Our bodies are susceptible to change and growth. As we grow older, the body experiences change like organs getting worn out, the skin becoming wrinkly, hair starting to turn gray, and many such changes that take place gradually. Sometimes, these changes are so gradual that it's easy to overlook them or not notice them at all.

Any kind of change that helps you figure out if a certain bodily function is not working well is your body's way of telling you that it's aging. Oftentimes, when organs slow down, it's time for people to stop taking them for granted and start engaging in healthy habits to help them deal with things that are part of getting old.

For example, at the age of 16, it may be easy for you to eat a very spicy dish and not feel heartburn the next day, but that capacity is going to shrink with time. We grow old, and our bodies tell us what's happening internally. It's our job to pay attention to what it's saying and try to take its best possible care.

When it comes to change, our hair is no exception. But, unlike other parts of our body, hair has a growth cycle. This means that hair growth circularly takes place throughout our lives.

Hair fall is a common result of the hair growth cycle. There are four stages of the hair growth cycle - growing, transitioning, resting, and shedding. The growing phase, also known as the anagen stage, is when the hair follicles start to grow hair. This phase can last anywhere from 3 to 10 years.

Once the hair is grown, it is pushed out by the hair follicle. This is called the transition phase, otherwise known as the catagen stage. During this stage, the hair comes out of the base of the follicle and continues to grow. This stage lasts for two to three weeks.

Then comes the resting phase, also referred to as the telogen stage. This stage lasts for two to three months. During this phase, there's neither perceivable hair growth nor hair fall. Instead, this rest period allows hair production from the hair follicles that have just released hair in the catagen stage.

And lastly, we have the exogen phase. The exogen phase is defined by the shedding of the hair that has naturally reached the end of its lifespan. This lasts for two to five months. On any given day, we lose at least 50-100 strands. Again, this is natural, and it's a part of the hair growth cycle.

After the hair sheds, the cycle begins all over again. Now, where does the problem occur? Why does excessive hair fall take place? Does new hair grow in place of hair that has fallen off? These are some of the most common concerns people have when it comes to hair health.

 

Hair Fall - Does Hair Grow Back After Falling From the Root?

Hair health is an important part of our daily life. This is because the way our hair looks contributes to our appearance. From the way we dress to the makeup we apply, hair is a huge factor in determining self-confidence, especially in social situations.

That is just one reason why people make a big fuss about hair products, hairstyles, hair color, hair type, and much more.

Today, we will be talking about hair fall, what causes it, and how to prevent it. Furthermore, our goal here is to bust a few myths about hair loss, what happens when hair falls off the root, and what we can do to accelerate overall hair growth.

Let's get started.

 

The question of the hour is - if a hair strand is pulled from the root, will hair grow back in its place? Well, the simple answer to this question is yes, hair does grow back even if it falls off with the root.

 

Causes of Hair Fall - Does it Grow Back Every Time?

As we know, hair has its own growth cycle that determines when it grows and when it sheds. There are approximately 100,000 hair follicles on the scalp. The way these follicles work, i.e., how they produce hair and the kind of hair they produce, largely depend on genetics.

Apart from genetics, there are other factors responsible for your hair health. For example, if everything is functioning properly, i.e., no stress, hormonal imbalance, heat styling treatments, or lack of nutrients, and the hair growth cycle is on track, the hair will grow back.

This means that even if a hair strand is pulled out deliberately from the root, another strand will grow in its place.

However, if the underlying cause of hair fall is more complicated, you will experience different results. Whether your hair grows back from the root or not depends on the cause of hair fall, how it's treated, etc. The nature of the condition determines future hair growth, especially in cases where the individual has started seeing small bald patches or thinning hair.

 

Pattern Baldness

There are two patterns of hair loss - male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness. Pattern baldness is usually hereditary, seeing as how it's caused due to genetic factors. It's also known as androgenetic alopecia.

Hair fall caused by pattern baldness is generally permanent. There is very little chance of the hair growing back, even with treatment. While the hair does not grow back, your doctor can help you slow down the process of hair loss and stop further hair loss. This involves topical treatment with Minoxidil.

If the condition is caught in its early stages, then nutraceuticals like Nutrafol and Viviscal and platelet-rich plasma therapy may be prescribed.

 

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system starts to attack itself. The immune system damages the hair follicles, which stunts their ability to produce hair. Alopecia areata causes hair loss in patches, leaving behind inactive hair follicles that can't stimulate scalp production. 

This condition is extremely volatile. The hair may grow back out, but there's no way to predict when this might happen and the reason behind it. If the hair does grow back, chances are that it will fall off again.

 

Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis is a chronic skin condition wherein there is rapid growth in skin cells. This leads to an abrased build-up of cells on the scalp that appears red and patchy. These scaly red patches are also known as plaques. 

When certain areas on the scalp are red and itchy, it leads to temporary hair loss. In cases of scalp psoriasis, the hair grows back once the scalp is treated and the itching subsides. Treatment for scalp psoriasis involves UV therapy and medication that may be taken orally or applied directly to the scalp.

It's important to keep in mind that there is no cure for scalp psoriasis. Your best bet is to ignore possible triggers like smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, etc. This can help reduce the frequency of flare-ups.

 

Hormonal Disturbances

Hormonal imbalance is one of the leading causes of hair fall. It's common among people with PCOS, PCOD, and other conditions that lead to hormonal disruption. This type of hair loss is temporary, but it's impossible to predict when the hair might grow back.

 

Stress

Both emotional and physical stress can lead to severe hair loss. It's a result of an individual's mental state due to problems like the loss of a loved one, depression, surgery, or childbirth. Stress-related hair loss is also known as telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium usually represents itself two to three months after a particularly stress-inducing event has occurred. It can last for 6 months. However, in cases of prolonged stress that goes on for long periods, hair loss is likely to persist for years on end.

 

Thyroid

Thyroid problems like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism lead to major hormonal imbalances in the thyroid hormone. This can lead to hair fall. The hair fall lasts until the thyroid disorder has been treated and tends to grow back after the symptoms have settled down.

 

Nutritional Deficiency

Gut health influences hair health. Hair loss often takes place when the body lacks nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that are important for it to function properly. This is one of the reasons why your diet needs to incorporate enough biotin, iron, and zinc.

 

Chemotherapy

When someone undergoes chemotherapy, their body is pumped with chemicals and radiation treatments to kill the cancerous cells. Unfortunately, this fast-acting procedure often leads to hair loss because the scalp's skin cells are also susceptible to this damage.

Hair loss due to chemotherapy generally lasts for the duration of the treatment. It starts to grow back once the treatment has been completed. Permanent hair loss due to chemotherapy is extremely rare.

 

Preventing Hair Fall and Promoting Hair Growth

When we talk about hair loss and hair growth, it's essential to be aware of the factors that can affect them. Some of these are as follows:

• Genetics
• Medications like antidepressants and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
• Hormonal Imbalances
• Mental health disorders like anxiety, panic, major depression, personality disorders, etc
• Lack of necessary nutrients like zinc, iron, and biotin.
• Skin conditions like scalp psoriasis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, etc.
• Fungal, viral, and bacterial infections of the scalp

 

So, how do you prevent it from happening? And if it happens, what should you do to make sure that it grows back? Let's find out.

 

Gut Health

Your gut health governs many functions of the body. If you are consuming a lot of gluten, fast food, sugar, alcohol, and fried foods and avoiding healthy food like green vegetables, it may cause hair loss. Maintaining healthy hair begins with gut health. Therefore, it's important to eat heart-healthy food that improves your overall health.

 Furthermore, if you're not able to increase your vitamin intake through food, you can talk to your doctor about supplements for the same. In case your diet doesn't include iron, folic acid, biotin, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc, supplements may be effective.

 

Hair Care

Your hair care starts with the hair products you use. Try to find gentle and clarifying shampoos that don't contain harmful substances like parabens, sulfates, and silicones. Invest in products that include necessary hair proteins like keratin.

 If you have dry hair that's prone to frizz and tangles, don't run a comb through it mindlessly. Instead, use a moisturizing conditioner after the shampoo and detangle your hair while the conditioner is still on the hair. If you have dry ends, find a serum that works for your hair.

Furthermore, try to avoid tight hairstyles and heat styling treatments. Tight hairstyles like ponytails can put a lot of stress on the hair follicles. This pressure causes the hair to break and fall. Likewise, excessive use of heat-styling products like blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners can damage the natural texture of your hair. Also, it's essential to protect your hair and scalp from possible sun damage.

If possible, avoid treating your hair chemically for permanent or semi-permanent coloring. Bleach is created to open up the hair cuticle and strip off the natural color of the hair. This makes the hair more susceptible to damage.

 

DHT Blocker

Another popular product to use is a DHT blocker, like HAIRFINITY DHT Blocker. This enriched formula features Saw Palmetto, a powerful DHT blocker, clinically proven to help stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth. Also includes Biotin which promotes the growth and maintenance of existing hair. These hair loss prevention vitamins are safe and effective for men and women.

 

So, now that you know that certain type of hair fall is reversible and your hair can regrow, it's time to engage in healthy hair practices that make this happen. It can help create a friendly environment for your hair to grow. 

Don't wash your hair too often. The stripping agents in shampoos can cause the hair to dry off, become brittle, and eventually fall off. Quitting smoking can also help improve your hair health and create a rather healthy environment for hair growth.

Pay close attention to your hair's needs. Remember to account for factors like weather, your natural hair texture, and how it behaves on a daily basis while picking out hair products.

Make sure to steer clear of unprescribed over-the-counter oral and topical medications, as they can cause more harm than good. And most importantly, if you notice an unusual amount of hair fall, consult a doctor as soon as possible for an early diagnosis.