Thinning hair is a concern for women and men alike, but it’s important to understand the different types and causes in order to promote stronger, healthier hair. Reactional hair thinning often results from factors such as stress, dietary deficiencies, post-pregnancy hormonal changes or medications, while progressive hair thinning is usually genetic.
HAIR GROWTH CYCLE
Our hair is constantly renewing itself. A single hair emerges, grows, then falls out, as part of a hair cycle that repeats itself about 25 times during our lifetime and occurs in three stages:
The Anagen Phase
The anagen phase, or growth phase, lasts about 2 to 3 years in men and 6 to 8 years in women. Under normal conditions, about 85% of our hairs are in the anagen phase. During this phase, the vascular network that supplies the hair root is particularly well-developed around the follicle.
The Catagen Phase
The catagen phase, or regression phase, which is fairly brief (2 to 3 weeks), during which the hair follicle becomes inactive. The matrix dies and although the hair does not grow any more, it remains rooted in the follicle.
The Telogen Phase
The telogen phase, when the hair is in its rest phase. The hair is shed and replaced by another hair, whereby a new anagen phase begins. This period of renewal lasts approximately 3 months and explains why we normally lose around 100 hairs every day.
REACTIONAL THINNING HAIR
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Sudden, temporary hair thinning usually becomes visible two to three months after a specific event, which causes hairs to abruptly enter the shedding phase before completing the growth phase. This type of hair thinning is more prevalent in women, and can cause sudden thinning on the entire head.
POTENTIAL TRIGGERS
Stress or emotional shock
A restricted or poor diet
Fatigue
Childbirth
Illness
Medications
Overprocessed hair
Scalp tension due to excessive styling
UNDERLYING CAUSES
Reactional hair thinning has three underlying causes. Because it can be difficult to determine which is primarily responsible, it is best to address all causes.
Vascular Deficiency: Poor blood flow to the hair follicles limits the availability of the nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth.
Nutritional Deficiency: The nutrients vital for hair growth are either limited or lacking altogether.
Inflammation: Cellular stress releases molecules triggering premature hair loss.
PROGRESSIVE THINNING HAIR
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Hereditary, hormonal hair thinning often takes up to six months to become noticeable, and is generally genetically predetermined. This type of hair thinning usually follows a pattern, which is different in women and men. Women tend to experience a widening of the part and thinning patches, while men see thinning along the hairline and on the crown of the head.
UNDERLYING CAUSES
Progressive thinning has three main underlying causes. Because it can be difficult to determine which is primarily responsible, it’s best to address all of them.
Vascular deficiency: Poor blood flow to the hair follicles limits the availability of the nutrients necessary for healthy hair.
Hormones: Excess oil production is linked to testosterone, and a byproduct of testosterone production called DHT has been found to disrupt the hair’s growth cycle.
Tissular deficiency: Collagen and elastin play a role in helping the scalp retain hairs, but when these structural proteins are compromised, thinning occurs.
