Hair loss affects 1 in 3 women! Why is my hair falling out? And what can we do to prevent excessive hair loss? Read the below to find out why my hair is falling out? Hair loss can be a traumatic experience for many people. You may not even know that you have thinning hair until it starts to show on the top of your head. Hair loss is very common among women and can happen due to stress, hormonal changes, or birth control pills. It is important that if you are experiencing hair loss, you consult with a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. This blog post will discuss why some people lose their hair as they age and how this problem can be solved with the right guidance from a professional.
The first thing to understand about thinning hair is what causes it in the first place – typically there are two reasons: genetics or external factors such as stress or even hormones (from pregnancy).
Hair Loss Research might have the answer
This shows that at least 1 in 3 women will suffer from hair loss or reduced hair volume. So why is my hair falling out. Our hair plays a major part in our self-confidence and how we portray ourselves. It is a part of our personal brand and without it we can find ourselves feeling lost and depressed. Naturally, we shed about 80 strands per day, but anything more than this may be a cause for concern. There are many different causes of hair loss. We can split these into two main types, the first being genetic and the other is reactive.
So why is my hair falling out?
- Genetic
There’s a chance you’re genetically predisposed to hair thinning, which means you may see a progressive, gradual reduction in hair volume. Basically, your hair follicles are sensitive to male hormones and this causes the follicles to shrink over time and results in finer and shorter hairs with each hair growth cycle. - Reactive
Excessive hair shedding (also known as telogen effluvium) may also be due to a trigger. Nutritional deficiency, severe stress, illness or crash dieting may trigger an internal imbalance in your system.
so why is my hair falling out
While there are many reasons for hair loss, we have narrowed it down to several of the most common triggers.
- Stress
Stress is known to raise male hormones called androgen, which can cause hair loss. So it is no old wives tale that stress can make your hair fall out! Stress can also trigger scalp issues, such as dandruff, mess around with your eating habits and wreak havoc with your digestive system. All of the above can have a negative impact on your hair growth! - Hormonal imbalance
If your hormones are out of balance, it can lead to a myriad of health issues. Hormones play a major role in regulating the hair growth cycle. Oestrogens, which are female hormones are good for your hair and assist to keep growth on track. On the other hand, androgens (male hormones) are not very kind to your hair and can stunt your hair growth cycle. - Thyroid issues
The thyroid plays a vital role in regulating the body’s metabolism by controlling the production of proteins and tissue use of oxygen. A thyroid imbalance (hyper- or hypo- thyroidism) can therefore affect your hair follicles. Untreated hypothyroidism may also lead to anemia, which is another condition that can wreak havoc with your hair. - Iron deficiency/ anemia
Anemia is the leading cause of hair loss in women. Iron is essential for producing hair cell protein and without it, your strands will suffer! - Age
Along with many changes in the body that age brings upon us, you may also see an effect on your hair. Especially those of us who are entering menopause. With age, our hair naturally gets finer. However, with a healthy, balanced lifestyle we can attempt to maintain our locks. - Dramatic weight loss
Whether your dramatic weight loss is intended or not, it will affect your tresses! While hair is incredibly important to us psychologically, physiologically it is non-essential. Therefore, your hair is one of the first things to go when your body is out of whack. Avoid crash dieting altogether. Rather look at a healthy, balanced lifestyle to maintain your optimum weight (and feel great)! - Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 assists with energy levels in your body and a deficiency can leave you and your hair feeling lackluster. It affects the red blood cells, which carries oxygen to your tissues – resulting in hair loss. B12 is obtained through animal proteins, so be sure to take a supplement if you are a vegan.
Here are a few tips on how you can slow down or prevent excessive hair loss:
Firstly, you need to recognise the issue – what is causing this hair loss? Hair loss does not take place overnight, it can take up to three months for the hair to start falling out after a trigger has caused it! So if you notice excessive hair shedding for a period longer than three consecutive months, we recommend that you visit your GP or hair specialist (trichologist). Secondly, do not panic! Most hair loss issues can be rectified with a change in diet, lifestyle and/ or taking the right supplements/ medication – it is all about striking the optimum balance in your body.
Your first steps would be to try the following:
- Change your diet – eat more protein and introduce complex carbs.
- Take the necessary supplements that your body needs.
- Be savvy when styling your hair – avoid styles that pull on your hair, increasing the amount of shedding!
- Remain calm and do your best to strike a balance.
- If all else fails, or your hair loss issues are perhaps more detrimental than a simple imbalance in the body, there are amazing hair solutions out there to make you look and feel your best.
Fascinations Hair has a solution for all types of hair loss, be it beginning, progressive or advanced. They are Jon Renau South Africa and distribute wigs, toppers, extensions and all Jon Renau product ranges. Take a look at our full collection of wigs, hair extensions, hair pieces and other hair loss solutions. You can book a private consultation with our personal stylists or order online.
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