An introduction to thinning hair
The word "alopecia" is the medical term for thinning hair and it can take a range of different forms.
Most thinning hair is perfectly normal. However, there is a fine line between regular and excessive thinning of the hair and making the right choices early on can help curb your thinning hair experience before it becomes more serious.
Am I a thinning hair sufferer?
Take the Tug Test
While bald areas are an obvious sign of thinning hair, it can be difficult to tell whether your hair is getting thinner. To find out try the tug test: hold about 15 or 20 hairs between the thumb and index finger and pull slowly and firmly. If more than six hairs come out there may be a problem.
Take the Shower Test
Another easy technique to determine if you might be experiencing excessive thinning hair is via a simple observation when you shower. The normal, regular rate of thinning hair is around 50-150 hairs daily. So if you start to notice the rate increase, its time to take action.
Understanding the hair growth cycle and how thinning hair occurs
Hair follicles produce a new hair every two to six years (dependent on age) and within the following three distinct phases:
The Anagen or growing phase lasts two to five years and determines the length of our hair. Approx 90% of the hairs on our head are in the growing phase.
When the Anagen growth phase comes to an end, hair enters into a Catagen phase which lasts between one and two weeks. Hair stops growing during this phase, the hair follicle shrinks and part of it starts to die.
The Telogen or resting phase lasts around five months. There is no growth during this time. At the end of the resting phase, the hair is shed and the follicle starts to grow a new hair. Approx 10% of the hairs on our head are in this phase at all times.
Noticeable thinning hair occurs when hairs enter the Telogen or resting phase too early causing excess shedding of the hair.
Did you know?
- Hair grows at a rate of about 1 cm a month
- Each follicle grows an average of 20 hairs in a person's lifetime
- Scientists in Taiwan* discovered men who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day had a greater chance of developing baldness
- Approximately one in five people suffering from thinning hair have a close family member with the same condition
- Thinning hair can often start after a stressful life event such as bereavement, shock, getting married or moving house
- Thinning hair affects men, women, young people and children
- On average women spend over €30,000 looking after their hair in their adult life**
- When progesterone hormones return to normal levels after pregnancy, hair that should have fallen out during the last nine months will do so all at once
- The way you style your hair could be causing your thinning hair
If you think you may be suffering from thinning hair take a look at the types section in this site to help you determine your condition.
*Lin-Hui Su; Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen, Association of Androgenetic Alopecia with Smoking and Its Prevalence Among Asian Men: A Community-Based Survey, Archives of Dermatology, Nov 2007; 143: 1401 1406
