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Hair Loss : Causes, Treatment & Prevention

What is Hair Loss ?

Hair loss is something that everyone goes through on a daily basis. Most people lose 50 to 100 hairs every day as part of their natural cycle, with the number of hairs lost increasing on days when they wash their hair. But what if you glance at your pillow, shower drain, or comb and see that you're losing a lot more than that?Talking to your doctor or dermatologist is the greatest thing you can do. They'll figure out why you're losing hair and make sure you get the therapy you need if it's due to a medical issue. 

Possible Causes for Hair Loss

Here are a few of the possible causes of abrupt hair loss:

Telogen Effluvium

This form of hair loss might occur three to six months after you have experienced a stressful event. These stresses, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, might include:

1. Surgery

2. Having a child

3. Getting a divorce or losing your career

4. High temperature

5. Recovering from an illness

Alopecia Areata

Round bald patches are a common symptom of this kind of hair loss. According to NYU Langone Health, it can cause you to lose hair abruptly and apparently out of nowhere. The disease occurs when your immune system assaults your hair follicles by mistake. It's possible that your hair will regrow on its own or with therapy.

Particular Medications

Your hair loss might be caused by blood thinners or chemotherapy medications.

Nutritional Issues

Too little iron or too much vitamin A are two examples.

5 Hair Loss Causes That Don't Have Anything To Do With Your Health

It might be tough to determine what is causing your hair loss symptoms. Hair loss can take various forms, and some of them might occur without the presence of an underlying medical issue. Your primary care physician and dermatologist can assist you in determining the reasons for hair loss and developing a treatment plan tailored to your needs, which may include lifestyle modifications. Hair loss can be caused by a variety of reasons unrelated to health, including:

Medications

Hair loss is a common adverse effect of several prescription and over-the-counter medicines. This can occur when a drug causes actively growing hair follicles to enter a resting phase and shed (telogen effluvium) or prevents developing cells from proliferating (anagen effluvium).

Hair loss can be caused by a variety of medicines. The following items are on the list:

• Medication for high blood pressure

• Mood stabilizers and antidepressants

• Pills for birth control

• Medication for gout

Vitamins A & E in Diet

Low amounts of protein, iron, zinc, selenium, Vitamin D, and biotin, as well as dietary inadequacies, might cause your hair to thin and fall out. Micronutrients, which include vitamins and minerals, maintain hair health by aiding cellular turnover and improving immune cell activity, according to a 2019 study published in Dermatology and Therapy. Hair loss caused by dietary deficiencies and a lack of essential nutrients, however, is typically reversible.

Hair Loss Due to Genetics

Hair loss isn't necessarily a sign of illness. It might also be a result of your ancestors' genes. Male and female pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is known to occur in families, with genetic contributions from both the mother and father's sides.

Androgenetic Alopecia

It is a hormone-related condition in which men's hair follicles have a shorter life span than usual, resulting in thin, short hair shafts.

Stress

Stress is a recognized cause of hair loss and it is very often observed when someone goes through major emotional or physical stress.

Hair Loss Prevention

Consulting a dermatologist for hair loss prevention is the best step you can take. Along with medication, they may also suggest certain lifestyle modifications to help you avoid further hair loss. Some men benefit from these professional recommendations for fuller, healthier hair.

Take Control of Stress

It is advised to patients suffering from any form of hair loss to reduce stress by exercising, getting enough sleep, and engaging in self-care activities such as meditation or yoga.

Harmful Hairstyles

Traction alopecia is a disorder that occurs when your hair is pushed back firmly in hairstyles like buns, ponytails, or braids. Hair strands get weaker as a result of tugging, and the scalp might become damaged as a result. Broken hairs, hair loss, and bald patches along the frontal hairline may appear in this situation.

“If the hairstyle is stopped earlier in the process, the problem can be reversed,” dermatologists say.

Develop a Scalp Massage Routine

A 5-minute scalp massage is recommended once a day as a simple way to not only stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles but also to allow patients some time to relax.

Make a Change to Your Diet

Top-notch nutrition is the foundation for great hair. Essentially, having a healthy, balanced diet and proper hydration with water consumption is connected to keeping healthy skin and hair. It is advised that a diet rich in:

• Proteins that are good for you

• Vegetables and fruits

• Nuts

Sugar and processed meals should be avoided.

Use Supplements When Necessary

Hair loss can be caused by a deficiency in certain nutrients. Among these nutrients are:

• Protein 

• Iron 

• Zinc 

• Omega-3 fatty acids

• Biotin

  
  

  
  

Hair Care

Natural Remedies for Hair Loss & Thinning

Home remedies can help treat some types of hair loss. The right natural remedies for hair loss may depend on the actual reason why your hair is thinning, so it’s important to talk to a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. 

Better Hair Care

No matter why your hair is falling out, it’s important to adopt an appropriate hair care routine in order to reduce breakage and help the hair you still have to remain full and healthy. Try these helpful hair care strategies: 

1. Avoid putting your hair into very tight ponytails and similar styles. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, this can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia, which pulls the hair out of its root. 

2. Try sleeping in a satin cap or with a satin pillowcase, to avoid pulling or breaking the hair at night. 

3. Reduce the use of hot styling tools, which can break the hair. Harsh dyes and bleaches may also cause breakage. 

4. Experiment with conditioners and other hair products to help keep the hair moisturized and reduce breakage. 

5. Decrease washing your hair to 3 times a week or less.

6. To avoid tugging or damaging your hair at night, sleep in a satin hat or on a satin pillowcase.

7. Hot styling tools, which can damage the hair, should be used sparingly. Breakage can also be caused by harsh dyes and bleaches.

8. To keep your hair nourished and avoid breakage, experiment with conditioners and other hair treatments.

9. Reduce your hair shampooing to three times a week or fewer.

Supplements & Vitamins

1. Iron insufficiency is a significant cause of hair loss in premenopausal women.

2. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to hair thinning.

3. Zinc deficiency can cause hair to break or fall out.

4. Selenium deficiency can cause hair loss. However, it is a rare cause of thinning hair.

5. Hypothyroidism is known to play a significant influence in hair loss. This is also true of some medications, hormone disorders, and even stress. 

Hair loss can be slowed or even reversed if these medical issues are properly managed.

Conclusion

Hair loss can affect your self-esteem, appearance, and confidence. You may feel powerless over your own body, but the truth is there’s a lot you can do to slow or even reverse your hair loss. While home hair loss cures might help, it's crucial to understand why you're losing your hair in the first place. Don't put off seeking medical help because it could lead to more hair loss and make finding an effective treatment more difficult.

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