Hair fall is a normal phenomenon. A normal human being loses some amount of hair from the scalp, and after that, new hair grows in that part of the scalp. Hair follows a cyclical pattern of its life. First, hair enters the Anagen stage, or the growing stage, when the hair grows. It is the longest stage of the hair cycle. Hair remains in the Anagen stage for around 5-7 years. Then comes a brief phase known as the Catagen stage, or the resting stage of hair. The last stage is known as the Telogen or Falling stage. Around 10% of the entire scalp hair remains in the Telogen or falling stage. So, on average, if someone has around 100,000 hairs, then he or she has around 10,000 hairs in the falling stage. Thus, losing around 20-30 strands per day (in males) and around 50 strands per day in females is absolutely normal.
If someone is losing more than 100 strands per day consistently, then it is abnormal. This condition is known as Telogen Effluvium, which means more and more hair is entering the Telogen phase. The causes of Telogen Effluvium are the following:
- Overuse of chemicals, like hair straightening, perming, curling, coloring, etc.
- Exposure to heat on the scalp, like excessive usage of straighteners.
- High-grade fever, like malaria, typhoid, chikungunya, dengue, etc., or after undergoing some major surgery.
- Persistent stress.
- After delivery of a baby.
- Excessive bleeding during periods, like menorrhagia.
- Endocrine disorders like PCOS or Hypothyroidism, etc.
- Drastic weight loss through rigorous dieting.
- Taking some medications, like anabolic steroids.
In most cases, it has been seen that after the cause is removed, the hair fall comes under control. However, in some cases, if someone has a strong genetic predisposition, this hair loss can become quite permanent.
At HairElixir, we understand each and every cause very meticulously and then prescribe the proper guidelines in terms of medications, diet, and proper management of hair and scalp.
Visit: www.hairelixir.in
