Hair Growth Lifecycle
As with any ailment, it is important to start hair loss treatment at an early stage. Once the right time has gone it will be much harder to recover. You must take care of your health while you are still healthy. There is a slight difference among individuals in their hair loss rates but it is common for alopecia to accelerate quickly if it is not treated. In most cases, the treatment time required is relative to how chronic the condition is. Once you notice any hair loss, it is recommended that you see a professional as soon as possible in order to receive a proper diagnosis.
On average, 50-100 hairs fall out daily. If you notice more than 100 hairs falling out daily, it is a signal that your hair loss is rapidly progressing. In some cases, it can be due to a serious illness or it can be a side effect of medication so it is recommended that you consult your physician.
Hair follows a specific growth cycle with three distinct and concurrent phases. Anagen (the growth period that lasts 3 – 5 years), catagen (the receding period that lasts 1 – 2 weeks) and telogen (the resting period that lasts 3 – 4 months) are the 3 phases. All three phases occur simultaneously. One strand of hair may be in the anagen phase while another is in the telogen phase. It is natural that a hair falls out during telogen phases and it accounts for 10 – 15% of the total number of hairs. If more hairs are in their telogen phases, that leads to a decline in hair density. This can be caused from genetic issues and from imbalances of the body such as hormonal, nutritional, and stress. Such issues minimize hair follicles and break the life cycles of your hair and lead to thinning of the hair and premature shedding. In some cases, the follicles do not go into the anagen phase and stop growing hair altogether.
The scalp can be compared to a fertile soil in which a tree grows. When hair loss is left uncared, the scalp becomes a barren land where a hair cannot grow anymore, and in such a case it will take a longer time to restore the hair follicles to grow hair again. The longer time it is uncared for the longer it will take to restore it. Restoring hair follicle can be done through balancing the internal body conditions and eliminating harmful elements and unhealthy habits such as drinking, smoking, lack of sleep, irregular diet, and improper care of your hair.
There are many causes of hair loss. If you suffer from hair loss, you should receive a professional diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment. Remember, earlier is better.