There is an average of 100,000-150,000 hair follicles in the middle of a person’s head. Losing 80-100 hairs per day is considered normal. Each hair strand that is shed is renewed in 6-10 weeks. Hair loss, which can be considered a disease, occurs due to unwanted and uncontrollable changes in hair follicles. All hair follicles have a life cycle. The growth period lasts 2-6 years, the regression period 2-4 weeks, and the rest period 2-4 months.
HAIR LOSS TYPES
Androgenetic Alopecia (Male Pattern Hair Loss)
Genetic predisposition plays a valuable role. In men, the loss first starts from the temple and forehead area, and then there is an opening in the apex area.
Hair loss increases with age.
Although a treatment that can bring back the hair loss in male pattern hair loss is not possible now, drugs are applied to stop the shedding and thicken the existing thinning hair.
Alopecia Areata
Depending on an unknown stimulus, cells in the immune system reject hair and other hairs. In other words, it is a disease caused by a defect of the immune system. As a result, areas of hair loss develop. Treatment can be tedious and time consuming.
Cicatricial Alopecia
Cicatricial alopecia is a disease of the scalp. Hair follicles and the vessels feeding them are destroyed as a result of an existing skin disease. It is a permanent spill. If detected in the early period, the disease can be stopped before the hair damage grows.
Symptomatic Alopecia
Symptomatic alopecia is a hair loss that can occur for different reasons and can be seen quickly at any age. Causes: Iron deficiency, protein deficiency, zinc deficiency, folic acid deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid diseases, hormonal changes after birth, medications, important infections and mental tension.
HAIR EXAMINATION
In the hair examination, it should be evaluated whether the hair loss is widespread or not. It can be helpful to separate the hairs in different areas and compare the widths of the sections. The easiest way to prove the existence of an effective hair loss is the hair pull test. The ends of the hair obtained by pulling the hair should be examined microscopically.
EFFECTS OF NUTRITION ON HAIR
In diets where calorie restriction falls below 1000 kcal/day, hair loss may begin within 1-6 months. With the termination of the diet, hair growth returns to normal. Hair loss is observed as an early finding in cases such as iron deficiency, zinc deficiency and biotin deficiency. Excessive consumption of egg white is the most valuable reason for biotin deficiencies that occur later. Hair loss is seen in excess intake of vitamin A, vitamin E and selenium.
WHEN IS HAIR LOSS A DISEASE?
Hair loss continues for more than 3 months, and if 5 or more hairs are palpable from each area when pulling the hair in a tuft, we can say that there is hair loss. If there are round cavities on the scalp and enlargement of the hair parting lines, and the hair is thinned and decreased in volume, hair loss can be mentioned.