| It is normal to shed hair every day and the truth | | | | Another way in which individuals experience hair |
| is we loose between 100-125 hairs on any given | | | | loss is due to mechanical stressors on the hair and |
| day. Hair that is shed falls out at the end of | | | | scalp. Wearing pigtails, cornrows or tight rollers |
| growth cycle. At any given time 10% of our hair | | | | that end up pull on the hair can scar the scalp and |
| is in what is called a "resting phase" and after 2-3 | | | | cause permanent hair loss. Hair products such as |
| months resting, hair falls out and new hair grows | | | | hot oil treatments and chemicals used for |
| in its place. Some people, however, experience | | | | permanents can cause inflammation to the hair |
| more hair loss than is normal. | | | | follicles which can also result in scarring and hair |
| As we get older, both men and women | | | | loss. |
| experience some hair loss. It's a normal part of | | | | Note: Hair loss may be the early warning sign of a |
| the aging process. Called Androgenetic Alopecia, it | | | | more serious disorder such as lupus or diabetes, |
| accounts for 95% of all hair loss. Androgentic | | | | so it is important to talk to your doctor. |
| Alopecia often runs in families and affects some | | | | Recommendations For Wellness |
| people more than others. In men it is often | | | | If you are taking prescription medications, talk to |
| referred to as Male Pattern Baldness. It is | | | | your doctor and find out if your medication is |
| characterized by a receding hair line and baldness | | | | contributing to your hair loss. |
| on the top of head. Women, on the other hand, | | | | Avoid mega-doses of vitamin A. Too much |
| don't go entirely bald even if their hair loss is | | | | vitamin A can cause your hair to fall out. |
| severe. Instead, hair loss is spread out evenly | | | | Exercise, do yoga, meditate or find some other |
| over their entire scalp. | | | | practice that will help to reduce your anxiety and |
| Hormones play the dominant role when talking | | | | stress levels. |
| about Androgenetic Alopecia. Simple put, both | | | | If you are a women, have your female hormones |
| men and women produce testosterone. | | | | tested. If they are imbalanced, talk to your health |
| Testosterone can be converted to | | | | care provider about bio-identical hormone |
| dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with the aid of the | | | | replacements. |
| enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT shrinks hair | | | | If you wear pigtails, cornrows, use a curling iron, |
| follicles causing the membranes in the scalp to | | | | hair dryer or hot rollers, try changing your hair |
| thicken, become inelastic and restrict blood flow. | | | | style to one that puts less pressure and stress on |
| This causes the hair follicles to atrophy. As a | | | | your hair and scalp. |
| result, when a hair does fall out, it is not replaced. | | | | If hot oil treatments or chemicals such as those |
| Needless to say, men produce more testosterone | | | | used in permanents are causing inflammation to |
| than women and experience more hair loss. | | | | the scalp, discontinue their use, or reduce the |
| While Androgenetic Alopecia is the number one | | | | number of times you are using them. |
| reason why individuals experience hair loss, it is | | | | Use gentle shampoos and conditioners to avoid |
| not the only one. Medical conditions such as | | | | any unnecessary damage to your hair. |
| hypothyroidism, ringworm and fungal infections | | | | In men, herbs such as saw palmetto and licorice |
| can cause hair loss. Certain medications such as | | | | root help block the formation of DHT. The same |
| blood thinners, gout medication, birth control pills | | | | holds true for supplementation with zinc. As an |
| and too much vitamin A can cause sudden or | | | | added benefit, studies show that these |
| abnormal hair loss as can following a crash diet, | | | | supplements can also help prevent prostate |
| sudden hormonal changes, chemotherapy and | | | | enlargement. |
| radiation. | | | | Massage your scalp with rosemary oil in an olive |
| Emotional stress, pregnancy, or surgery can also | | | | oil base. Both rosemary oil and massaging the |
| cause our hair to fall out and is usually not noticed | | | | scalp can stimulate the circulation in the scalp and |
| until 3-4 months after the stressful event has | | | | promote hair growth. |
| taken place. Stress can cause a slowing of new | | | | Again, if you are experiencing hair loss, check with |
| hair growth because a larger number of hair | | | | your doctor to ensure that a more serious |
| follicles enter into the resting phase and no new | | | | disorder isn't the cause. |
| hair growth is experienced. | | | | |