See here for part 1 and part 2.
While a combination of factors is responsible for hair loss – genes, hormones, and the aging process itself – a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, looking specifically at hair loss in men, found that genetics has roughly an 80% influence on whether an individual will have hair loss that leads to male-pattern baldness. This series covers some of the other 20% of known hair loss causes.
Most adults lose about 50-100 hairs every day. This may seem like a lot; however, it is invisible to the naked eye relative to the billions of hairs on your head. Hair loss, also known as alopecia, occurs as the result of hair follicles in your scalp being compromised or damaged by hormonal changes. These changes generally result from aging, disease, heightened stress levels, poor nutrition, excess consumption of toxins such as alcohol or caffeine, or environmental factors.
Aging is a natural process that affects all aspects of our body, including our hair. While much attention has been given to the general aging of our bodies, the aging of hair itself is not as commonly studied. Hair aging involves both intrinsic factors, which are related to the natural physiological changes that occur with time, and extrinsic factors, which are caused by environmental exposures and daily grooming practices.
- Hair Aging
Definition: Hair aging refers to the natural changes that occur in the texture, color, and overall health of hair as a person gets older.
Characteristics:
- Texture Changes: Hair may become finer, drier, and more brittle with age. It can lose some of its natural shine and elasticity.
- Color Changes: Hair undergoes a graying process due to a reduction in melanin production in the hair follicles.
- Reduced Growth Rate: Hair growth may slow down, taking longer to fill in hair that has shed naturally.
- Thinning at the Temples and Crown: Some individuals may experience mild thinning, especially around the temples and crown of the head.
Causes: Hair aging is primarily influenced by genetic factors, hormonal changes, and environmental factors over time.
Intrinsic factors play a significant role in hair aging. One of the most well-known signs of aging hair is graying. As we age, the melanin-producing cells in our hair follicles, called melanocytes, decrease in number and activity. This leads to a decrease in the pigmentation of the hair shaft, resulting in gray hair. The age at which hair graying begins varies between ethnicities.
Apart from graying, other intrinsic factors also contribute to hair aging. The diameter of the hair shaft changes with age, with hair becoming thicker until around the age of 40 and then gradually thinning. Hair density, which refers to the number of hair fibers per square centimeter, also decreases with age. These changes are influenced by factors such as hormones, genetics, and the hair growth cycle.
- Hair Loss Due to Aging of the Body
Definition: Hair loss due to aging of the body refers to the natural reduction in hair density that can occur as a person ages.
Characteristics:
- Gradual Thinning: The density of hair decreases with age, and hormonal changes, such as those during menopause, can influence hair growth and diameter.
- Patterned or Non-Patterned: Hair loss can occur in specific patterns or in a diffuse, non-patterned manner. Over time the pattern of hair loss among men tends to follow a predictable progression, slowly receding from the front to the back, leaving tufts at the sides and surrounding the head. When it comes to women, instead of a noticeable pattern, there’s usually a general overall “thinning” as the aging process occurs.
- Increased Shedding: There may be an increase in hair fall during daily activities like washing or brushing.
Causes: This type of hair loss is influenced by age-related changes in hormone levels (for example, lower estrogen in postmenopausal women and lower testosterone in men) and reduced blood flow to the scalp.
- Hair Weakening Due to Aging of the Body
Definition: Hair weakening due to aging of the body refers to the gradual reduction in the strength and vitality of individual hair strands as a person grows older, which is influenced by systemic factors related to aging.
Characteristics:
- Reduced Elasticity: Hair may become less flexible and more prone to breakage.
- Thinner Strands: The individual hair shafts may become thinner over time.
- Reduced Resilience: Hair may be more sensitive to damage from styling practices or environmental factors.
Causes: This weakening can be attributed to age-related changes in the body’s overall health, which can impact hair health. These factors may include changes in hormonal balance, nutrition, and blood circulation.
There are millions of us worldwide who experience hair loss, whether it’s caused by genetics or any other reason. It can impact your self-esteem and confidence and make you feel less attractive and desirable. But the good news is that a hair transplant can help.
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves moving hair from one part of the body (usually the back of the head) to the balding or thinning areas on the scalp. The result is a fuller, more natural-looking head of hair, which can greatly improve a person’s quality of life. Schedule a consultation with Advanced Medical Hair Institute to see if this is a life-changing option for you.
