Everyone loses hair. It is normal to shed strands on a daily basis. Humans grow hair almost everywhere on their bodies. Some hairs are thick, and others are very fine.

Our hair strands are made up of keratin, a protein that is produced int he follicles and the top layer of our skin. As new hair follicles grow, old hair follicles are pushed out and shed.

When humans are younger, the rate of our hair growth can be more rapid. The life cycle of a hair follicle comes in three phases; anagen, catagen, and telogen. These three phases encompass the new hair growing actively, then slowly, and finally resting before shedding from your body.  

If you find yourself becoming concerned with the amount of hair being shed, there may be more happening than you think. It is normal to lose hair on a daily basis. But if you find large clumps falling out or patches of hair missing, you may be suffering from hair loss. 

Hair Loss Treatments 

Individuals suffering from hair loss may choose to be treated in a variety of ways. When hair loss is diagnosed early, in many cases you will be able to prevent further damage and encourage regrowth.  

With a diagnosis from a medical professional, individuals suffering from hair loss can incorporate the following treatments: 

• Vitamins 
• Acupuncture
• Medical Treatment
• Steroid Injections

Hair Loss vs Natural Hair Shedding

Natural hair follicle shedding is normal. But massive hair loss may be due to other underlying conditions.  Knowing the difference between hair loss and natural hair shedding will help you determine if and when to seek the advice of a medical professional.

When the hair is in its active phase of growth, it is in the anagen phase. If anything disrupts this phase, hair loss can occur. This is called anagen effluvium. Your hair will not start growing again until the disruption to the anagen phase ends (if possible). 

There are several types of hair loss, all caused by various reasons (or disruptions). Some of the causes of hair loss can be mitigated and even stopped. This may allow you to restart the hair-growing process. Other causes may be inevitable, and the individual may have to pursue other options.

Different Types of Hair Loss 

Androgenic Alopecia: The most common form of hair loss, this type refers to a male pattern or female pattern hair loss. Typically, androgenic alopecia is hereditary. Hair loss occurs in a “pattern.” Men begin losing hair above their temples, and the top of their heads. 

Women’s hair thins dramatically over the whole scalp, with the majority of loss at the crown of their head. However, individuals experiencing this type may be able to manage and mitigate their hair loss with medication (or even surgery). 

Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune disorder, this type of hair loss may be temporary or permanent. Because it is a symptom of a problem with your autoimmune system, your body attacks healthy hair follicles, causing hair loss and the prevention of new hair growth. 

This causes hair loss in patches across your body. Determining why your autoimmune system is being affected, along with medication, and individuals may be able to stop this type of hair loss and encourage new hair growth.  

Alopecia Universalis: Also, an autoimmune condition, this type of hair loss affects the entire body. Individuals lose all of their body hair: eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, body hair, hair from their scalp, and even pubic hair. 

Traction Alopecia: When individuals incorporate specific hairstyles that may pull their hair away from the scalp, they may cause damage to the hair and the follicle. 

The forceful pulling of hair in tight ponytails or braids may cause the hair to thin, break, and fall out rapidly. This may create bald spots and permanent damage to the follicle. Typically, if an individual changes their hairstyle, new hair growth is encouraged.  

Telogen Effluvium: A type of hair loss that refers to hair follicles entering the resting phase without continuing to the next phase. Large numbers of follicles will enter the resting phase, but without new growth occurring, your hair may dramatically thin at the crown and temples. 

This type of hair loss is typically a symptom of a medical event such as childbirth, illness, or medication. If hair loss lasts longer than six months after the medical event, your hair loss will be considered chronic.  

Several other types of hair loss can be attributed to other factors. The most common can be assessed by a dermatologist who can determine a treatment plan for individuals to manage their hair loss. 

However, some causes of hair loss may be directly related to underlying health conditions. These conditions may trigger dramatic hair loss and may require monitoring from a medical professional. 

Mental and Emotional Effects of Hair Loss

Hair loss is not going to cause physical pain in and of itself the majority of the time but there is some effect on the individual that is suffering from hair loss period primarily this is in the mental and emotional realms and could be quite painful in them.

Many people who suffer from hair loss also suffer from anxiety, sadness, and depression along with other psychological Problems. They have the same mental and emotional symptoms as those with chronic diseases. That means that they are at a higher risk of depression than those that are not suffering from chronic illnesses.

Our mental and emotional states can have a direct impact on our physical well-being as well. There have been many studies that show that our emotions have a direct correlation with how the function of our immune system.

Many people that suffer from hair loss also say that they have emotional and mental symptoms like:

• withdrawn and isolated feelings
• loss and grief
• fearing that others may find out about their illness
• anger and embarrassment
• self-blame
• feelings of guilt
• distress and anxiety around finding a solution

All of this can lead to depression. Depression is very common with any disease whether it is a pain-riddled one or not. Understanding the symptoms to look for when it comes to depression is key to creating a whole-body treatment. 

After all those feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress can impact our immune system as well as our nervous system and create hormonal imbalances due to those stressors.

Some common symptoms of depression are:

• Constantly feeling sad, empty, or anxious
• feeling guilty, helpless, or worthless
• loss of interest in things that you use
• lack of energy
• problems with cognitive functions like focus and memory
• loss of appetite
• restlessness and irritability

What Causes Hair Loss

Because there are so many potential causes, knowing the “right” one can help you determine how to move forward. When you can determine the underlying catalyst, you will be able to determine if your hair is just thinning, may continue to fall out abruptly, requires medical intervention, or maybe a permanent result. 

Common causes of hair loss include: 

• Genetics: If you have other family members who have experienced hair loss, there’s a good chance you may experience it as well. It is a hereditary condition that will usually accompany the aging process.  
• Medical Event: Major surgery, childbirth, severe illness, psychological stress, hormonal fluctuations, or crash diets may “shock” your system, preventing your body from growing new hair. The hair you do have may thin and fall in a normal cycle but fail to produce a new growth phase for new hair. Typically, hair regrowth begins after the body has recovered from the medical event.
• Medications: Certain medications or supplements may cause hair loss as a side effect. If you can stop taking these medications, hair growth usually occurs after. You may not be able to discontinue taking certain medications, so it is important to discuss any changes with your doctor. 
• Radiation/Chemotherapy: These treatments are typically used to stop the growth of cancer, but they may also produce hair loss. The suppressed immune system may fail to function properly, and you may find yourself losing hair.