Hair Loss Information

What Is Normal About Hair Loss?


It is important to note that shedding of hairs is a natural process with anything from 100 to 300 hairs randomly shed each day. In this article we'll look at two distinct aspects of normal hair loss. Firstly, we'll examine what is actually involved in the hair growth cycle. Secondly, we'll assess the natural progression of hair loss over time.

Hair is composed of long, twisted keratin fibers that are protected by a coating of keratinized cells. Just below the surface of the skin lies a cluster of active cells known as the dermal papilla and it is from here that the hair grows into its follicle.

This growing fiber eventually hardens and grows out from the scalp. At this stage the hair fiber is dead with only the root tip containing living cells.

In a little more detail, the hair growth cycle, consists of three distinct stages:

1. Anagen stage - a phase of growth that can last between two and seven years. On average, each hair grows about six inches (15cm) per year.

2. Catagen stage - a phase of transition that lasts roughly two to four weeks. At this time the hair shaft detaches from the dermal papilla and moves up within a shrinking follicle.

3. Telogen stage - a resting period that lasts about three months allowing the hair to detach itself from the follicle before falling out. After this, the cycle repeats itself unless other factors intervene to prevent repetition of the cycle.

Clearly time has a role to play in the development of hair loss for both men and women. Humans are born with varying amounts of soft and fine body hair. Through time some of this hair becomes stronger and develops further characteristics such as colour and texture. Up to the onset of puberty the hairline is characterized by a low spread across the forehead. For men, this continues only for a few more years.

As men progress through their twenties the hairline takes on a more mature look typified by recessions to the frontal temporal regions and accompanied by slight thinning elsewhere. This concave appearance doesn't necessarily equate to premature balding as it is all a question of degree.

The Norwood Scale is an extremely useful tool in developing a hair growth strategy as it allows you to establish your own degree of hair loss in a way that is understood by physicians and other hair loss experts. More importantly, it can help to set your mind at rest and allow you to differentiate between normal hair loss that does not require remedial action and more extreme loss that calls for immediate action.

You can assess the extent of your own hair loss by following the link below.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the myhairlossadvisor.com, website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss. Please go to Normal Hair Loss to learn more about the issues covered in this article.


MORE RESOURCES:

DNA Hair Loss Test For Women
kypost.com, KY - Nov 20, 2008
Three weeks later, the results will let a person know if they are at risk of significant hair loss before the age of 40. Dr. Robert Leonard said of the test ...


Woman's covered most of the bases on hair loss
SouthCoastToday.com, MA - Nov 19, 2008
An overactive or underactive thyroid gland can lead to hair loss. Iron deficiency is another cause for losing hair. Rapid weight loss can do it. ...


Hair Loss Almost as Big of Problem for Women As It Is for Men
MyFox Houston, TX - Nov 20, 2008
HOUSTON -- Women's hair loss is often a taboo subject that no one wants to talk about. FOX 26 met up with the author of the book "Breaking the Silence," who ...


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Best Hair Loss Treatment Results Ever Captured on Video?
PR Web (press release), WA - Nov 19, 2008
The UK's leaders in hair loss prevention, The Belgravia Centre, have released their first set of video diaries monitoring the response seen by a patient ...


District win = hair loss
Detroit Free Press, United States - Nov 11, 2008
By TIM ROBINSON • DAILY PRESS & ARGUS • November 11, 2008 FOWLERVILLE — After Monday’s Fowlerville volleyball team practice ended, Pat Stawara sat in a ...


Genetic test for hair loss 2.0 arrives
Los Angeles Times, CA - Oct 28, 2008
A man's risk of developing what the American Hair Loss Assn. calls "this emotionally devastating disorder" increases with age. And by the time a man notices ...
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Hair Loss Treated With Provillus Explained Via Online Entity
PRLog.Org (press release), Romania - Nov 19, 2008
PRLog (Press Release) – Nov 20, 2008 – Provillus is in the number one position in many user reviews for hair loss products. Provillus has been formulated ...


Women and Hair Loss
ABC2 News, MD - Nov 13, 2008
When you think about hair loss, you certainly think about men but you probably don't think about women. Unless, of course, you are going through it. ...


Ask Dr. H: Hair loss among combat soldiers
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - Nov 3, 2008
Answer: Stress from combat can cause temporary hair loss - a condition known as telogen effluvium. But it doesn't cause male pattern baldness, also known as ...


Veteran wig buyer swears by Clague
Galesburg Register-Mail, IL - 18 hours ago
Clague tries to be especially sensitive to women who have cancer and need a wig because of hair loss due to chemotherapy. “When you’re a well person and you ...
Never a bad hair day Galesburg Register-Mail
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