Cause Of Hair Loss - A Comprehensive 13 Point Checklist

There may not be a single cause of hair loss in many cases but rather a number of factors may contribute to thinning or losing hair.

The following 13 point checklist will help you identify which causes of hair loss may apply in your case. But first a word about hair growth cycles.

Hair Growth Cycles

Hair is constantly going through cycles of growth, resting, shedding. When hairs that are lost are not replaced, or when more hair follicles go into the resting phase, hair loss becomes noticeable.

While there is ongoing debate regarding causes of hair loss, the list below shows many of the common contributing factors:

#1: Ageing

The period for hair loss is between the 20 and 50 years of age. Some individuals arrive at the advance stages of hair loss sooner than others although it becomes increasingly evident as people advance in age.

#2: Cosmetic Chemicals

This can be an unrecognized cause of hair loss, especially bleaching, permanents, and coloring products.

#3: Drugs/Medications/Radiation

This cause of hair loss can include anticoagulants, antidepressants, contraceptive pills, amphetamines, some arthritis medications, some antibiotics, some blood thinners, medicines for gout, drugs derived from vitamin-A, certain drugs for ulcers, beta blocker drugs for high blood pressure.

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy halt the growth phase of hair follicles which results in a sudden hair loss as those follicles all shed their hair at about the same time.

#4: Heredity

Androgenetic alopecia is the term used to describe a genetic predisposition in men and women for pattern baldness or pattern hair loss. Although there is a dominant tendency for male pattern baldness, female members of a family can be transmitters as well.

#5: Hormonal Imbalance

If the male and female hormones, androgens and estrogens, are out of balance, hair loss may result. Also an overactive or underactive thyroid gland can contribute to hair loss.

#6: Illness and Severe Infections 

These can include scalp fungal infections, Thyroid disorders, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, Diabetes, Lupus.

#7: Immune System Disorder

Alopecia areata is an immune system disorder which causes hair follicles to stop producing hairs. Advanced forms of the disorder are identified by the terms alopecia totalis when all head hair disappears, and alopecia universalis which results in all body hair disappearing.

#8: Menopause

This can be a main cause of hair loss in women. Due to hormonal changes after menopause, some women find their hair begins to thin.

There are a variety of treatments available involving hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There may be side effects in some cases and experimentation may be necessary under the guidance of a physician.

#9: Poor Blood Circulation

Poor blood flow to the scalp, insufficient nutrients in the blood, or poor drainage of waste products through the lymphatic systems can all contribute to hair loss.

#10: Pregnancy

Three to six months after delivering a child, many women notice a degree of hair loss as the hair goes into a resting phase because of the physiological impact of the pregnancy on the body.

#11: Pulling

Traction Alopecia is the term used to describe loss of hair from constant pulling, as with tightly braided hair styles such as pony tails.

Also the improper use of curling tongs or rollers can tug the hair so it weakens.

#12: Sebum Buildup

A basic cause of hair loss is sebum buildup in the follicles which attacks the hair bulb, the rounded area at the end of a hair strand which is rooted in the follicle. Sebum causes the hair bulb to shrink so the hair is not as well rooted.

After the hair falls out the new hair strand growing in that follicle is weaker and thinner and the process is repeated until the hair follicle is so damaged it dies. (Sebum is a fatty substance secreted from the sebaceous glands most of which open into hair follicles.)

#13: Stress and Nervous Disorders

Telogen Effluvium is the term used for a slowing down of new hair growth because of sudden or severe stress. The stress triggers a large number of hair follicles to enter the resting stage, so a few months after the stressful event, those follicles shed hair at about the same time.

From the list above you may be able to identify the main cause of hair loss in your case. Don't hesitate to get professional advice from a medical practitioner if the reason is beyond your direct control. Early action can save much anxiety later!

Discover Guaranteed Secret Hair Loss Prevention Method Who Else Wants To Stop Their Hair Loss!

If you are going bald or notice that your hair is starting to thin, there are a number of excellent hair loss prevention measures you can take to stop the thinning and hair loss. Most of us have heard that too much hat-wearing or poor circulation to the scalp can cause hair loss. Ladies, over-treated hair is the leading cause of hair loss in women.

Other Causes - Anemia, anorexia, bulimia, excess vitamin A, fungal infections, and zinc or fatty acid deficiency can also be the cause of hair loss in women. Medication - Some anti-depressants, blood thinners and medications for the treatment of gout can cause hair loss, as can excess Vitamin A. Medication - Several medications can cause or contribute to female hair loss, including anti-depressants, blood thinners, birth control pills, anti-cholesterol drugs and chemotherapy drugs.

Hormones - The human body contains an assortment of hormones, both male and female, that can become imbalanced and cause hair loss. Most normal hair loss commonly referred to as "Male Pattern Baldness" is caused by your genetic make-up that you inherited from both of your parents and as the natural process of aging causing your body hormones to decrease or stop the growth cycle of hair follicles. He Shou Wu is embraced by the Chinese, this herbal remedy has been known to reduce the effects of hair loss, as it's been said to delay the process.

A natural hair loss remedy provides a non evasive treatment method, without the use of medications and other methods that may result in side effects. These hair loss laser treatment devises are hand held and prescribed for use many times in a month to attain positive benefits of preventing hair loss and infusing hair growth. Unfortunately, a typical 'stressed' hair loss sufferer will probably proceed to spending half their lives desperately searching for a miracle cure and spending half their salaries each month paying for it.

Many women past 50 find that when they raise their levels of DHEA back up to the range for a normal 30- or 40-year-old woman, it not only slows or stops hair loss, but it can actually help re-grow new hair. The causes of hair loss can range from medical conditions to damage caused by extreme hairstyles or harsh hair care. Although the causes of women's hair loss vary from person to person, by understanding the common causes of female hair loss, this can help you find the right potential treatment or solution.

Hereditary thinning, or androgenetic alopecia to give its medical name, is the most common cause of women's hair loss. Natural Hair Loss is NOT caused by combing or shampooing, though rough treatment of the hair may contribute to some hair loss, though they certainly are not the root cause for most human hair loss. Finasteride, Minoxidil, and Rogaine are the more popular hair loss drug products available today to stop or prevent hair loss.

With these possible side effects linked to hair loss drug products, more and more hair loss sufferers are turning to natural hair loss remedies to prevent or stop hair loss. There are many new hair treatments and products available, which help in hair growth and prevent hair loss. Herbal hair loss treatments have been proven effective for decades and in some cases even centuries.

We suggest you use only proven and well known hair loss treatments to stop hair loss and regrow hair. If you suffer from hair loss or thinning hair or just want to keep your hair healthy and strong, it is recommended to use herbal hair loss treatments. Since we also know that hair loss is closely related to testosterone activity, it is very often recommended that any Hair Loss Treatment Plan include a DHT blocker and Saw Palmetto as an herbal supplement.

It appears that even genetic hair loss is in some way influenced by the hormone testosterone. Male-pattern-baldness, the type we associate with familial ties, is typically blamed on the paternal lineage, but there is an increasing body of scientific evidence supporting the idea that this type of hereditary hair loss may in fact be a product of the maternal lineage. Alopecia areata is a kind of skin disease, which could lead to bald patches on the head and could progress to hair loss in the whole body.

There are lots of hair loss products available on the internet which can be purchased, but consulting a dermatologist would help a lot. When a man goes to the local pharmacy to pick up his products for the treatment of hair loss he is bringing his problem out into the public. Lastly, male hormones called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is known to be the most common reason for male pattern hair loss.

There are three types of hair loss; thyroid hair loss, autoimmune alopecia, and male pattern hair loss. A popular and very viable treatment option for hair loss, especially in men with male pattern baldness, is surgical hair replacement. The most common treatment option for hair loss in women is the use of an over-the-counter drug, Minoxilil, commonly known as Rogain.

The most common hair loss treatment for both men and women is the use of Minoxilil, better known as Rogaine. Stress is a fairly common cause of hair loss in women. Iron Deficiency: Another common, but generally unrecognized, cause of hair loss is an iron deficiency, especially in pre-menopausal women.

A deficiency of biotin may cause hair to become frail and unhealthy, and hair breakage, which may result in hair loss. People suffering from heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD and who are taking antacids may absorb biotin less and hair loss may occur as a result. Since most forms of female hair loss are temporary, over the counter treatments may be used to prevent too much hair from being lost during these periods.

These are some of the well-known hair loss treatments that are famous and widely used. One widely held belief is that the over use of chemicals on the hair can cause hair thinning and eventually hair loss. Genetic hair loss is possibly the most devastating form of hair loss because it is permanent and can cause total balding.