Human hair grows everywhere except on the soles of the feet. Hair is made of Keratin, a protein made by hair cells in silo-like structures in our skin called follicles. The average adult has about 125,000 hair follicles on it. Hair grows at a rate of 6 inches a year as the cells die and are pushed out of the skin follicles. We lose about 100 hairs a day as the follicles go through their own life cycle of growth and rest.
Alopecia is the name for hair loss. There are a few different, common conditions:
As we get older, the hair follicles are more likely to be in the resting phase and the hairs get shorter and fewer.
Androgenic hair loss has male and female versions. Male pattern baldness starts in the 20s and is characterized by loss of hair from the top of the head and the forehead. The female version of this starts in the 40s and is a general thinning of the hair, mostly at the crown.
Temporary hair loss can occur if too many of the hair follicles go into resting phase at the same time.
There are a few conditions that can lead to total body hair loss, but these are unusual.
There are many conditions that can lead to an unhealthy hair follicle or cause it to go into a rest mode:
Abnormal hormone levels of testosterone and its androgenic cousins
Stress over a long period of time, either physical or emotional
Certain medications
Injury from toxins, drugs, burns or radiation
Mercury levels that are elevated
Autoimmune diseases
Cosmetic procedures or treatments
Poor nutrition with lack of protein
Mineral deficiencies such as iron and zinc
Vitamin deficiencies of B and D
Vitamin excesses, such as Vitamin A
Medical conditions such as thyroid disease, lupus, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and anemia
Genetic influences
Depending on the cause of your hair loss, here are some things you may try:
Reduce your stress load or learn better coping mechanisms
Have your hormone levels checked including Testosterone and DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), and talk to Dr Jay to consider steps to reduce DHT
Eat a healthy diet with a range of healthy proteins
Avoid excess caffeine, sugar and alcohol
Talk to your doctor about the medications you are taking or let Dr Jay help you get off your medications
Take a balanced daily multivitamin; consider iron if deficient
Consider a blood test for elevated mercury levels
Make sure your thyroid levels (not just TSH) are optimized
Make sure you are not inflamed or suffering from auto-immune syndromes
Essential oils such as Rosemary, Spikenard, Lavender, Peppermint, Sage
Rejunenate Medi-Spa has new treatments for your hair loss. Micro-needling stimulates the inactive hair follicles and then adding growth factors from exosomes or amniotic fluid supercharges your follicles to come back and grow new hair!
Contact me for more information or schedule a FREE one-hour consultation!