This
article examines the stages of the normal hair growth cycle and
contends that hair loss does not always require urgent remedial action.
It is important to note that shedding of hairs is a natural process
with anything from 100 to 300 hairs randomly shed each day. In this
article we'll look at two distinct aspects of normal hair loss.
Firstly, we'll examine what is actually involved in the hair growth
cycle. Secondly, we'll assess the natural progression of hair loss over
time.
Hair is composed of long, twisted keratin fibers that are protected by
a coating of keratinized cells. Just below the surface of the skin lies
a cluster of active cells known as the dermal papilla and it is from
here that the hair grows into its follicle.
This growing fiber eventually hardens and grows out from the scalp. At
this stage the hair fiber is dead with only the root tip containing
living cells.
In a little more detail, the hair growth cycle, consists of three distinct stages:
1. Anagen stage - a phase of growth that can last between two and seven
years. On average, each hair grows about six inches (15cm) per year.
2. Catagen stage - a phase of transition that lasts roughly two to four
weeks. At this time the hair shaft detaches from the dermal papilla and
moves up within a shrinking follicle.
3. Telogen stage - a resting period that lasts about three months
allowing the hair to detach itself from the follicle before falling
out. After this, the cycle repeats itself unless other factors
intervene to prevent repetition of the cycle.
Clearly time has a role to play in the development of hair loss for
both men and women. Humans are born with varying amounts of soft and
fine body hair. Through time some of this hair becomes stronger and
develops further characteristics such as colour and texture. Up to the
onset of puberty the hairline is characterized by a low spread across
the forehead. For men, this continues only for a few more years.
As men progress through their twenties the hairline takes on a more
mature look typified by recessions to the frontal temporal regions and
accompanied by slight thinning elsewhere. This concave appearance
doesn't necessarily equate to premature balding as it is all a question
of degree.
The Norwood Scale is an extremely useful tool in developing a hair
growth strategy as it allows you to establish your own degree of hair
loss in a way that is understood by physicians and other hair loss
experts. More importantly, it can help to set your mind at rest and
allow you to differentiate between normal hair loss that does not
require remedial action and more extreme loss that calls for immediate
action.
