisease and cholesterol.Any that affect the body’s hormone balance can have a pronounced effect: these include the contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy steroids and acne medications.
Some treatments used to cure mycotic infections can cause massive hair loss.
Medications (side effects from drugs, including chemotherapy anabolic steroids , and birth control pills

Trauma

Traction alopecia is most commonly found in people with ponytails or cornorows who pull on their hair with excessive force. In addition, rigorous brushing and heat styling, rough scalp massage can damage the cuticle ,the hard outer casing of the hair. This causes individual strands to become weak and break off, reducing overall hair volume.
Frictional alopecia is hair loss caused by rubbing of the hair or follicles, most infamously around the ankles of men from socks, where even if socks are no longer worn, the hair often will not grow back.
Trichotomelinia is the loss of hair caused by compulsive pulling and bending of the hairs. Onset of this disorder tends to begin around the onset of puberty and usually continues through adulthood. Due to the constant extraction of the hair roots, permanent hair loss can occur.
Traumas such as childbirth, major surgery, poisoning, and severe stress may cause a hair loss condition known as telogen effluvium in which a large number of hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, causing shedding and subsequent thinning. The condition also presents as a side effect of chemotherapy – while targeting dividing cancer cells, this treatment also affects hair’s growth phase with the result that almost 90% of hairs fall out soon after chemotherapy starts.
Radiation to the scalp, as when radiotherapy is applied to the head for the treatment of certain cancers there, can cause baldness of the irradiated areas.
Pregnancy

Hair loss often follows childbirth in the postpartum period without causing baldness. In this situation, the hair is actually thicker during pregnancy owing to increased circulating oestrogens. Approximately three months after giving birth (typically between 2 and 5 months), oestrogen levels drop and hair loss occurs, often particularly noticeably around the hairline and temple area. Hair typically grows back normally and treatment is not indicated. A similar situation occurs in women taking the fertility-stimulating drug chlomiphene.


Types of Hair Fall Treatment: There are many types of hair fall as well as alopecia. Each type can be cured with the usage of different types of medications. These may be homemade remedies, Ayurvedic, homeopathy, allopathic, naturopathy as well as products from the market.
1. Homeopathy for Hair Loss TreatmentHomeopathy is a popular medicinal practice widely used to control and address hair fall problems. It has been accepted as a safe way to stop or at least control hair fall. According to the Dr. Batras website, there are around 45 million men and 20 million women in India who have been affected by hair fall problems. Also they report that there has been an increase in hair loss cases by 250 per cent in the last five years. Even those in the age group of 16-25 have been affected.

Homeopathy is used to treat the hair fall from the roots so that it is highly effective.

At Dr. Batra’s clinics homeopathy is used to treat hair loss. While treating the patients each individual is given medication taking into account the nature of the disease, the temperament , the sensitivities etc, So that the medication is the best for each person.

It has been found that Thuja occidentalis and Sabal serrulatahave the power to be natural DHT inhibitors. This way, it controls and stops hair fall. It can also reverse hair fall in some cases. For best results, it is advised that one must personally consult a professional.


2. Naturo pathy Treatment for Hair Loss:
Nature is a very potent source for nutrition. From the very first stage of life, we depend on nature for many things which are a necessity to survive. The most basic treatment as prescribed by naturopathy is vitamin supplements. Nutrients like vitamin B and iron help in hair growth. Also grape seed oil is a great way to treat hair fall. Some herbs are also seen as a great way to stimulate blood flow in the scalp. These are ginkgo biloba and bilberry extracts. Also it has been found that saw palmetto is a great for hair loss. Using a blend of rosemary oil and olive oil is also good for hair. This is one of the best treatment for hair loss ever to be followed. It takes some time to produce results but the effects are certainly more permanent than any other form of hair loss treatment.

3. Common Treatments for Hair Fall:
Rogaine (minoxidil):
This is a very popular hair treatment to stop hair fall . This is a FDA approved medication which can be attained even without a prescription. This is a renowned drug and comes in liquid form as well as foam form. The topical solution must be rubbed onto the scalp twice daily. This has been found to be the most effective way to treat androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. This stops hair from falling and promotes hair growth.

This treatment for hair fall is effective for alopecia areata as well. Hair grows back in 12 months and stays as long as the medication is continued. The main problem of this medication is that the treatment has to be followed for long periods and whenever one stops, the results vanish.

Egg oil:
Egg is great for nutrition and should be a part of one’s daily diet. But it is also a great way for treatment for hair fall. In Japanese, Indian and Chinese traditional medicine, egg oil has been used for hair fall treatment since ancient times. Egg oil is great for the scalp as it nourishes the scalp and helps to promote hair growth. It reduces hair fall as well as helps to stop premature ageing.

It is also said to improve the hair texture and make hair thicker by reducing hair fall as well as reduce split ends and damage due to chemical colors used to dye hair. Today egg oil is easily available in many creams, lotions and in bottled state for usage. Regular usage helps to keep hair healthy and helps to control alopecia and hair fall.

Anthralin (dritho- scalp) :
This is an ointment to help control hairfall. It is applied to the scalp and then washed off after a certain amount of time. The application has to be done daily to see best results. This cream may take 6 to 12 months to show any significant results.
Aminomar C (viviscal):
Viviscal has patented this marine complex which is said to nourish hair follicle from within. Using aminomar c with supplements for 4-6 months has shown hair to become stronger and more vibrant. The treatment has also has shown significant signs of hair growth too. But there has been no proof as to how this works.

Corticosteroids :
This is a treatment for alopecia areata. The corticosteroid is injected into the scalp to stop hairfall. This method works quickly although if there is rapid hair loss. oral pills are also prescribed to tackle the hair loss. The results may take up to a month to be seen.
Hormonal Modulators:

Female pattern hair loss which may be the result of excessive malehormone secretion can be controlled with the use of oral contraceptives or antiandrogens. These help to reduce hair loss associated with hyperandrogenemia.
4. Surgical Options to Treat Alopecia:
Hair Transplant:
This is a surgical process that makes the scalp look fuller. In this process, a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon takes tiny plugs of skin containing hair, usually from the back or side of the scalp and implants into the hairless sections. The extent of baldness will decide how many sittings are necessary.
Scalp Reduction:
This is a process where the area of the bald skin is decreased on the head. With time the skin on the head becomes stretchable and flexible enough so that small sections of this skin can be removed surgically. After the hairless portion of scalp is removed the space is closed with hair. This procedure takes time to show results. Scalp reduction method is usually used in combination with hair transplantation. This ensures a natural looking


5. Drugstore Products for Hair Loss:
Dove Hair Fall Treatment:
Dove has launched some effective products for hair loss. They have launched a special range consisting of shampoos, conditioners, serums, masks and specially formulated intensive roots treatment. These products are specially designed keeping in mind the needs of the women who have been suffering from hair fall.

The new revolutionary treatment from Dove; namely intensive roots treatment contains trichazole which is active with ginseng & soy protein. This has been a scientifically proven formulation designed to treat hair fall from the roots. Trichazole, which is a ground breaking, patented active ingredient reduces the activity of the proteolytic enzymes, and firmly anchors the hair in place. This provides freedom from hair fall. This targeted root action results in visible reduction of hair fall within two weeks.
Pantene Hair Fall Control:

Pantene has also launched it’s hair fall range comprising of shampoo and conditioners. Also there is a daily rinse off treatment in this range. The daily rinse off provides daily deep strengthening and replenishment for brittle, damaged hair. This has to be used along with the shampoo and conditioner.
VLCC Hair Fall Control Kit:

This is a very popular kit comprising of four products. The kit contains amino gel, amino protein oil, amino protein pack and amino protein cleanser. This kit has been found to be effective when used daily for a long time.

Hope this article will help solve your hair loss problems. Do consult a hair specialist for proper treatment. Also follow a good diet with regular intake of green vegetables and nutrients. Also make it a habit to exercise everyday. Yoga helps to keep your mind and body healthy.