Hair growth continuously goes through a cycle of growing, resting and shielding. Ever given a thought why we loose hair? When the hair follicles enter the resting phase and hair lost are not replaced by newer ones, hair loss becomes prominent. There can be a number of causes contributing to hair loss. Some of the common reasons leading to extensive hair loss and eventual balding are:

#1: Ageing: Hair loss usually occurs during the period between 20 to 50 years of age. Though it is noticeable in later stages of life, as in the early stages, hair loss is compensated by hair growth. Growth process decelerates as we advance in life.

#2: Application of Cosmetic Chemicals: Use of bleaching agents, coloring products and permanents on our hair, unknowingly become a cause of hair loss.

#3: Drugs/ Radiation / Medications: Antidepressants, anticoagulants, amphetamines, blood thinners, some antibiotics, drugs manufactured from vitamin A, drugs for ulcers, medicines for gout, and various other drugs also contributes to hair loss.

Cancer treatments like radiation therapy and chemotherapy damage the hair follicles by halting their growth phase. Thus, all the damaged follicles shed their hair.

#4: Hereditary transmission of hair loss genes: There is a genetic tendency among men and women to loose hair- a predisposition termed as Androgenetic alopecia. Normally, men are the carriers of genes for pattern baldness to the next generation, but women can also be the transmitters.

#5 Imbalances in hormonal levels: Hormonal imbalance can also attribute to hair loss. If male hormones- androgens and female hormones- estrogens are out of balance, they can lead to excessive hair loss. Thyroid gland activity is also responsible for hair loss in people.

#6: Severe Illness and Infections: Illness and disorders can affect growth cycles in the body. Scalp fungal infections, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Thyroid disorders, Diabetes, Lupus.

#7: Pregnancy: For three to six months, after the delivery of child, women experience extensive hair loss. This occurs because hair follicles enter the resting phase of the hair growth cycle, owing to physiological impact of the pregnancy on the women’s body.

#8: Menopause: When a woman reaches menopause, there are hormonal changes in her body. Women experience hair thinning and hair loss. Treatments like hormone replacement therapies (HRT) are there to overcome the effect of menopause. It may have side effects in some cases and require experimentation which should be done under proper guidance and supervision.