| Hair
Information
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Structure
of the Hair
Hair
is composed of strong structural protein called keratin.
This is the same kind of protein that makes up the nails
and the outer layer of skin.
Each
strand of hair consists of three layers.
1)
An innermost layer or medulla which is only present
in large thick hairs.
2)
The middle layer known as the cortex. The cortex provides
strength and both the color and the texture of hair.
3)
The outermost layer is known as the cuticile. The cuticle
is thin and colorless and serves as a protector of the
cortex.
Structure
of the hair root
Below
the surface of the skin is the hair root, which is enclosed
within a hair follicle. At the base of the hair follicle
is the dermal papilla. The dermal papilla is feed by the
bloodstream which carries nourishment to produce new hair.
The dermal papilla is a structure very important to hairgrowth
because it contains receptors for male hormones and androgens.
Androgens regulate hairgrowth and in scalp hair Androgens
ma cause the hair follicle to get progressively smaller
and the hairs to become finer in individuals who are genetically
predisposed to this type of hair loss.
The
Hair Growth Cycle
Hair
follicles grow in repeated cycles. One cycle can be broken
down into three phases.
1)
Anagen - Growth Phase
2) Catagen - Transitional phase
3) Telogen - Resting Phase
Each
hair passes through the phases independent of the neighboring
hairs.
Anagen
Phase - Growth Phase
Approximately
85% of all hairs are in the growing phase at any one time.
The Anagen phase or growth phase can vary from two to
six years. Hair grows approximately 10cm per year and
any individual hair is unlikely to row more than one meter
long.
Catagen
Phase - transitional phase
At
the end of the Anagen phase the hairs enters into a Catagen
phase which lasts about one or two weeks, during the Catagen
phase the hair follicle shrinks to about 1/6 of the normal
length. The lower part is destroyed and the dermal papilla
breaks away to rest below.
Telogen
Phase - resting phase
The
resting phase follows the catagen phase and normally lasts
about 5-6 weeks. During this time the hair does not grow
but stays attached to the follicle while the dermal papilla
stays in a resting phase below. Approximately 10-15 percent
of all hairs are in this phase at an one time.
At
the end of the Telogen phase the hair follicle re-enters
the Anagen phase. The dermal papilla and the base of the
follicle join together again and a new hair begins to
form. If the old hair has not already been shed the new
hair pushes the old one out and the growth cycle starts
all over again.
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HAIR
LOSS
Society
has placed a great deal of social and cultural importance
on hair and hair styles. If hairlines start to recede
or hair thins, both men and women may become very concerned
about the loss. Without understanding why their hair is
falling out, they may resort to so called "magic
potions," megavitamins, scalp massage and electric
treatments to encourage new hair grow. Hair loss is common
nearly two out of every three men develop some form of
balding. An even higher percentage of men and women have
some form of hair loss during their lives. With correct
diagnosis, many people suffering from hair loss can be
helped.
Normal Hair Growth
About 90 percent of a person's scalp hair is continually
growing, a phase that lasts between two and six years.
Ten percent of the scalp hair is in a resting phase that
lasts between two and three months. At the end of its
resting stage, the hair is shed. Shedding 50 to 100 hairs
a day is considered normal. When a hair is shed, it replaced
by a new hair from the same follicle located just below
the skin surface.
Scalp hair grows about one-half inch a month. Natural
blondes typically have more hair (140,000 hairs) than
brunettes (105,000hairs)or redheads (90,000 hairs). as
people age, their rate of growth slows down.
Hair is mostly made up of a form of protein, (keratin)
the same material found in fingernails and toenails. Everyone,
regardless of age, should eat an adequate amount of protein
to maintain normal hair production. Protein is found in
meat, chicken, fish, eggs, some cheese, dried beans, tofu,
grains and nuts.
Causes of Abnormal Hair Loss
Abnormal hair loss can be due to many different causes.
people who notice their hair shedding in large amounts
after combing or hair brushing, or whose hair becomes
thinner or falls out, should consult a dermatologist.
It's important to find the cause and whether or not the
problem will respond to medical treatment.
Dermatologists, physicians who specialize in treating
diseases of the hair and skin, will evaluate a patient's
hair problem by asking questions about diet, medications
taken within the last six months, family history of hair
loss, any recent illness and hair care habits. The dermatologist
may ask a female patient about her menstrual cycles, pregnancies
and menopause. After examining a patient's scalp and hair,
he may check a few hairs under the microscope. Laboratory
tests may be required which sometimes include examining
a small sample of scalp under a microscope.
-
Childbirth.
When a woman is pregnant, she does not lose as much
hair as usual. However, after a women delivers her baby,
many hairs enter the resting phase of the hair cycle.
Within two to three months after delivery, some women
may see large amounts of hair coming out in their brushes
and combs. This can last between one to six months.
The condition reverses completely in most cases.
-
High fever, severe infection,
severe flu. From four weeks to three
months after a person has high fever or severe infection
or flu, he or she may be shocked to see a lot of hair
falling out. this condition usually corrects itself,
but some may require treatment.
-
Thyroid disease.
Both an overactive thyroid and an under active thyroid
can cause hair loss. Thyroid disease can be diagnosed
by your physician with laboratory tests. The hair loss
associated with thyroid disease can be reversed with
proper treatment.
-
Inadequate protein in
diet. Some vegetarians, people who go
on crash diets that exclude protein. and those with
severely abnormal eating habits, may develop protein
malnutrition. When this happens, a person's body will
help to save protein by shifting growing hairs into
the resting phase. Massive hair shedding can occur two
to three months later. hair can then be pulled out by
roots fairly easily. This condition can be reversed
and prevented by eating the proper amount of protein
and, when dieting, maintaining adequate protein intake.
-
Medications.
Prescription drugs causes temporary hair shedding in
small percentage of people. Examples of such drugs are
some blood thinners, some drugs used to treat gout and
arthritis, some medications to treat depression, some
medications for heart problems and high blood pressure
problems, and high doses of vitamin A.
-
Cancer treatment drugs.
Certain types of drugs for treating cancer will cause
hair cells to stop dividing. Hair shafts become thin
and break off as they exit the scalp. this can occur
one to three weeks after the cancer treatment. The patient
may lose up to 90 percent of his or her scalp hair.
the hair will regrow after treatment ends. Patients
may be advised by their physicians to purchase wigs
before treatment.
-
Birth control pills.
Women who lose hair while taking birth control pills
usually have an inherited tendency toward hair thinning.
If hair thinning occurs, a woman can consult her gynecologist
about switching to another control pill. When woman
stops using oral contraceptives, she may notice that
her hair begins shedding two or three months later.
This may continue for six months when it usually stops.
This is similar to hair loss after the birth of a child.
-
Low serum iron. Iron
deficiency occasionally produces hair loss. Some people
don't have enough iron in their diets and some may not
fully absorb the iron in their diets. Women who have
menstrual periods may develop an iron deficiency. Low
iron can be detected by laboratory tests and can be
corrected by taking iron pills.
-
Major surgery / chronic
illness. Anyone who has major operation
a tremendous shock to the system may notice increased
hair shedding within one to three months afterwards.
The condition reverses itself within a few months but
people who have a severe chronic illness may shed hair
indefinitely.
-
Alopecia areata. In
this type of hair loss, hair usually falls out, resulting
in totally smooth, round patches about the size of a
coin or larger. it can, in rare cases, result in complete
scalp hair loss and loss of body hair. This disease
may affect children, women or men of any age. The cause
of alopecia areata is unknown. Apart from the hair loss,
affected persons are generally in excellent physical
health. Dermatologists are able to treat some people
with this condition. In some cases, the hair regrows
by itself.
-
Hereditary thinning or balding. Hereditary
balding or thinning is the most common cause of thinning
hair. The tendency can be inherited from either the
mother's or father's side of the family. Women with
this inherited trait develop thinning hair , but do
not become bald. The condition is called androgenetic
alopecia and it can start in the teens, twenties or
thirties. There is no cure.........
-
Ringworm of the scalp. Caused by a
fungus, ringworm (which has nothing to do with worms)
begins with small patches of scaling that can spread
and result in broken hair. this contagious disease is
most common in children and oral medication will cure
it.
-
Improper hair cosmetic use / improper hair care.
Many men and women use chemical treatment on their hair,
like dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners and permanent
waves. these treatments rarely damage hair if they are
done correctly.
-
However, the hair can become weak and break
if any of these chemicals are used to often. Hair
can also break if the solutions is left on to long,
if two procedures are done on the same day, or if bleach
is applied to previously bleached hair. If hair becomes
too brittle from chemical treatments, it's best to stop
until the hair has grown out. Shampooing, combing and
brushing too often can also damage hair, causing it
to break. A cream rinse or conditioner may be used after
shampooing to make it easier to comb and to make it
more manageable. When hair is to wet, it is more fragile,
so vigorous rubbing with a towel, and rough combing
and brushing should be avoided. Don't follow the old
rule of 100 brush strokes a day, this damages hair.
Instead, use wide toothed combs and brushes with smooth
tips.
-
Hairstyles that pull on the hair, like ponytails
and braids, should not be pulled tightly and should
be alternated with looser hairstyles. The constant
pull causes some hair loss, especially along the sides
of the scalp.
-
Most hair shedding is due to normal hair cycle,
and losing 50 to 100 hairs per day is no cause for alarm.
However, if you are concerned about excessive hair loss
or dramatic thinning, consult your dermatologist.
-
Some forms of hair loss will regrow. Other
forms can be treated successfully by a dermatologist.
For the several forms of hair loss for which there is
no cure at present, there is research in progress that
looks promising for the future.
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Glossary
of Terms
5
Alpha Reductase
5 Alpha Reductase is an enzyme which converts testosterone
to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is the hormone that
triggers Androgenetic Alopecia in individuals who are
genetically susceptible.
Acne
Acne is an inflammatory disease which affects the sebaceous
glands of the skin Alopecia Alopecia is the medical term
for hair loss or baldness in general.
Alopecia
Areata
Alopecia Areata is the medical term for hairloss which
occurs in patches on the scalp.
Alopecia
Totalis
Alopecia Totalis is a term for hairloss which occurs over
the entire scalp.
Alopecia
Universalis
Alopecia Universalis is her term for hairloss which occurs
over the entire body.
Anagen
This is the growing phase of the hair cycle which lasts
about seven years in a healthy person.
Androgenetic
Alopecia
This is the term for male or female pattern baldness which
depends on the genetic predisposition of the hair follicles
and the levels of DHT in the body.
Androgens
Androgens are often referred to as male hormones.
Antiandrogen
An antiandrogen blocks the effects of androgens, normally
by blocking the receptor sites.
Azelaic
Acid
Azelaic acid like Retin-A is more commonly used in the
treatment of acne and other skin conditions. Recently
the potential effect of using azelaic acid in the treatment
of androgenetic alopecia has been looked at and discussed.
Benign
Prostatic Hyperplasma
Benign prostatic hyperplasma is an enlargement of the
prostrate gland.
Catagen
The catagen phase is the resting phase of the hair cycle.
Cortex
The cortex is the main structure of the hairshaft. The
cortex determines the colour and texture of the hair.
Cyproterone
Acetate
This drug is normally used to reduce sex drive in men
who have an excessive sex drive. It is also prescribed
to treat hirsuitism and androgenetic alopecia in women.
Dermal
papilla
The dermal papilla is situated at the base of the hair
follicle. The dermal papilla contains nerves and blood
vessels which supply glucose for energy and amino acids
to make keratin.
DHT
(Dihydrotestosterone)
DHT is a male hormone that is suggested to be the main
cause for the miniaturisation of the hair follicle and
for hair loss. DHT is formed when the male hormone testosterone
interacts with the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.
Finasteride
Finasteride is the generic name of the brand name drug
Proscar. Proscar is manufactured by Merck and is FDA approved
for the treatment of benign prostate enlargement. More
recently 1mg tablets of finasteride have been marketed
under the brand name Propecia as a treatment for hairloss.
Follicle
The hair follicle houses the root of the hair.
Gene
Therapy
Gene therapy is a treatment method which involves the
manipulation of and individuals genetic makeup. Keratin
Keratin is a kind protein that is present in hair and
nail.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is the generic name of the brand name drug Rogain.
Rogain is manufactured by Upjohn and is FDA approved for
the treatment hair loss. Minoxidil is available in the
form of a topical lotion with varying strength from 2%
to 5%. Minoxidil was the first drug to be approved by
the FDA for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.
Medulla
The medulla is a central zone of cells present only in
large thick hairs.
Retin-A
or Tretinoin
Retin-A is a brand name for a topical gel or cream normally
used in the treatment if acne.
Saw
Palmetto
Saw Palmetto is a Natural Herb That has been shown to
be an effective antiandrogen.
Scleroderma
A disease of the skin and connective tissue that can cause
hair loss over the affected areas.
Seborrheic
dermatitis
Sebhorrheic dermatitis is a condition marked by small
discoloured patches or spots on the skin and frequently
occurs on the face and scalp.
Sprionolactone
This is a drug normally used to treat high blood pressure,
however is also acts as an antiandrogen and is used in
the treatment of androgen related disorders such as female
pattern baldness and hirsuitism. Telogen This refers to
the shedding or falling phase of the hair cycle.
Terminal
hair
Large, heavy pigmented hairs with a central medulla.
Testosterone
A predominantly male hormone which promotes the development
of male characteristics.
Traction
Alopecia
This refers to hair loss which occurs do to traction place
on hair. Traction alopecia is commonly seen with braids,
pony tails and other hairstyles which create traction
on the scalp.
Vellous
hair
Vellous hair is very short, fine light coloured hairs.
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