Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

As a hair stylist and salon owner, I am frequently asked, “Why do you think I’m losing my hair and what can I do about it?” In truth, there are several reasons that a person may experience hair loss; whether temporarily or permanently. So, for your convenience, I have put together a list of several reasons that the average person may be experiencing hair loss.

There are seven major reasons that you might experience premature hair loss and these reasons are as follows:

1. Acne is the inflammation of the sebaceous glands from retained secretion and is associated with hormone byproducts. Acne is an indication of hormonal imbalances that often lead to premature hair loss.
2. Seborrhea is a functional disease of the sebaceous glands that produces excess sebum, which builds up on the scalp. An over production of sebum is a warning sign indicating the same hormonal imbalances that lead to hair loss.
3. Alopecia Aerate is a systemic, non-hormonal cause of hair loss triggered by genetics, diet and stress and is characterized as bald spots that inadvertently come and go and can include permanent hair loss.
4. Excessive daily hair loss is when 50 or more hairs per day are lost and not replaced at the same rate, indicating potential hair loss problems.
5. Excessive body hair for men indicates a greater chance of premature hair loss; 50% greater risk if a man has complete chest hair; 70% greater risk if a man has chest, shoulder and back hair; and 90% greater risk if a man has total body hair.
6. Excessive or sudden appearance of body hair in women can indicate an imbalance in hormones. This same hormonal imbalance can cause premature hair loss.
7. Genetic predisposition of hormonal levels as well as the conversion of testosterone into Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can be inherited from either your mother’s or your father’s side of the family. A common family predisposition involves natural, age-related hormonal changes that can cause hair loss.

Other contributing factors:

• Stress and trauma are prone to produce increased levels of testosterone, which converts to DHT, and interrupts the hair growth cycle, constricting the blood supply, oxygen and nutrient uptake and vitamins to the hair follicle, resulting in hair loss.
• Nutrition and diet play a significant role in hair loss whereby a high consumption of animal fats, rapid weight loss and liquid protein diets can create a lack of amino acids, biotin, iron, protein and zinc — all of which are essential to healthy hair.
• Health issues such as a malfunctioning of the hormone producing thyroid and natural hormonal changes in women due to pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, can trigger hair loss.
• Medications such as birth-control or any hormone therapy can contribute to hair loss as the hair follicle is incredibly sensitive to changes. Steroids, specific chemotherapies as well as many blood pressure, diabetic, heart disease and acne medications can cause temporary or permanent hair loss.
• Environmental factors such as toxins, air and water pollutants, chlorine, metals and minerals may be left on the scalp and hair as we wash with water every day. Pollutants such as pseudo-estrogens and toxins from within our body can also contribute to hair loss.

Just remember, it is always best to consult with a doctor if you are experiencing excessive or abnormal hair loss.