Understanding Hair Growth Cycles
The hair growth cycle consists of three main stages:
Anagen Phase (Growth Stage): Hair actively grows during this phase, typically lasting 3-5 years. It’s characterized by steady growth of 1-2 cm per month.
Catagen Phase (Intermediate Stage): Lasting around 10 days, this transitional phase prepares the hair follicle for the next stage.
Telogen Phase (Resting Stage): Hair remains dormant during this phase for approximately 3-4 months before shedding and regenerating.
Normal shedding involves losing about 100 hairs daily, influenced by factors such as genetics, age, and overall health.
Common Causes of Hair Loss
Androgenic Alopecia (Male Pattern Baldness): This genetic condition results in gradual hair thinning and balding, primarily affecting men over 30. Treatment options, including topical drugs and low-level light therapy, aim to enhance blood flow to the scalp and reduce the damaging effects of androgens.
Medical Conditions: Hair loss can be a symptom of underlying medical issues such as thyroid disease, alopecia areata, or fungal infections like tinea capitis. Addressing these conditions promptly can halt hair loss and promote regrowth.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Inadequate intake of protein, vitamin B12, biotin, iron, and zinc can contribute to hair loss. Blood tests can help diagnose and correct these deficiencies, restoring hair health.
Stress: Prolonged stress can trigger hair loss, but it’s often reversible with proper treatment and stress management techniques.
Exploring Treatment Options
Topical Medications: Minoxidil, available as a topical solution or foam, is a commonly prescribed medication for male and female pattern baldness. It’s applied directly to the scalp and can stimulate hair growth in some individuals.
Oral Medications: Finasteride, taken orally, is another medication approved for treating male pattern baldness. It works by inhibiting the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that contributes to hair loss.
Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT): Also known as laser therapy, LLLT involves exposing the scalp to low-level laser light to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth. It’s non-invasive and typically performed in clinics.
Regenera Activa: Regenera Activa is an innovative hair restoration technique that uses micrografts derived from the patient’s own scalp to stimulate hair growth. These micrografts contain hair follicle stem cells, which are then injected into the areas of thinning or balding hair.
