It is one of the most common health and beauty problems: hair loss. On an average, a normal human being has about 100,000 hair follicles. Hair is made up of protein, called keratin and follows the normal cycle of growth, rest and death ( falling or shedding of hair). It is normal to shed about 50-100 hairs daily during bathing, drying hair, combing, etc. and is nothing to worry about.
However, losing more than that on a consistent basis, needs to thoroughly investigated. Beside the genetic influences - which hardly can be changed - some common causes of hair loss are

1. Dietary Causes :Lack of proper nutrition is a very common and easily treatable cause of hair loss. If you are not having a balanced meal daily consisting of all different food groups, your body will not get the required vitamins, minerals, proteins and trace elements in sufficient quantities. This will weaken the hair shaft which will not be able to sustain hair growth. People with bulimia and anorexia, two common eating disorders, experience severe hair loss.

2. Medical Causes : It is highly advisable to visit a physician immediately if you notice excessive hair loss on a consistent basis. It could be indicative of an underlying medical condition and early intervention will not only treat/control your medical cause, but restore hair growth. Some medical causes of hair loss are :
a. hormonal conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, thyroid disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome.
b. kidney diseases, liver diseases, lupus.
c. cancers like leukemia and lymphoma even before treatment begins
d. medications like chemotherapy, diet pills containing amphetamines, acne medicines.

3. Lifestyle Causes : Frequent travel across time zones leading to disruption of biorhythm, use of hard water for bathing due to lack of choice, constant use of air-conditioners, beauty treatments containing harmful chemicals, use of hair colouring and hair straightening rods, daily use of hair dryers, smoking, crash diets, etc., all lead to hair loss.

4. Natural Causes : Natural events like pregnancy, undergoing surgery, getting anesthesia could lead to temporary disruption of the hair-growth cycle. Such condtions will correct itself in the long run.

5. Traumatic Causes : Sudden trauma like unexpected death of a loved one, accidents, depression lead to a weakened immune system. A weak body easily falls prey to infections, and this may lead to hair loss.

No amount of cosmetic treatments will help you arrest hair loss if the cause is untreated. So searching for the cause and taking corrective action is an important step.

Anyhow, especially when there is a large genetic influence, treat should start as early as possible. Beside the well know drugs finasterid and minoxidil a surgical option in form of a hair transplant becomes more popular nowadays. In a hair transplant hairs are moved from the back of the head to the front, filling up the balding areas. So within a day with a hair transplant it is possible to restore a much younger impression within short time.

Healing Retreats|