Hair loss is typically something that happens to adults as they get older. However, in some cases, younger people might lose their hair too, which may be an indication that something is going on. Hair loss in the adolescent years may be due to illness, medications used to treat illnesses (ex: chemotherapy), or simply because the person is not eating properly. Many people even lose their hair if they wear a hairstyle all the time that pulls on the hair for an extended period of time, such as braids or a bun. Losing hair for a teenager can be especially traumatic because this is a time in their lives where they are trying to fit in with their peers and where looks are everything.

Cycle of Life

Your hair is made out of a protein called keratin, and the hair on your head goes through a cycle of growth and rest. Each cycle is specific to the individual, which simply means that some people grow hair faster than others. In general, the growth phase of scalp hair (aka: anagen) typically lasts between two and three years. During this time, your hair will grow approximately one centimeter a month. The resting phase (aka: telogen) usually lasts around three to four months; and at the end of this phase, the hair strand falls out and a new one begins to grow in its place. Once you shed hair, the cycle repeats itself.

Talk to a Doctor

Most humans shed anywhere from 50-100 hairs a day, which shouldn’t be too noticeable since the human head contains around 100,000 hairs. However, if you live in North Carolina and� are concerned about your hair loss, talk to your local NC healthcare provider or see a specialist. A lot of individual health insurance plans in North Carolina nowadays will cover hair loss treatment. Either way, it is smart to find out what is going on, especially if you are a teenager. Hair says a lot about a person; it can make a statement to people, and it can also tell you important things about yourself if you listen closely.

Tags: Health, Health Insurance, Healthy Living //