Hair Loss Facts

Thick, healthy hair is a symbol of youth and attractiveness for all genders. When hair loss occurs, it can impact a person’s appearance and self-esteem. It is estimated that nearly 50 million men and 30 million women struggle with some level of hair loss in the U.S. – it is a very common problem, but not one you have to accept. At Elite Hair Transplant Center, we offer solutions for hair restoration with our transplant procedures at our facility in Beverly Hills, CA. Here are some hair loss facts that you should know.

Hair Growth Cycles

To understand hair loss, you need to understand hair growth. Hair follicles come in “follicular units” of 1-4 strands of hair, and there is an average of 100,000 hair follicles on the scalp. These follicles grow, rest and shed in cycles. At any given time, most people have 90% of their hair follicles in the growth stage, anagen. After about three years, the hair follicles transition to a short catagen stage, then to telogen stage where the hair sheds.

When alopecia occurs, it can cause a longer delay between the telogen phase and the beginning of the next anagen stage. It also can alter the size of the follicle, called miniaturization, which can eventually result in stopping the growth cycle altogether.

Causes of Hair Loss

The number one cause of hair loss is androgenic alopecia. Also called male and female pattern baldness, this condition is the result of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The higher levels of this hormone are what cause shorter anagen stages of growth and longer pauses between growth. The DHT levels also cause the miniaturization of the hair follicles, eventually leading to hair loss. Androgenic alopecia can be caused by:

• Hormone imbalance (menopause and other hormonal changes)
• Genetics
• Medical conditions such as coronary heart disease, PCOS and prostate cancer
• Medications
• Stress

Androgenic alopecia is the most common reason for hair loss, but there are other factors that can impact hair growth cycles and follicle health.

Hair loss can be a frightening experience but there are options to slow alopecia and restore lost hair. To learn more about FUE and FUT hair transplant procedures, contact us at Elite Hair Transplant Center in Beverly Hills, CA, to schedule a consultation to discuss whether hair transplantation is right for you.