Hair Problems | Head Skin Problems and Treatments
Hair Problems | hair Problems and Treatments
Gray Hair | Hair Loss | Hair Damage | Greasy Hair
This article covers some of the most common hair dilemmas, from hair loss to greasy hair.
Scientists have put a lot of effort into investigating the cause of gray hair, and they believe they've gotten to the root of the problem. Hair gets its color from a pigment called melanin, which is produced by melanocyte cells in the hair follicles. Researchers have discovered that melanocytes endure damage over the years, which eventually leaves them unable to produce melanin. Studies have cited DNA damage and a buildup of hydrogen peroxide in the follicles as possible causes of this disruption in melanin production. Without melanin, the new hair that grows in has no pigment, which makes it appear gray, white, or silver.
Some people start to go gray young – as early as their teens. When graying begins usually is determined by genes, so if your mother or father became gray early, you may, too. If you are one of those people who don't find gray hair distinguished, you can easily cover your gray with one of the many different hair dyes available.
Some people start to go gray young, known as premature graying. For the most part, this is determined by your genes.
Hair Loss
Normally, hair goes through a regular growth cycle.
During the anagen phase, which lasts 2 to 6 years or longer, the hair grows.
During the catagen phase, which lasts about 3 months, the hair rests. Then, at
the end of the telogen (shedding) phase, the hair falls out and is replaced by
new hair.
The
average person loses about 100 hairs each day. Hair loss also can have other causes, including
drugs or disease.
As they age, men tend to lose the hair on top of their
head, which eventually leaves a horseshoe-shaped ring of hair around the sides.
This type of hair loss is called male-pattern baldness. It's caused by genes
from both parents – the idea that men take after their mother's father is a
myth. It's fueled by dihydrotestosterone, a byproduct of the male hormone
testosterone. In female-pattern baldness, the hair loss is different – it thins
throughout the top of the scalp, leaving the hair in front intact.
·
Medications such
as antidepressants, retinoids, NSAIDs, blood thinners, birth control pills and other hormonal
treatments, high blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, and radiation
·
Severe infections
·
Major surgery
·
An overactive or underactive thyroid
·
Other hormonal problems
·
Severe stress
·
Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
·
Fungal infections of the scalp
·
Pregnancy and childbirth
·
Exposure to chemicals such as thallium,
boron, and arsenic
·
Iron-deficiency anemia
Hair loss
may also result from the way you style your hair. That includes heat styling;
chemicals like dyes and relaxers; and styles that pull your hair tightly, like
some braids, dreadlocks, extensions, and weaves.
Some people compulsively pull out their hair. This psychological disorder is
called trichotillomania. Learn more about what
causes hair loss and the truth behind common hair loss myths.
Hair lost
to male-pattern and female-pattern baldness won't grow back on its own, but
there are medications that can help slow hair loss and even regrow hair. Minoxidil (Rogaine)
is a topical medicine that is available over the counter to treat men and
women. Finasteride (Propecia)
is a pill that is available to men only by prescription. Injectable cortisone may
also help regrow hair lost to certain conditions.
Other
hair-loss treatments include injections with platelet-rich plasma, low-level
light devices (for home use), hormonal replacement therapy (for perimenopausal
patients), and nutraceuticals (pills or liquids taken by mouth such as prenatal
vitamins).
Hair Damage
Blow-drying, straightening, highlighting, and perming
regularly can wreak havoc on hair, leaving it brittle, broken, and
unmanageable. Split ends and dry
hair are just two casualties of overstyling.
Excessive
styling and heat can cause split ends, which occur when the protective
outermost layer of hair (the cuticle) is damaged and peels back. Some ways to
avoid split ends include:
·
Brush gently with a soft, flexible hairbrush; don't
overbrush.
·
Avoid towel-drying. If you do dry your hair with a
towel, rub it gently.
·
Use a conditioner, and leave on a deep conditioner
about once a week.
·
Sleep on a satin pillowcase to reduce friction on
your hair.
Hair needs moisture and a certain amount of
oil to keep it looking healthy. A number of things can dry out hair, including:
·
Washing
it too often
·
Using
a harsh shampoo
·
Excessive
blow-drying or use of a curling iron or straightening iron
·
Exposure
to sun, wind, and dry air
·
Perms
and dyes
·
Poor
nutrition
·
Certain
medications
·
Don't wash your hair every day unless you
have a scalp condition such as dandruff that needs daily shampooing for
control. When you do wash your hair, use a gentle shampoo that's designed to
infuse moisture into dry
hair. Also, use a conditioner daily.
·
Limit blow-drying and use of hot irons, hot
rollers, or curling irons.
·
Increase the time between hair treatments,
such as dyes, perms, or straightening.
·
Wear a hat on cold, windy days, and put on a
bathing cap when swimming.
Greasy Hair
The scalp contains a natural oil called sebum, which
helps keep the skin lubricated. Sebum is produced by the
sebaceous glands. Sometimes these glands work overtime and produce too much
oil, leading to a greasy scalp. Greasy hair can look dull, limp, and lifeless,
and it may be more difficult to manage. To treat greasy hair, try washing with
a gentle shampoo that is specially formulated to control sebum.
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