1. What normal hair loss is? How much hair loss can be considered normal?
2. Factors affecting normal hair loss
3. Abnormal hair loss causes
4. Prevention of abnormal hair loss
Normal hair loss
On an average each human scalp has 100,000 strands of hair. We all experience hair loss everyday regardless of whether or not you notice it. On an average we lose 40 to 100 hairs per day. Your hair loss is perfectly normal if you are losing upto a hundred hairs per day.
On an average each human scalp has 100,000 strands of hair. We all experience hair loss everyday regardless of whether or not you notice it. On an average we lose 40 to 100 hairs per day. Your hair loss is perfectly normal if you are losing upto a hundred hairs per day.
The hair that is lost is not permanently lost. The lost hair is usually replaced by new, healthier hair in most people. However, this may not hold true for people with male pattern baldness, alopecia etc.
Can Normal hair loss be prevented?
No. Normal hair loss is natural. We all lose 40 to 100 strands of hair a day. It is a natural process. In place of the lost hair, new hair would grow in most cases.
Factors affecting Normal hair loss
The normal hair loss range is between 40 to 100. The amount of hair you lose everyday depends on a variety of factors. They include:
- Chemical content in the water you use to wash your hair
- Amount of chemicals you use on your hair (dyes, hair colors etc.)
- Baldness (People nearing baldness are likely to lose more hair than those who are not)
- Hormones
- Diet
- Medications
- Dandruff
- Other conditions like Alopecia
- Genetic factors
Abnormal hair loss
If you are consistently losing more than 100 strands of hair a day, you are experiencing abnormal hair loss. Excessive hair loss can occur due to one of the reasons mentioned above. People with excessive dandruff on the scalp can suffer from excessive hair loss. So can men going through male pattern baldness. People undergoing chemotherapy also experience abnormal hair loss.
Prevention and Cure of abnormal hair loss
Prevention of abnormal hair loss is done by addressing the problem causing hair loss. Given below are the list of problems that cause hair loss and how hair loss can be stopped and reversed in such cases.
Dandruff - Shampoo regularly: Hair loss experienced due to dandruff can be stopped by curing dandruff. If you have dandruff, remember to shampoo your hair regularly. Medicated anti-dandruff shampoos can help cure dandruff. Rinsing your hair with lime juice can also help cure dandruff. If dandruff does not subside despite regular shampooing, you might be suffering from conditions like psoriasis. Consult your physician immediately.
Chemical content in water: If you have hair loss that is a result of excessive chemical content in the water you use to wash your hair, their is only one solution. Find better water to wash your hair. We know it is not easy these days, but it is worth your effort.
Hormonal hair losses are temporary: Hair loss resulting from hormonal changes are temporary. Pregnancy, the onset of menopause, use of birth control pills can all cause hair loss. With time, this hair loss would come to an end and new healthy hair would grow.
Nutritional deficiencies - eat well: Nutritional deficiencies can also cause hair loss. Inadequate quantities of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, Copper, Iron, Zinc, and even water can all cause hair loss. The remedy is to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Alopecia - See a doctor: Hair loss due to alopeica is not restricted to the scalp. It can occur on any part of the body. If you are diagnosed with alopecia, continue treatment until you are cured.
Baldness - try this remedy: There are multiple options for people suffering from baldness. Hair transplant is effective, but expensive. In hair transplant, hair on your body would be taken and planted on your scalp to cover the bald areas. Hair fixing is also becoming popular these days. To some extent, changing your hairstyle can help you cover up bald areas on your head.
Here is a simply home remedy that might grow a few hairs on your scalp: Take opium juice and mix with an equal amount of vinegar. Apply the paste on your scalp and massage gently. Leave for a few minutes before rinsing.
Genetic predisposition - there is hope: If your genetics is causing excessive hair loss, not much can be done. However, scientists are working on corrrecting the genetic factor that cause hair loss.It is common belif that the hair loss genes are passed on to a man through his mother and to a woman through her father.
Results on gene therapy tests are encouraging. Gene therapy introduces missing genes into your body to stop hair loss and generate new hair. The missing genetic material is directly introduced into your scalp using liposome-DNA mixtures.