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THE INS & OUTS OF HAIR LOSS

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What is hair?

Believe it or not, each strand of hair is made up of a range of interlocking cells that are dead and have no regenerative properties.

Each hair grows from a hole known as a follicle which lies below the skin of your scalp. The follicle, which is very much alive, pushes the hair up through the skin at a rate of approximately half an inch or 12 millimeters a month. Follicles contain nerves and capillaries and are stimulated by blood flow.
Hair loss refers to a loss of hair from the body or head. There are two common types of hair loss:
– Androgenetic hair loss- pattern baldness.
– Alopecia Areata- an autoimmune disease that sees hair loss in a single or multiple area of the scalp.

Both men and women can suffer from hair loss however the causes can differ. The most common causes of hair loss include nutritional problems, hormonal abnormalities and inheriting hair loss from family members.

 

NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS

  • An iron or zinc deficiency is the most common nutritional problem associated with hair loss (Alopecia). However, also having too much Selenium in your system can also contribute to hair loss. The recommended daily intake of selenium is outlined below by age. The recommended daily amount of zinc is 8 mg for women and 11 mg for adult men.

    > SELENIUM RECOMMENDED DOSAGES
Life Stage Recommended Amount
Birth to 6 months 15 mcg
Infants 7-12 months 20 mcg
Children 1-3 years 20 mcg
Children 4-8 years 30 mcg
Children 9-13 years 40 mcg
Teens 14-18 years 55 mcg
Adults 19-50 years 55 mcg
Adults 51-70 years 55 mcg
Adults 71 years and older 55 mcg
Pregnant teens and women 60 mcg
Breastfeeding teens and women 70 mcg

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-Consumer/

 

HORMONAL ABNORMALITIES

  • > Thyroid issues- Hair loss occurs across the entire scalp whereby hair is uniformly sparse.
  • > Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)- the body produces too many androgens (male hormones). An oversupply of male hormones in women causes low fertility and sensitive hair follicles meaning less hair growth on the scalp and increase hair growth on the body.
  • >Testosterone- Dihydrotestosterone is produced by testosterone in our body. In the conversion process from DHT to testosterone it has been found that there is a relationship with thinning hair. High levels of DHT & testosterone levels in itself can also cause hair loss.

INHERITING HAIR LOSS
Hereditary hair loss reduces the amount of time that hair actively spends growing. The pattern of baldness generally starts at the temples and hairline begins to recede. Hereditary hair loss can be inherited from either the mother or father.

Compounded with the assistance of your Integrative GP can formulate personalised medications based on your hair loss needs.  Compounded can also provide these personalised medications in various dosage forms such as shampoos, lotions, solutions and capsules

References

https://www.ihls.com.au/hair-loss-facts/the-facts/

https://www.medicinenet.com/hair_loss/article.htm#what_is_tinea_capitis

https://www.medicinenet.com/hair_loss/article.htm#hair_loss_facts