Widespread Opinions About Alopecia Causes and Explanations

Hair grows everywhere on the human body except on the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet, but many hairs are so fine they're virtually invisible. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin (the same protein in nails) produced in hair follicles in the outer layer of skin. As follicles produce new hair cells, old cells are being pushed out through the surface of the skin at the rate of about 15 cm a year. The hair you can see is actually a string of dead keratin cells. The average adult head has about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs and loses up to 100 of them a day.
Below are some widespread opinions about causes of alopecia and explanations why they are not true.
Alopecia is Life Threatening - Alopecia areata hair loss is a non-life threatening autoimmune disease. People with alopecia areata are in good health and do not experience pain from the hair loss.
DHT is The Only Culprit in Hair Loss - While it is true that overproduction of the male hormone or androgen called DHT is an important cause of hair loss in men and women, it is not the only cause.
DHT is a natural form of testosterone produced by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. Binding of this metabolite to its receptors in the hair follicle is thought to lead to hair loss. Many chemical drugs and natural supplements either inhibit the production of DHT or prevent it from binding its follicular receptors.
In addition to preventing the overproduction of DHT, your Alopecia treatment regimen should also include providing nutrients and vitamins to strengthen existing hair, prevent hair fall out due to damage, and promote new hair growth. Improving blood circulation to the follicles can also be used treat hair loss.
You Can Increase the Number of Hair Follicles - You are born with all the follicles you'll ever have. The number of hair follicles is determined by genetics and cannot be changed by taking drugs or supplements. The only proven way to increase the number of follicles is by hair transplant surgery. Similarly, the diameter of hair shaft, the maximum length of growth, rate of hair growth, hair color, tendency to curl, and tendency to gray are genetically determined.
Myth: Wearing Hats Can Cause Hair Loss - Unless the hat is worn so tight as to cut off circulation to the hair follicles, wearing a hat does not cause hair to fall out. Instead, hats can contribute positively by blocking the sun and preventing sunburn.
Wearing hat for too long especially in hot and humid climate, however, can contribute to the excretion and accumulation of sebum and oil on your hair. Sebum is a waxy substance that is secreted by the sebaceous glands in your skin onto hair follicles. Overtime, sebum can react with cholesterol to create a hardened sebum plug that cuts off oxygen circulation to the hair follicles and cause it to fall out. Sebum plug can also accumulate dirt and become a breeding ground for bacteria and contributing to hair loss.
Excessive washing of hair causes hair loss - As mentioned above, Hair loss products do not harm hair. The same goes for frequency; you can wash your hair as often as you like, although three times a week is the recommended amount.