Identify the common hair loss causes

Understanding the main hair loss causes will take you one step closer to dealing with your own hair loss symptoms.

It's amazing how many people undergo forms of hair loss treatment, often spending wads of cash, without first determining the true cause of their hair loss problems. Very often the end result is limited success and a lighter wallet.

Take the time to read this page and you'll be well on the way to finding an effective treatment to stimulate hair growth - one that meets your own particular needs. To examine each of the following hair loss causes in a little more detail, simply follow the relevant link.

Normal Hair Loss - It is a fact that some hair loss is normal as all hairs are shed at the end of their growth cycle. Hairs grow from follicles which can best be described as tiny organs in the skin. Each follicle grows a single hair that follows a typical cycle of:

1. Lengthy growth period

2. Short rest period

3. Act of shedding

At this point a new hair begins to grow thus repeating the cycle. For many, hair loss problems occur because each follicle follows a genetically programmed pattern of growth and rest. Some follicles are programmed to remain active for a shorter time than others resulting in the development of baldness patterns known by the medical term Androgenetic Alopecia.

Androgenetic Alopecia - This is generally recognized as the most common hair loss cause and may be responsible for over 95% of pattern hair loss for both men and women. It is usually associated with ageing and develops in predictable stages over varying periods of time. The good news is, there are some treatments that have proven to be effective in arresting and even reversing hair loss of this type. The bad news is, there are no miracle cures so successful reversal of androgenetic hair loss requires a little bit of effort and a lot of patience.

Alopecia Areata - This is an immune system disorder which causes follicles to stop producing hairs usually in patches on the head. In some cases alopecia areata can advance to the stage where all hair on the head is lost (alopecia totalis) or there is a complete absence of body hair (alopecia universalis).

Telogen Effluvium - This hair loss cause is typified by a slowing of new hair growth following a major stress inducing incident or event. This is followed by the delayed shedding of hair with the result that more follicles than normal enter the resting stage causing excessive numbers of those follicles to eventually shed hair at the same time.

Sudden Hair Loss

This is known as anagen effluvium and is typified by the sudden loss of growing hair as a result of external influences. The most common causes are chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a reaction to certain prescription drugs.

Other Causes

There are numerous other less common hair loss causes that should be discounted before you decide on a course of treatment. The good news is that most of these conditions are treatable once a correct diagnosis has been made. Traction alopecia is the loss of hair from constant pulling, usually as a result of hair styling. Broken hairs can result in thinner, albeit still growing hair and is often caused by excessive styling or exposure to chemicals and sun. Finally, certain severe illnesses or nutritional deficiencies may be associated with side effects that typically include degrees of hair loss.

Important Recommendation

Obviously the sooner you commence treating hair loss the better. Choose a suitable form of treatment, based on the knowledge you have gained from these pages and begin your chosen remedial program immediately.

To be completely sure that you have made the correct choice, undergo a test to confirm your hair loss causes. Several low cost testing options are readily available - ranging from Microscopic Hair Analysis to a full evaluation of your body's Hormone Levels, all from the comfort of your own home.