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Our hair is in a continuous cycle of growing, resting and dropping from our heads and bodies. Hair loss occurs when a new hair does not grow quickly enough to replace the old hair that is falling out.
Common symptoms of hair loss include:
- Gradual thinning on top of the head
- Patchy bald spots on the scalp or beard that appear in a circular shape
- Loosening of hair when combing or tugging
- General hair loss that occurs all over the body
Men typically develop recession at the temples and a bald spot at the top of the head, eventually resulting to complete baldness at the crown. Only 5% of women experience baldness. In women, hair loss is more likely to appear as thinning all over or a widening part.
What causes hair loss? Depending on the individual, here are some of the main contributing factors:
Genetics
Hereditary hair loss comes from our genes and family history. Hereditary hair loss is one of the most common types of hair loss that affects both men and women.
Age
As we age, our hair follicles gradually lose their ability to grow hair, which causes balding and thinning. As a result, most people start to experience receding hairlines or thinning hair as they age.
Treatment for Cancer
Individuals usually lose all or most of their hair within weeks after chemotherapy and radiation treatment. With this type of hair loss, regrowth typically starts after a few months of finishing the cancer treatment.
Stress and Trauma
Stressful events such as childbirth, an illness or losing a loved one can cause hair loss. In these cases, the hair usually starts to regrow after the stressful period ends.
Hair loss can cause emotional distress and embarrassment, and many people search for remedies or treatments to reduce loss or regrow their hair
