Hair loss has become a serious problem in the world today. It leads to a loss of self-confidence, depression, anxiety and loss of self-esteem. For example, as per a study in Canada in 2022, more than 95% of people felt self-conscious about their appearance. This was due to Alopecia (alopecie) Areata. This condition refers to hair loss that may be permanent or temporary, depending on severity.
To understand why it happens, you will have to first understand the science behind hair growth. After that, you will get to learn more about the causes, possible risks, and solutions for this condition.
What is the Science Behind Hair Growth?
Hair growth takes place in four main phases: anagen, catagen, telogen and exogen.
These phases refer to hair growth, transition and resting phases, respectively. The final stage involves the shedding of the old hair.
Take a look at the table below to know what happens in these phases.
| Hair Growth Stage | What Happens During This Phase |
| Anagen (Hair growth) | Your hair follicles push our existing hair strands and make them grow until trimmed or cut. It takes place for about 2 to 8 years. |
| Catagen (Transition) | Your hair growth plateaus during this period or slows down. This is due to the shrinking of the hair follicles. The hair strands also separate from the hair follicle. This phase lasts for up to 14 days. |
| Telogen (Resting) | The hair strands that were growing stop during this hair, while new strands grow elsewhere. It lasts for up to 3 months. |
| Exonogen | Involves hair being shed from your scalp normally. Hair also sheds when you bathe or brush it. This phase can go on for quite a while. |
Table 1: Hair Growth Phases
Alopecia occurs at any one of these stages or leads to shortened hair growth stages. But what causes it? Let’s take a look at the reasons below.
What Are the Common Causes of Alopecia (Alopecie)?
Alopecia is commonly caused due to genetic factors, autoimmune disorders, hormonal imbalance, lifestyle and stress and nutritional deficiencies.
Genetics (Androgenetic Alopecia)
Genetic factors play a significant role in leading to alopecia (alopecie). For instance, you might have a family history of alopecia in your family. This could lead to a hereditary strain known as androgenetic alopecia.
Androgenetic alopecia happens in both females and males. It is known as male-pattern baldness in males and female-pattern hair loss. You will observe an M-shaped patch on your head and thinning of the crown hair as a man.
As a woman, you will observe hair thinning on the top of your head and an increase in your middle parting. Some medical conditions that are connected to androgenetic alopecia in men include prostate enlargement, insulin resistance and high blood pressure. In women, associated medical conditions include PCOS, which leads to irregular menstrual periods.
Androgenetic alopecia (alopecie) is also caused by a variation in the Androgen Receptor gene. This gene impacts how well a man’s body responds to the DiHydroTestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone is responsible for hair growth in men.
Autoimmune Disorders (Alopecia Areata)
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder that leads to hair loss on the head and eyebrows. It does not spread from person to person and takes place in healthy people. You can understand whether or not you have this condition by studying the symptoms.
These symptoms include patchy hair and beard loss. This condition occurs when your immune system attacks your hair follicles by considering them a threat. Then, inflammation takes place, which disrupts your hair growth.
Hormonal Imbalances
A change in your body’s hormonal levels also leads to alopecia in Laval (alopecie Laval). The hormonal level changes that impact hair loss are during thyroid issues, PCOS, and menopause. Thyroid hormones play an important role in hair growth. They impact the anagen phase by extending it and stimulate the production of keratin. But when the level of thyroid hormones drops or exceeds the normal threshold, you experience hair thinning. This is because of the negative or incorrect signalling received due to the excessive thyroid hormones.
PCOS is a hormonal condition in women wherein they experience irregular menstrual cycles, infertility and hair loss. During this condition, their body produces an increased amount of DHT due to insulin resistance. This leads to a shortening of the hair follicles and a reduction in hair growth cycles.
Menopause refers to the age when a woman’s body no longer undergoes menstrual cycles. Their estrogen levels also drop during this phase in their lives, which leads to hair thinning.
Stress and Lifestyle Factors
Stress and lifestyle factors play a role in triggering alopecia (alopecie). Factors include chronic stress, a poor diet, smoking and lack of sleep. When we are stressed, our body’s cortisol levels increase.
Poor sleep also increases cortisol levels. An increase in cortisol levels sends a negative signal to the hair follicles, which triggers an extended telogen phase. Your hair follicles stop growing actively, and you experience no new hair growth. One condition associated with stress includes Telogen Effluvium, which refers to thinning of hair on the top of your head.
A poor diet means a diet low in proteins and carbohydrates, which are essential building blocks for hair. Apart from that, a poor diet also means a lack of Vitamin D, Zinc, and iron. You should also avoid taking supplements like selenium and vitamin E, and vitamin A excessively. Smoking leads to restricted blood flow to your hair follicles, which leads to alopecia (alopecie). In fact, a study in 2020 showed hair loss in smokers.
Take a look at the table below to understand the factors associated with causing alopecia at a glance.
| Factor | Impact Level | Explanation |
| Genetic Predisposition | High | Inherited from one or both parents |
| Autoimmune Diseases | High | Leads to follicle inflammation |
| Hormonal Changes | Medium to High | Common in women with PCOS or menopause |
| Stress & Trauma | Medium | Can trigger telogen effluvium due to high cortisol levels |
| Poor Nutrition | Low to Medium | Often a contributing factor |
Table 2: Risk Factors for Alopecie
Which Proven Medical and Natural Solutions Exist for Alopecia?
You can opt for FDA-approved treatments, advanced therapies, natural remedies and lifestyle modifications to treat alopecia Laval (alopecie Laval). Let’s explore each of them in clearly defined tables below.
FDA-Approved Treatments
The FDA-approved treatments include using Minoxidil, Finasteride and corticosteroid injections.
| Treatment | What It Does |
| Minoxidil (topical) | Induces hair growth; Hair loss might continue for 2 weeks; consult your doctor if this persists |
| Finasteride (oral, men only) | Induces hair growth in 6 months |
| Corticosteroid injections (for alopecia areata) | Brings about hair growth; however, hair loss may restart after treatment. Consult your doctor before opting for these injections |
Table 3: FDA-Approved Treatments for Alopecie
Advanced Therapies
Advanced therapies for Alopecia include PRP, Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and Hair Transplant Surgery.
| Treatment | What It Does |
| PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) | Boosts hair growth by using plasma-rich concentrations from patients’ own blood |
| Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) | Involves using a low-frequency laser to stimulate hair growth; is used for androgenetic alopecia |
| Hair transplant surgery | Is the standard treatment for alopecia areata; Involves taking hair from a donor region in the body and placing it on the bald region |
Table 4: Advanced Treatments for Alopecie
Lifestyle Modifications
You can practice lifestyle modifications like yoga, meditation, following a nutrient-rich diet, and avoiding sugar-rich products.
| Treatment | What It Does |
| Yoga and Meditation | Reduces cortisol levels, restores inner balance, and stimulates blood flow to the scalp; The blood flow stimulates hair growth. |
| Nutrient-Rich Diet | Provides the body with vital nutrients like Vitamin D, Iron, and Zinc, which stimulate hair growth; |
| Avoiding Sugar Rich Products | Will help you avoid male pattern hair loss |
Table 5: Lifestyle Modifications Treatments for Alopecie
When Should You Visit a Specialist?
You should visit a specialist in case you notice the following persistent symptoms:
- Persistent or rapid hair loss
- Bald patches or inflammation
- Emotional or psychological effects
They will be able to diagnose your condition and suggest a treatment cycle accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Alopecie is a complex condition which is treatable, provided you contact a doctor in time. You should connect with them before opting for the FDA-approved or advanced therapy treatments.
That’s because they will be able to determine the right treatment according to your hair loss condition.
Treat Your Alopecia Today
Consult a dermatologist near you in Laval or your country today to enjoy an effective treatment cycle for alopecia!