How does baldness occur? Over time, hair goes through alternating growth and rest cycles. The cycle length varies for everyone, but typically the growing phase lasts a few months, and is then followed by a brief resting phase. The hair falls out when the resting phase is over, and a new hair comes in at the next growth cycle. This is a normal process, and the average person sheds dozens of hairs every day. In some people, however, the loss rate is faster than the regrowth rates, which results in areas of the scalp that have little or no hair.
Permanent causes of hair loss
- Pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss, and can occur in both men and women. This form of hair loss is genetically related, as heredity affects what age you begin permanently losing hair and how quickly the loss progresses. Propecia is commonly used to effectively treat male pattern baldness.
- Another type of permanent hair loss occurs when damage or inflammation affects the hair follicle itself, preventing new growth. This can be related to certain skin conditions, or some autoimmune disorders.
Temporary causes of hair loss
- Certain autoimmune disorders, viruses, and even severe emotional or physical shock can also cause hair loss. In most cases, the hair usually grows back once the underlying issues are resolved. Propecia is designed to foster regrowth.
- Certain lifestyle elements, such as having poor nutrition, or excessive damage due to restrictive or damaging hairstyling, can also accelerate hair loss and slow regrowth.
- Some medications can cause hair loss, as well as medical treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy.
- Physical conditions such as hormone fluctuations or systemic diseases like diabetes or lupus can also cause hair loss. There is also a psychological condition which manifests as obsessive plucking of hairs which results in bald patches on the scalp or elsewhere on the body.
Seeking Help For those suffering from hair loss as a result of one of the temporary indications listed above, there is comfort in knowing that very often, the hair will come back in on its own once the underlying issues are resolved. In cases of both temporary and permanent hair loss, Propecia can be used to slow down the damage even after it’s already begun, and promote new hair regrowth.
