Whether you’ve spent your entire life attempting to add volume to lifeless locks or control thick, unruly strands, you’ve certainly thought of your hair as “problem hair” at some point.
However, that term has acquired a new significance and a new cause for alarm if you’ve recently noticed more hair in your shower drain or that your hair is beginning to thin. What is the reason behind this recent rash of hair loss? What’s more, are you able to stop it?
You should first realize that you are not alone. According to experts, over 30 million women (or roughly a third of that amount) experience female pattern hair loss. More than 50% of women are predicted to experience hair loss at some time in their life.
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HOW MUCH HAIR LOSS IS NORMAL?
50 to 100 hair strands should fall out on average each day. If you wash your hair only once or twice a week, especially if you have long hair, this figure may somewhat increase owing to a buildup of hair that is losing its hair.
All of this is a typical aspect of your hair’s anagen (active growth), catagen (transition), and telogen life cycles (resting and shedding). Since your follicles are all in varying stages of growth and shedding, you typically don’t notice this cycle, which can last anywhere from two to six years.
However, if you notice more than 125 hair strands falling out per day, bald areas on your head, or a widening of your hairline, then something is clearly wrong. When that happens, it’s time to examine your hair’s condition more closely.
THE REASONS BEHIND HAIR LOSS
What, therefore, is the cause of your issues? Determining whether it’s a relatively straightforward issue you can manage yourself or something that will require more forceful intervention is crucial so you can move forward with the proper course of treatment.
The following common causes can help you narrow things down, but it’s always a good idea to speak with a specialist who can ensure you’re on the right track and assess your general health.
MENOPAUSE
Yes, the same hormonal fluctuations that can result in hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, and other adorably unpleasant problems can also cause hair loss. Estrogen levels fall throughout menopause.
As a result of increased androgen sensitivity brought on by the drop in estrogen, the hair follicles may become weaker and smaller.
Menopause-related hair loss can be treated with a variety of methods, including oral medicine, hormone replacement therapy, topical Minoxidil treatments, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
THE “PULLING” HAIRSTYLES
The things we do to make our hair seem wonderful can occasionally go terribly wrong. This is true for some hairstyles, such as tight braids, tight buns, and tight ponytails, as well as hair extensions and weaves.
These hairstyles’ tendency to pull can result in traction alopecia, a type of hair loss that, left untreated, can lead to permanent hair loss.
It could be time to let your hair loose for a bit and let it mend and recuperate if you detect broken hairs around your hairline, a receding hairline, or spotty loss.
OVER STYLING
Similar to repeated harsh chemical treatments, such as perms and relaxers, these can be troublesome and, in severe situations, result in scalp scarring, which would obstruct hair development.
On the other side, excessive hot tool style (especially when done incorrectly), regular hair colouring, and rough brushing can make strands brittle and make them more prone to breaking.
Despite the fact that these latter problems do not actually cause hair loss, your broken strands can accelerate thinning and make your hair look less than glamorous.
What actions can you do to stop hair loss and promote hair growth?
- Ensure that you are consuming the appropriate vitamins and minerals: Supplements can be just as effective as including more of the good things in your meals.
Dermatologists and trichologists both prefer zinc and biotin (one of the B complex vitamins) because they support healthy follicles, healthy hair growth, and strong hair, respectively.
Both of them are present in HUM’s Hair Sweet Hair in addition to folic acid, fo-ti, B12, and PABA. (Added bonus: These delicious gummies are vegan.)
- When styling hair, be gentle with it: Because our hair is a protein fibre, it can only withstand so much heat before burning and falling out.
When utilizing a heated instrument, it’s important to work in orderly chunks and keep the heat setting low.
Avoid using brushes with plastic bristles and metal centres if your hair is delicate, and use wooden brushes with boar bristles instead.
- Keep your hair moist: Your exact hair type will determine the product you choose, but keeping the cuticle healthy requires that hair not be excessively dry.
Although B vitamins are beneficial when taken, there is no evidence to support the effectiveness of biotin when applied topically.
Nevertheless, several shampoos and conditioners containing biotin are highly recommended by hair specialists for maintaining healthy hair follicles and nourished hair.
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