Also known as alopecia, hair loss is a problem that is encountered by people from all backgrounds, gender and age. To help with the situation, there are a number of measures have been used. These include, medication, hair replacement and hair restorations. There are several other hair problems that many live with other than the hair loss. This article seeks to highlight the hair problems as well as some of the remedies that have worked against these problems.
Gray hair.
In many societies, the graying of hair is something that has been associated with a distinguished stature. To many, it is just a sign of the sunset years. Regardless of how one feels about grey hair, it is quite inevitable as it has to come at some point in life. The only common factor about grey hair is that it comes with age.
In the quest of determining the root cause of grey hair, a number of studies have been conducted with most convinced that they have unraveled the mystery. Hair color is as a result of the pigment from the melanin. The melanin is produced by the melanocytes that exist in the hair follicles. With age, the melanocytes loose their ability to produce the pigment hence the growth of grey hair. Some people do however get to start growing the grey hair way early in their lives. Some people as early as in their teen ages. The graying of hair is genetically determined hence inherited through generations. If you hate your grey hair, you can cover it with dye of your choice.
Hair loss.
Hair has a defined pattern of growth or a cycle if you may. Hair has continuous growth for the first three to four years. This period is known as the anagen phase. The phase is followed by telogen phase and this normally lasts about three months. During this period, the hair gets o rest from growth. The last part of the cycle is where the grown hair falls and gets replaced with new hair.
Other than through the cycle, hair loss can also be due to a number of reasons including diseases or use of drugs. With age, men get to lose the hair on top of their heads leaving behind an interesting shape with hair at the sides of the head. This is what is known as the male-pattern baldness. This is caused by the genes of the individual and catalyzed by the hormone testosterone.
There are disorders that also cause hair loss. An autoimmune condition known as alopecia has its sufferers losing hair on the scalp as well as other parts of their bodies. Other conditions known to cause hair loss include;
- Medications
- Severe infections
- Major surgery
- Overactive or underactive thyroid.
- Stress
- Hormonal problems.
- Pregnancy
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Fungal infection on the scalp.
Hair damage.
Some activities that we subject our hair to can pose great threats in terms of damaging the hair in an extent that will eventually lead to hair loss. Highlighting, straightening, perming and blow drying can leave the hair weak and thin, brittle and unmanageable. To treat split hair, one will need to
- Avoid over brushing. Use a soft flexible hair brush.
- Avoid towel drying.
- Use conditioner.