Hair Fall
Hair fall is one of the most common problems which one experiences in everyday life. However, some amount of hair loss is considered normal.
Hairs are composed of columns of dead, keratinized epidermal cells bonded together by extracellular proteins.
Stages of Hair Growth Cycle:
There are 3 stages through which each hair follicle goes through.
1) Growth Stage – Scalp hair is in the growth stage for 2 to 6 years. During this stage, cells of the hair matrix divide. These new cells are added to the base of the hair root and existing hairs are pushed upwards due to which the hair grows longer.
2) Regression Stage – This stage is for 2 to 3 weeks. During this stage, the cells of the hair matrix stop dividing; the hair follicle atrophies; and the hair stops growing.
3) Resting Stage – This stage remains for 3 months. During this stage, the hair stops growing and a new growth cycle begins after this stage.
Following the Resting Stage, new hair begins to grow in the place of the old hair.
At any given point in time, about 85% of the scalp hairs are in the growth stage, and the remaining are in the resting stage.
Normal Hair Loss – In an adult, hair loss of about 70 to 100 hairs per day is considered to be normal and does not require any treatment.
Generally, hair loss is considered for treatment when the rate of hair loss increases suddenly even if it is in the normal range or when the hair loss is greater than 100 hairs per day.
Types of hairfall:
1) Male Pattern Baldness (MPB/Androgenetic Alopecia): It is a common type of hair loss in men, primarily caused by genetic factors and hormonal changes, the transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is implicated in the process, causing a reduction in the size of hair follicles. The typical progression of male pattern baldness begins with thinning of hair at the temples and crown, potentially leading to partial or complete baldness in certain individuals. A key feature of male pattern baldness (MPB) is the receding hairline and reduced hair volume on the crown.
2) Female Pattern Baldness FPB/(Androgenetic Alopecia in Women): FPB is a type of hair loss that affects women, characterized by widening of the part line, reduced hair density, and increased visibility of the scalp. Like male pattern baldness, it is influenced by genetic and hormonal factors, particularly fluctuations in androgen hormones such as testosterone and DHT. This particular type of hair loss is usually associated with a gradual thinning of hair throughout the scalp, rather than distinct receding hairlines or patches of baldness.
3) Telogen effluvium: Telogen effluvium presents as a transient hair loss condition marked by an abnormal shedding of hair from the scalp. It occurs when a substantial number of hair follicles undergo premature entry into the telogen (resting) phase due to physiological or psychological stressors. Telogen effluvium is often set off by childbirth, surgery, illness, significant weight loss, changes in hormone levels, medication side effects, and emotional stressors. Typically, hair shedding starts around 2-3 months after the initial trigger and may last for several months before spontaneously resolving.
4) Alopecia areata: It is an autoimmune condition wherein the immune system mistakenly attacks its healthy hair follicles causing inflammation and hair loss. It is characterized by patchy hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas of the body. Though the exact cause of alopecia areata remains unknown, it is believed that a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors could be implicated. Hair loss in alopecia areata may range from small, coin-sized patches (alopecia areata) to complete loss of scalp hair (alopecia totalis) or body hair (alopecia universalis). While hair loss in alopecia areata can be unpredictable and recurrent, spontaneous regrowth of hair is possible in some cases, although it may take months or years.
A hair loss can be due to various reasons:
- Hormonal imbalances: Disorders involving hormonal imbalances, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid abnormalities (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism), and hormonal fluctuations related to pregnancy or childbirth, may interfere with the standard hair growth cycle, resulting in hair loss.
- Poor nutrition: Inadequate dietary intake, particularly of key nutrients like vitamins (especially B vitamins), minerals (such as iron and zinc), and proteins, can undermine the vitality of hair follicles, potentially resulting in increased hair shedding.
- Scalp trauma: Hair loss can be a consequence of physical trauma to the scalp, such as excessive pulling or tight hairstyles (traction alopecia), which can impair hair follicles.
- Hair care practices: Overuse of heat styling tools (such as hair straighteners and curling irons), frequent chemical treatments (like perms and relaxers), and aggressive brushing or combing can damage the integrity of the hair shaft can result in breakage and subsequent hair loss.
- Illness – Hair loss usually increases after any acute illness.
- Radiation therapy – The use of radiation in cancer treatments also leads to increased hair loss in cancer patients.
- Chemotherapy – Certain drugs used in cancer treatment, to kill the cancer cells, adversely affect the healthy cells, particularly hair, thereby increasing hair loss. However, after chemotherapy, hair re-growth can be seen.
- Age – The hair loss generally increases with age and can lead to either male pattern or female pattern baldness.
- Genetics – A family history of baldness can lead to hair loss in certain individuals.
- Gender – Females are more prone to hair loss due to hormonal changes during puberty, post-delivery, and menopause.
- Severe emotional stress – Emotional trauma or stress affects the hypothalamus and can cause certain hormonal imbalances leading to hair loss.
- Systemic illness – Hyper/Hypothyroidism and Kidney disorders, can cause hair loss. Certain skin conditions, such as Lichen Planopilaris and Psoriasis, can also cause an increase in hair fall.
- Rapid weight-loss diets that severely restrict calories or protein increase hair loss. Also, nutritional deficiencies of certain nutrients, such as iron and zinc can increase hair loss.
Homeopathy Treatment For Hair Fall
Hair loss, as it is a chronic problem, requires constitutional treatment.
Homeopathy focuses on the root cause of the problem and helps in the treatment of hair loss.
A well-chosen homeopathic remedy helps in controlling the amount of hair fall. However, one must understand that baldness cannot be reversed.
Homeopathic medicines which are prepared from plant, mineral, and animal sources help in reducing the quantity of hair loss.
Homeopathic medicines are individualized, and selected based on the individual case history of the patient, by taking into consideration the cause like hormonal imbalance, nutritional factors, emotional stress, the nature of the patient, and other factors which may be acting as a maintaining cause in the hair loss.
Duration Of The Treatment:
The initial improvement can be seen in 8 to 10 weeks. The treatment course depends on the patient and varies from case to case.
The duration of treatment depends on mainly:
- The severity of hair fall
- The extent of spread as in Alopecia areata.
- The duration of the Hair fall
- Associated systemic illnesses if any like Hyper/Hypothyroidism.
- Use any chemical agents or medications, such as Steroids, Antihypertensive drugs, etc.
Conventional Treatment For Hair Fall:
Minoxidil. Minoxidil (Rogaine), and Finasteride are commonly prescribed for hair loss.
Diet for Hair Care:
Hair is an important accessory structure of the skin that protects the scalp from injury and sun’s rays. It also decreases the heat loss from the scalp.
A good nutritious diet along with exercise helps in maintaining the shine, health, and strength of hair.
- As hair is mainly made up of proteins, a protein diet that includes meat, fish, milk, cheese, eggs, yogurt, soybean, etc. is helpful.
- Good iron intake will ensure an adequate supply of oxygen to hair and help promote good hair growth. So, iron-rich foods, such as green leafy vegetables, dates, etc. should be included in your diet.
- Certain vitamins help in maintaining iron content and iron absorption. So, your regular diet should include a good source of folic acid and vitamin B12, such as Eggs, Soya, Walnuts, and chickpeas.
- Vitamin E helps in an increased uptake of oxygen, thus helping in providing nourishment to the hair. Vitamin E-rich foods include green leafy vegetables, nuts, grains, vegetable oils, etc. So, add these vitamin E food sources to your diet.
- Along with the proper diet, hydration is equally important to ensure a good supply of nutrients to the hair follicles. So, an adequate intake of water is also important.
- Along with a healthy diet, the application of Hair oil and massaging of the scalp will help in stimulating the hair follicles to some extent. This will help in initiating the growth cycle of the hair follicles.
Our Experience In Treating Hair Fall At Life Force:
At Life Force, we have successfully treated thousands of cases of hair loss.
Dr. Rajesh Shah has vast experience treating cases of hair loss and Alopecia Areata. His research-based medicines have greatly helped various patients suffering from Alopecia areata and Hair loss.
Hair loss or Alopecia Areata can be controlled. However, baldness cannot be reverted.
The improvement in the recovery has been seen within 8 to 10 weeks. The amount of hair loss can be reduced significantly. Patients from all over the world have benefited from the help of Life Force research-based medicines.
Related Disease:
- Alopecia areata
- Female pattern baldness
- Male pattern baldness
- Trichotillomania
- Tinea capitis