What exactly is premature hair loss?
First off, let's talk terminology. The correct term for what is often referred to as balding is actually
androgenic alopecia, which alludes to the influence of male hormones (“andro,” which means (“man,” in Ancient Greek) and their hereditary nature.
This particular type of hair loss is chronic in nature and is characterized by a disruption of the hair growth cycle, to the detriment of the anagen phase. As a result, hair loses density and the scalp becomes more visible. Hair becomes weakened and begins to thin out.
Premature hair loss, or androgenic alopecia, starts at the end of puberty. And, although men are more affected by it, some women also experience this type of hair loss. Good to know: 2/3 of men suffer from one type of hair loss or another before the age of 35.
The Hair life cycle
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that individual hairs essentially function like mini-organisms that have the ability to renew themselves according to a well-defined cycle. A single hair follicle can, in fact, create 25 individual hairs over the course of a lifetime!
Each time a hair grows, the pattern is the same:
- Anagen phase – a period of active hair growth – hair fibre production is triggered by stem cells. This phase lasts anywhere from 4 to 6 years for women and 2 to 4 years for men. When an individual has a healthy scalp, approximately 85% of the hairs on his (or her!) head are in the anagen phase.
- Catagen phase, when growth stops, the follicle shrinks and reduces in size before detaching itself from the epidermis. The entire process takes about 3 weeks.
- Telogen phase is the hair loss phase when strands detach themselves to fall out. The rest of the follicle enters a dormant phase.
Premature hair loss: a few explanations
It is estimated that someone with healthy hair loses anywhere between 50 and 100 hairs per day. A balance between daily hair loss and new growth is what ensures you always have a full head of hair. However, when other factors come into play, this balance can be thrown off, resulting in excessive hair loss that is referred to as alopecia.
More precisely, it is the ratio between hairs in the anagen phase and those in the telogen phase that is affected, specifically resulting in:
- a reduced anagen phase, thereby limiting hair growth
- a prolonged telogen phase, which increases the time between 2 hair growth cycles.
Consequence: hair loses its density and the scalp becomes more visible. In this weakened state, hair begins to thin out.
Genetic predisposition is primarily to blame for premature baldness. At the same time, there are other complementary factors that increase a person’s likelihood of hair loss:
- Male hormones (testosterone),
- Micro-inflammation
- Oxidative stress
- Weak vascularization
- Premature senescence
Moreover, these particular elements can be amplified or accelerated by other external factors such as poor diet, stress, tobacco, pollution or lack of sleep!
The good news is that alopecia is a process that is considered reversible since, despite the disruption of the growth cycle, hair follicles remain in place. As such, it’s possible to take control of and treat alopecia.
Natural solutions for premature baldness
There are a number of more or less invasive solutions to fight or slow androgenetic alopecia—for example, hair grafts, various aesthetic treatments or medication.
However, in addition to being costly, such treatments also come with a range of undesirable side effects.
This is precisely why, for dozens of years, PHYTO Paris has been developing treatments to fight hair loss NATURALLY.
And, because these treatments are natural, there are no unwanted side effects—only great results!
PHYTOLIUM+, to fight premature hair loss from its first signs
To fight the first signs of hair loss and slow its progression, Phyto Paris has created the PHYTOLIUM+ treatment. Its goal? To preserve your hair assets.
The treatment consists of two separate products: the Initial Stages Fortifying Shampoo [82% natural] and the Initial Stages Fortifying Treatment [93% natural].
The treatment’s formula focuses on the essentials—making hair stronger and preserving its appearance thanks to a duo of unique active ingredients:
Shiitake extract – 2 research patents – a mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine to fight premature signs of hair ageing and protect the scalp from oxidative stress.
Vitamin B3, which works in synergy with Shiitake, to revitalize hair’s beauty.