Thick, shiny, silky and well-groomed hair can be a serious cause for envy. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed by nature with thick hair. And under the influence of unfavorable factors, the hair on the head begins to fall out. Causes of hair loss – the most diverse. We tell you about the main ones, as well as give advice on hair care.
The main causes of hair loss
In order to understand why hair loss can occur, it is necessary to study the causes of this problem. All causes of hair loss are related to genetic, internal and external factors. Here are the main causes of hair loss:
- Genetic predisposition (androgenetic alopecia, or hereditary baldness).
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism).
- Stress and emotional factors.
- Improper diet and nutrient deficiencies (especially vitamins B, C, D and E).
- Medications and treatments (certain drugs such as chemotherapy, antidepressants, anticoagulants).
- Use of harsh hair care products.
- Environmental changes and pollution.
- Physical damage and trauma.
- Age.
Hair loss is a normal physiological process that occurs in all people. However, it is worth distinguishing between norm and pathology. Normally, we lose between 30 and 100 hairs every day.
Conduct a simple test at home: take a strand of hair, gently pull it between your fingers and see how many hairs are left in your hand. If 3-5 – it’s normal, if more, it’s worth thinking about.
You should also be concerned if:
- after blow-drying you see a lot of hair falling out;
- hair remains on the pillow after sleeping;
- after combing a lot of hair remains on the comb;
- having styled the hair, the hairstyle does not look voluminous.
Main causes of hair loss
- Lack of nutrients
The hair receives its nutrients at the very end, when other, more important systems have been nourished. If not enough nutrients are transferred, the hair not only starts to fall out, but also looks worse: it loses its shine, becomes dry and brittle.
- Chronic diseases
When the body directs all its energies to recover and fight disease, it simply has no time to nourish the hair. Hair follicles do not receive sufficient blood circulation, which affects their functioning.
Most often the condition of the hair is affected by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to disorders of the stomach, useful substances are poorly digested. Regular stress, thyroid diseases and hormonal disorders also affect hair growth.
- Lack of hair protection from sun, wind and cold
These external factors have a negative impact on women’s hair. When exposed to high or low temperatures, hair follicles are stressed, which contributes to strand loss.
- Heredity
If hair loss is due to genetic causes, the problem has been present since childhood. Hereditary hair loss cannot be treated.
- Diseases of the scalp
Shingles, eczema, dermatitis, seborrhea of the scalp disturb its normal structure and functioning. Violated regeneration functions, air exchange, the process of exfoliation of keratinized cells. All this hinders hair growth.
- Improper care
When unsuitable products are used, the hair is negatively affected by external influences. It can weaken the hair follicles and change the structure of the hair shaft, which leads to hair loss.
- Age
As the years go by, all the processes in the body slow down. Therefore, there may be abundant hair loss as well.
- Mechanical effects on the hair and scalp
These include tight hairstyles, hair extensions, rough brushing, lots of styling, and frequent use of thermal appliances.
How to prevent hair loss
1. Revise your diet
- Balance your diet by providing your body with enough nutrients.
- Vitamins A, E, C, B vitamins, especially biotin, are especially important for hair growth.
- Important micronutrients include iron, zinc, manganese, silicon, magnesium and calcium.
- Add more protein products, whole grain bread, buckwheat, sprouted wheat grains and coarse oatmeal to your diet.
- The presence in the diet of vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, greens, liver, nuts, cottage cheese, eggs, legumes is mandatory.
- You can additionally take collagen and spirulina. There are special vitamin and mineral complexes for strengthening hair. They contain an optimal set of all useful substances.
2. Do a check-up of your body
Check your hormones, gastrointestinal tract, thyroid, scalp. After getting the tests, see a general practitioner to decipher and get referrals to subspecialists, if necessary. They will prescribe medications.
3. Get plenty of rest
As mentioned, stress triggers hair loss. It also provokes fatigue and lack of sleep. Try to sleep at least 8 hours a day and get plenty of rest.
4. Wash your hair as often as necessary
A common myth is that you should wash your hair as little as possible to keep it from getting dirty. In fact, scalp secretion depends on many internal factors and scalp type.
If you wash your hair infrequently, you risk clogging your pores. Sebum, sweat, styling residue, dust and other impurities will block skin breathing. The result is dull hair, seborrhea, inflammation and slow hair growth.
5. Massage your scalp
There’s nothing more effective than stimulating hair growth with a massage. Before each wash, gently massage your scalp with your fingertips in gentle circular motions for about 15 minutes. You can also use special massagers.
6. Pay attention to hair care
It should be special and very gentle. It is worth selecting special care products that are aimed at combating hair loss and activating hair growth.
7. Switch to sulfate-free shampoos
They act as gently as possible, do not dry the scalp and hair, do not clog pores, improve the overall condition of the hair. By the way, sulfate-free shampoo is suitable for daily use.
8. Hair care also includes proper combing
Choose a soft, massaging comb. Comb your hair starting from the ends. The movements should be gentle and smooth.
Never tear your hair if you can’t comb a part of it. Sloppy actions will lead to damage and loss of hair, even healthy hair: it can literally be torn out in chunks. It is better to use special detangling products, hold the top part of the hair and try to gently comb the strands.
9. Avoid tight hairstyles and comb-overs
They provoke creases, disrupt blood circulation of the scalp, provoke hair loss.
Conclusion
Hair loss is a problem that many people face, but fortunately it is controllable and preventable. Proper hair care, balanced nutrition, regular massage and protection from environmental aggressors can help strengthen hair and slow hair loss. It is important to remember that prevention and timely referral to specialists can significantly reduce the risks of hair loss, as well as return them to health and beautiful appearance. Paying attention to your body and hair from the very beginning will help you avoid many problems and keep your hair thick and shiny for years to come.
