Hair is a very important part of us that forms the frame of our face and gives it expression. Excessive hair loss can cause psychological stress. Hair loss generally develops due to environmental, genetic, autoimmune and nutritional factors.
Hair growth occurs in three cycles. The growth phase is called anagen, the shedding phase is called catagen, and the resting phase is called telogen.
Hair growth is under genetic control and the duration of these phases may vary depending on body region. Mechanical damage to hair depends on external factors. One of these external factors is water. Frequent washing of hair increases hair fragility. Repairing creams should be applied to the hair to reduce this fragility. Repair creams applied to the hair make the hair look fuller and straighter. In this way, it protects the hair from being traumatized.
Applications such as hair dyes and perms cause some structural problems in the hair. Lighteners such as hydrogen peroxide applied during the dyeing process oxidize the melanin that gives the hair its color. It also weakens the hair structurally. In the process called perm, 8% ammonium thioglycolate is applied to the hair. This solution is found at a pH of 9.5 at room temperature and causes the disulfide bonds in the structure of the hair to break or decrease. If the perm solution remains on the hair for a long time, the active agent concentration is too high, or the patient's hair is sensitive or fragile, it may damage the hair.
Hair loss with diffuse thinning of the hair is called telogen effluvium. This type of hair loss is more common in women. Since hair grows faster in the growth, or anagen, phase, it is more sensitive to harmful effects. The slightest damage in the anagen phase causes this period to shorten, and the amount of hair in the telogen phase increases more than normal. As a result, hair loss becomes severe.
The causes that cause telogen effluvium in the hair are as follows;
Febrile diseases (malaria, typhoid). and some severe viral diseases)
Drugs and chemicals: Blood thinners, beta blockers, some hormones, lipid lowerers� Drugs, epilepsy drugs, heavy metals, thyroid drugs, and some cancer drugs cause intense hair loss.
Hormonal changes: The most important hormonal change that causes hair loss in the form of telogen effluvium is the postpartum period. Hair loss usually begins 2-4 months after birth and ends spontaneously a few months later. Likewise, starting or stopping birth control medications causes hair loss. Underactivity or overactivity of the thyroid gland increases hair loss. Tumors originating from the ovary, adrenal or pituitary gland trigger hair loss.
Acute and Chronic diseases: Malignancies, connective tissue diseases, nutritional disorders such as malabsorption, and diseases that affect the immune system such as HIV cause hair loss. p>
Iron deficiency: Hair loss in up to 25% of women occurs due to iron deficiency. This situation is more common especially in women whose menstrual cycles are long or frequent. When iron deficiency develops, the amount of ferritin, which indicates the amount of iron stored in the liver, also decreases. Ferritin, which is found in the growing hair follicles, is released into the circulation from the hair follicle for support in these cases of decrease. As a result of the release of ferritin from the hair follicles, the hair enters the shedding phase.
Other mineral and vitamin deficiencies: Zinc, essential fatty acid deficiencies, foods containing low protein and biotin. Deficiency can cause hair loss.
Acute stresses: Physical stress such as accident and surgery, mental stress such as death and war, psychiatric diseases such as anorexia nervosa telogen effluvium
Physiological newborn hair loss: Newborn babies may experience intense hair loss in the first week of their lives. Sometimes these spills can be localized by the effect of friction.
Seasonal causes: Hair loss may increase in some women in autumn.
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