Common Causes

What is alopecia?
Alopecia is the technical term for any abnormal loss of hair. Alopecia androgenetica, is a hereditary condition and shouldn't be confused with the natural cycle of hair loss that we all experience. When this occurs, most frequently in spring and fall, hair that is naturally shed is replaced by new hair. Hair that is lost due to alopecia androgenetica does not naturally re-grow unless special treatment is given to reverse the condition.

Androgenetic Alepecia is the Male of Female Pattern Baldness that we most associate with hair loss. It is an inherited form of hair loss that occurs when an individual is genetically predisposed to it and this is what we mostly treat successfuly at Maximum Hair.

Alopecia Senilis is the form of hair loss that occurs in old age and is a permanent condition.

Alopecia Prematurais a slow thinning of the hair that begins prior to middle age and begins first with fallen hair being replaced by weaker ones.

Alopecia Areata is the sudden loss of hair in distinct round patches or spots.This can be caused by illnesses such as typhoid fever, syphilis, a thyroid condition or anemia.

Circulation
Poor circulation to the scalp is amongst the many factors contributing to hair loss. Tightness of the scalp, which is believed to be hereditary, can be exacerbated by stress and poor diet. This condition can inhibit blood flow, particularly to the top of the head, preventing nutrients and essential elements from reaching hair follicles.

Hair follicles are one of the most rapidly metabolizing tissues in the body.Their high metabolic rate requires an excellent blood supply to carry oxygen and other nutrients to the cells. If the blood supply diminishes, the follicles grow into gradual decline, vanish and merge with skin tissue. Laser treatment stimulates the circulation in the scalp, allowing oxygen and necessary nutrients to be transported to the hair follicle.

Childbirth
Sudden hair loss several months following childbirth is perfectly normal. Under normal conditions, about 85 percent of our hair is growing, and the other 15 percent is resting. After a resting period, hair falls out and is replaced by new growth. During pregnancy, hormone changes cause an increase in the proportion of growing hairs to resting hairs, resulting in a luxuriant head of hair. But after giving birth, the ratio is reversed and more hair falls out.

Hair loss usually starts at around three months post partum and stops at around six months. During that time, hair loss can be extreme, but by baby's first birthday, the mother's hair is usually back to normal.

Stress
Stress resulting from a traumatic experience, illness or nutritional deficiency can be a major factor in hair loss. Typically, women's hair seems to be more sensitive to the effects of stress than men's hair.This may be because women with a genetic predisposition towards hair loss usually have a higher percentage of fragile miniaturized hair.

The type of hair loss caused by stress is referred to as telogen effluvium, which, unlike androgenetic alopecia, is the reversible shedding of hair in the resting phase when the body senses that it needs to divert its energies elsewhere. Usually hair loss caused by stress is temporary and the lost hair is likely to grow back.

Drugs that can cause hair loss
Many drugs are known to cause hair loss. Some of these include:

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