Hair loss over time can be caused by anything from stress to aging. Women can lose hair due to certain reproductive diseases, medication side effects or scalp infections. Although some benign conditions can cause sudden hair loss, any instance of sudden hair loss should be reported to a physician.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses toxins by injection to slow or reverse the spread of cancer. Rapid hair loss is one of the most well-known side effects of chemotherapy. Normally, people who go through chemotherapy lose scalp hair, but they may also lose facial hair. Chemotherapy is designed to attack rapidly growing cancer cells. However, according to MayoClinic.com, these drugs also attack other rapidly growing cells, including the cells of the hair. In chemotherapy, depending on the dose given and the length of therapy, hair loss can be simple thinning or complete baldness. The hair may come out gradually or in clumps. Hair loss may also occur all over the body, called alopecia universalis. MayoClinic.com also states that hair loss as a result of chemotherapy is not usually permanent and can fully grow back within three to 10 months after treatment. As long as the chemotherapy is continued, the hair will continue coming out. Unfortunately, hair loss due to chemotherapy cannot be prevented.
Childbirth
After a woman has given birth, her body goes through several changes. One change she may notice is hair loss or hair thinning. This condition is known as postpartum hair loss or telogen effluvium. The hair goes through three stages during its growth. The first stage, called anagen, produces actively growing hair. In anagen, cells in the hair bulbs divide and produce new hair in over 85 to 90 percent of the scalp, according to Pregnancy Today. The second stage, called catagen, involves the hair follicles shrinking and the lower part of the follicles being destroyed. The third stage, telogen, is known as the resting stage. This stage is when hair begins to fall out due to the shrunken follicle. This phase lasts up to four months. During pregnancy, more hair than usual enters the anagen, or active-growing stage. This is why some women notice that their hair becomes thicker or fuller during pregnancy. However, one to five months after giving birth, a woman may notice her hair thinning or falling out rapidly. This is due to the body regulating itself, and the hair loss will gradually taper off over 15 months.
Cicatricial Alopecia
Cicatricial alopecia, or scarring alopecia, can cause patchy and sometimes permanent hair loss. Cicatricial alopecia comes from the scalp being scarred, causing the hair follicles to also become scarred; this causes permanent damage. Using chemical hair products may cause this form of alopecia. However, using these products incorrectly may cause rapid and even irreversible hair loss. Products that contain harsh bleaches or chemicals such as hair dye, chemical relaxers or chemical perms may cause chemical burns on the scalp, which result in scabbing and hair loss. In some cases, if these products are discontinued, hair growth may develop over time; but in some cases, the hair loss is so severe that treatments such as steroid injections or hair grafts may be necessary for hair restoration.
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