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Hair loss is always the maximum when you wash your hair, because this is when the hair is  manipulated the most. Take a weekly average of your hair loss before you decide if your hair loss is excessive.
Hair loss is cyclical. Sometimes more hair is lost than at other times. Why this happens is not known for certain, except that it is normal to experience cycles of hair loss. The main difference between hair loss in men and women is that men tend to have pattern baldness. This means they lose hair in certain areas. Men tend to develop receding hairlines. Women generally tend to lose hair all over and experience a thinning result yet they retain their hairlines.
Types of Hair Loss
- Male Pattern Baldness(alopecia) is the most common and most lamented form of hair loss. This occurs in both men and women. It affects men and women differently. Alopecia is the direct result of genes inherited from your parents, the hormones present in your body, and the ever-present aging process. Men tend to start balding in patterns, such as thinning at the hairline or at the crown. With women this tends to be a more overall thinning process.
- Telogen effluvium, is a type of hair loss that occurs when someone has had a major stress such as surgery, a serious infection, or childbirth. This kind of hair loss usually occurs between six weeks and three months after the incident.
- Drug side effects may cause hair loss. Oral contraceptives, blood-thinners, cortisone, or amphetamines each can contribute to sudden hair loss. Chemotherapy drugs are well known for causing sudden hair loss..
- Hair loss is a symptom of many illnesses. Patients with anemia, thyroid problems, some cancers, and connective tissue diseases like lupus, or with rapid weight loss, may notice that their hair is thinning.
- Women with heavy menstrual periods may notice excessive hair loss at that time.
- Tinea capitis is a nasty ringworm fungus infection that also causes hair loss. This fungus makes the scalp scaly and flaky, and causes the hair to break off at the surface of the scalp.
- Traumatic alopecia is the daily damage we do to our hair. This is especially common for people who use a variety of appliances on their hair. The heat of blow-dryers, curling irons, hot rollers, and straighteners can cause hair loss. Repeated pulling of hair into tight braids or cornrows may also cause hair to thin. Using harsh chemicals in hair colors or permanents may also lead to hair loss.
The Roots of Hair Loss
Alopecia may be triggered by several differentfactors, including:
- Chemical relaxers that are not used as directed and/or combined with permanent hair dyes or other chemical processes
- Hair pulling from braids, weaves, tight ponytails, hair rollers
- Hair pulling from natural styles such as long heavy locks or verytight twists
- High heat frpm blow dryers, hot combs, curling irons, or electric rollers
- Hormonal fluctuations (during the postpartum period or with the discontinuation of oral contraceptive pills)
- Hormonal abnormalities (polycystic ovarian syndrome or pcos,adrenal disease)
- Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- Chronic illness(e.g, lupus, HIV/AIDS)
- Severe iron-deficiency anemia
- Fungal infection/ringworm
- Bacterial infections(folliculitis)
- Severe fever or infection
- Surgery
- Low-protein diet
- Sudden, dramatic weight change
- Certain medications
- Chemotherapy
- Extreme stress
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