Regardless of being male or female, hair loss is one o the annoying things in life. Nobody wants to see himself as bald in front of the mirror. Especially for old mother, the words we always hear is like this: “My hair goes until my back when I was young.” Yet, what happened after her being young? There are many reasons for hair loss such as genetic or diet habit.
Although hair loss is normal when it comes to losing between 50 and 100 hairs a day, and then the problematic scene starts. Every person has about 100,000 hairs on their head, losing may not be that noticeable. Hair cycle follows the periods of growing, resting, falling out, and regenerating.
The problem starts when new hair normally replaces the lost hair. When you notice an excessive losing more than usual, you should go to the doctor to take a piece of advice.
The factors increasing the risk of hair loss can be listed as a family history of balding, age, severe stress, some medicines you take, some certain medical conditions such as diabetes and lupus, age, and even gender for some circumstances.
1. Androgenetic Alopecia as a Genetic Reason
Like other diseases, we can see the reason for hair loss as a genetic problem. The coarseness or the color are regulated by various genes of us. They are around 200 genes including the age at which you lose it.
According to research, a hereditary condition affects up to 50 million men, starting teenage years. If you see a distinct “M” shape on your head, it means male-pattern baldness is related to testosterone levels., which is the most common cause for men.
Also, the hair follicles are more sensitive to testosterone, and it can lead to thinning and balding. Those reasons might be seen as dangerous and scary at first sight, but there is no reason to get worried. You should go to a doctor and ask for advice.
Additionally, some hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and thyroid problems are seen also as a result.
2. Your Diet Is Important for Your Hair Health
Not only your weight but also your loss is about your diet. The reason comes from the lack of the mineral in your body. The lack of the mineral, anemia, might result in brittle or thinning hair. As a result, you can see your hair on the floor of every room at home.
Low levels of biotin, vitamin B12, and zinc are also the reason for hair loss as well as the lack of the mineral. If you do not have a strong diet, it is inevitable to face those kinds of health problems.
When it comes to the vitamins, Vitamin A is also a critical point for hair loss. The problem with Vitamin A is started when people can get too much of this vitamin through vitamin supplements or medicines. If you limit the using of Vitamin A or stop getting too much vitamin A, your normal hair growth resumes.
For dieting and poor nutrition, losing weight is also an important factor for hair loss. After losing a certain amount of weight for your body ideal, you can experience hair loss. After losing your weight, the hair loss might appear 3 to 6 months. But, you should not get stress because it is important to know that it is just normal and common hair loss, and generally the hair re-grows without help.
Some eating disorders such as anorexia (not eating enough) and bulimia (vomiting after eating) can cause hair loss, as well as the lack of the protein. It happens when the body does not get enough protein. In other words, the way how the body can ration protein in the lack of protein is to stop hair growth.
You should take enough protein within 2 to 3 months. Meats, eggs, and fish are good options for the sources of protein. You can also add other selections just like how vegetarians can get more protein by adding nuts, seeds, and beans to their diet.
3. Iron Deficiency Anemia and Red Blood Cells
Your diet should include iron-rich foods so that your blood can include red blood cells. Red blood cells are significant to transport oxygen to cells throughout your body, giving you the energy you need.
You can understand you have this kind of problems when you experience extreme fatigue, weakness, and pale skin, which are the results of Iron deficiency anemia causes. It is also possible to notice headaches, difficulty concentrating, cold hands, and feet, as well as hair loss.
As a solution against hair loss because of the lack of iron, you should take enough iron from good vegetarian sources of iron which are iron-fortified cereals, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, white beans, lentils, and spinach. Also, clams, oysters, and organ meats are rich sources for good animal sources of iron.
4.Severe Stress in Your Daily Life
The first thing doctors ask you when you go to the hospital for a health issue is that Do you have any serious problems or some reasons causing severe stress in your life?’. Although stress as a core reason for illnesses is seen so trendy, in fact, it causes many health problems including hair loss.
It can be physical stress such as a serious and long term illnesses including surgery or an operation, it might be also something about emotional like when you lose your job or broke up from your girlfriend or boyfriend.
Although there is always a chance to recover your hair loss, it is a fact that your hair loss might even reach 70 percent in time.
5. Your Medications Are Not That Innocence as They Are Seen
Apart from severe stress and some external reasons such as weather conditions and seasons, some medicines and pills you use might cause hair loss. For instance. some drugs related to a high level of depression, and other psychology medicines, high blood pressure, and arthritic conditions can have potential hair-loss side effects.
Some popular and common using medicines also have the same difficulty. Ibuprofen is one of them with a possible hair-loss side effect. If you experience this kind of problem, it is better to take advice from your doctor one more time.
Birth control pills that are used by some women for many purposes can result in hair loss. Not only by the process of the using birth control pill but also sometimes the hair loss might begin when a woman stops taking the pill.
Yet, it is important to know that the main reason behind this is generally about the fact that women who get hair loss because of the birth control pills using often have hereditary rooted hair loss.
Anabolic steroids that are taken to build muscle and improve athletic performance are also seen as the reasons a potential causing hair loss. When you experience hair loss, you should check these possible reasons.
Finally, many certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout, and high blood pressure can be a result of hair loss.
6. Family History Might Mean a Lot (Heredity)
Heredity is another genetic important factor causing hair loss called male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. Especially with aging and in predictable patterns, it shows itself.
I can be inherited from either your mother’s or father’s side of the family. This condition may develop slowly and start as early as your 20s. You can go to take a test with a dermatologist so that they can examine the pattern of hair loss to determine if it’s hereditary or another reason.
7. Think Twice When You Have Excessive Styling on Your Hair
If you use too much chemical tools such as too much shampooing, styling, gel, relaxers, hair sprays, and dying, it can harm your tresses. Furthermore, the high degree of heat when taking a shower might weaken your hair, and then it causes break and fall out.
You also should not use hair gel or hair spray that might cause hair loss and dry. You should follow your dermatologist’s advice and limit the use of these hair products. If you use those kinds of products less, you will see less hair breakage for sure.
It is also not okay to have an unhealthy scalp because it can result in some inflammation that makes it difficult for hair to grow. Thus, skin conditions might lead to hair loss and fungal infections such as ringworm.
Apart from products, some devices are critical and vital when it comes to hair care. If you use frequently a blow dryer, it might tend to damage your hair, and finally hair loss.
The heat you set is also important. In fact, the best way what experts suggest is that limiting usage of those kinds of devices such as flat irons and curling irons, and allow your hair to air dry. You can style your hair afterward when it is dry. If you are in an emergency and need to make your hair dry as soon as possible, you should use it at least from a certain distance that should not damage your hair.
From my experiences, I strongly recommend you not to tight your hair when you sleep. Sleeping time should be the best time for every cell of your body. However, when you use rubber bands, hairpins, or clips too tight to hold your hair, it will surely break your hair.
As a piece of short easy information that will make your life easier, you should know that rubbing wet hair dry with a towel might cause hair broken. Also, brushing or combing wet hair often cause the hair to break. They are important tips not to forget for the future of your beautiful hair.
8.Women-Oriented Hormonal Reasons
There are two main reasons for women-oriented hormonal problems. They are about to give birth and menopause. After giving birth, some women can have noticeable hair loss, which is so demotivating for them.
The reason for this is generally about the falling estrogen levels. Although this type of hair loss is temporary, and in a few months women can see their hair re-grow, it is still a process that women should take precautions.
The second women-oriented hormonal reason for hair loss is about menopause. During menopause, women might face hair loss. It is often temporary, and you can see that your hair re-grows in time. However, for those who are 40 years of age or older, they should not expect her hair to have the fullness.
9.Hypothyroidism as a Hidden Threat
When you have an underactive thyroid gland, it means you have a high degree of hypothyroidism. It is also knowns as an overactive thyroid. It causes a hormonal imbalance on the hormones that normally help to regulate nearly every function in the body, including hair growth.
It is located in your neck produces hormones which are critical to metabolism. It is also important for growth and development. However, when it’s not pumping out enough hormones, it is possible to see some hair loss.
You should go to your doctor as soon as possible when you feel or predict this kind of problem. As a solution, you should try a treatment on synthetic thyroid medication Your hair will come back when you are done with optimal thyroid levels.
10. Wearing a Hat May Be Not That Enjoyable at the End of the Day
It might be weird at first but it is a fact that wearing might cause hair loss. If you already experience hair loss right now and try to cover it by a hat, it is still dangerous because it might be making it worse by contributing to your receding hairline. “
For instance, wearing a tight cap during the summer especially in the extremely hot airs causes rubbing on the front, sides, and back of the head and hair, which in turn can lead to hair fall at the end of the day.
If you are insisting on using this kind of that you should use a shampoo and conditioner that moisturizes and strengthens your hair so that it can help alleviate the amount of hair fall and any possible breakage.
11. Negative Side Effects of Chlorine for Pool Fans
For those who take a dip in the pool might face some bad experience about the hair because of its content which is chlorine.
The reason why chlorine damages your hair is about to remove natural oils from hair strands and then weakens the chemical bonds between hair fibers. It leaves them prone to dryness, breakage and ultimately hair fall will be the thing you will experience.
To prevent this negative effect of chlorine, you should use some moisturizing shampoos and conditioners for daily care. Besides the positive side to your hair, it will also help restore moisture and strengthen hair after it has been exposed.
12. Trikotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder)
Trichotillomania is also known as hair pulling disorder because the Greek Word ‘tricho’, meaning hair, and ‘tillo’ comes from the meaning of pulling, and ‘mania’ meaning intensive desire.
Although there are no certain reasons for hair pulling disorder, generally it is seen in childhood. The most common period is that 11-13 old children experience it. Although each gender boy and girl may experience this disorder at the same rate in the childhood, women are at a higher risk in adulthood
This obsessive-compulsive disorder causes people to repeat pulling and that it is caused by an impulse makes it similar to obsession disorder. While 1-3% of people in the world are suffering from this disorder, it is 1-1, 5 million trichotillomania for the case in Turkey.
Not only hair loss problem but also hair pulling disorder also results in some psychological problems. In fact, it is very dangerous and psychologically harmful but unfortunately, those people cannot help themselves. At the end of the day, this disorder called trichotillomania might end with the fact that people lose most of their hair as a relieving action.
Types of Hair Loss
Androgenetic Alopecia
As the most common type of hair loss, androgenetic alopecia is commonly known as male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss. It comes from the hereditary factor. If you realize it earlier, it can be managed with medication or surgery.
Male Pattern Hair Loss
You might realize in your husband’s hair or brother’s hair that hair loss can begin any time after puberty and progress over the course of years. Generally, it starts above the temples.
And then, it may continue around the perimeter and the top of the head. You will see probably that it leaves a ring of hair along the bottom of the scalp. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, many men with male pattern hair loss eventually become bald.
Hypotrichosis
Hypotrichosis is a type of hair loss associated with a rare genetic condition. it resulted in so little hair grows on the scalp and body. When babies were born, they already have this potential. Although they are seen a typical hair growth at first, sometimes their hair falls out a few months later and is replaced with sparse hair.
Unfortunately, there are only a few treatments for this condition. The biggest clue about this problem is to see people with hypotrichosis as bald by age 25.
Female Pattern Hair Loss
When it comes to women, their hair slowly thins all over the scalp. Yet, the hairline usually doesn’t recede.
In fact, most women experience this type of hair loss as a natural part of aging, even if sometimes it might begin any time after puberty. We do not see commonly baldness for women case, but it is common to realize that hair loss can cause hair to thin dramatically for women.
Telogen Effluvium
This type of hair loss occurs when large numbers of follicles on the scalp enter the resting phase of the hair growth cycle. This causes hair to fall out all over the scalp without new hair growth because after this one the next growth phase doesn’t begin.
With telogen effluvium, it is even possible to lose 300 to 500 hairs per day. It is expected to experience thin hair because of this especially at the crown and temples.
Finally, this type of hair loss may last for years in some people. If your hair doesn’t re-grow on its own, you should go to a doctor as soon as possible for treatment before it is too late.
Loose Anagen Syndrome
Loose anagen syndrome is one of the hair shaft abnormalities. That means that the hair loss doesn’t occur in the follicle. Yet, as a result of a break somewhere along the hair shaft. The real cause of loose anagen syndrome is unknown, but we know that this type of hair condition more commonly affects girls with blond or brown hair.
It generally occurs for young children. Most of the time, hair falls out after it has reached an arbitrary maximum length. Children with loose anagen syndrome often cannot grow hair beyond a relatively short length.
Folliculitis Decalvans
This is hair loss type leads to the destruction of hair follicles, which is accompanied by redness, swelling as an inflammatory disorder. Lesions on the scalp that may be itchy or contain pus, known as pustules. There are some medications to control symptoms and, it is possible to stop the progression of hair loss.
Traction Alopecia
Some types of hair loss can be because of hairstyles. For instance, tight ponytails and braids can be resulted to pull hair away from the scalp. This force makes hair strands damaged and fall out at the end. If you do not change your hairstyle is changed, traction alopecia may lead to thinning hair or bald spots. However, if you change your hairstyle, you can see that your hair will regrow.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss related to an autoimmune condition. That means the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues, which includes the hair follicles. That is why it causes hair to fall out and most dangerous it prevents new hair from growing.
This type of hair loss generally seen for adults and children. It is a dangerous type of hair loss since hair loss can begin suddenly and without warning. In time, the person can even experience hair loss in other parts of the body, including the eyebrows and eyelashes.
Tinea Capitis (Scalp Ringworm)
Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp. It is one of the common causes of hair loss in children. For this type of hair loss it might fall out in patches, or sometimes circular.
Interestingly and differently than other types of hair loss, the areas affected by hair loss often look red or scaly, and the scalp may be itchy. The good news is that if tinea capitis is diagnosed and treated early, most children have excellent hair regrowth.
Anagen Effluvium
Anagen effluvium is so fast among the other types of hair loss. This results from some medical treatments such as chemotherapy. Because the fast-acting medications the patients use to kill cancer cells and at the same time also shut down hair follicle production in the scalp and other parts of the body.
If you use some medicine that is suggested by your doctor or any dermatologists, your hair can grow back more quickly. It is also possible after the chemotherapy period, your hair usually grows back on its own.
After you experience hair loss, it might be harder to stop it in a short time period. That is why the best thing you can do is to prevent hair loss before it gets started. Here are some ways to prevent or reduce your hair loss.
- You can wash your hair with a mild shampoo that is not too chemical and dangerous for your hair regularly.
- Before losing more than half of your hair, you should start some vitamins to prevent hair loss. Yet, you should not forget that some Vitamins like vitamin A should not get more than its optimum level.
- You should enrich your diet with protein by eating, for instance, lean meats, fish, soy or other proteins that promote hair health and in turn helps curb hair loss.
- Scalp massage with essential oils would work to prevent your hair. You can massage the scalp with essential oil for a couple of minutes when you take a bath. I am sure about the fact that it will help your hair follicles remain active. Alternatively, you can use lavender in an almond or sesame oil. It also works the same.
- As I mentioned above, you should avoid brushing wet hair to prevent the potential of hair loss. At least you should use a very wide-toothed comb when it is needed. Instead of this way, you can try using your fingers to undo tangles, not a comb or brush.
- As well as some oils like almond and sesame oil, garlic juice, onion juice or ginger juice work when it comes to the prevention or reducing hair loss. It is just easy how to apply; you can rub one of the juices on your scalp, and leave it overnight.
And then you should wash it out in the morning. Yet, you should know that you can take good result after applying this method regularly for a week to see a noticeable result.
- To keep yourself hydrated, you can comprise your hair to one-quarter water and you can drink at least four to eight cups of water in a day so that you can stay hydrated and for the growth of healthy hair more strongly.
Do not forget that not only alcohol or smoking cigarette but also consuming water, not enough is a bad habit for your health!
- It might come interesting and irrelevant at first, but it is very beneficial to rub green tea into your hair. It is because rubbing green tea into hair may help curb hair loss problem.
You can start by brewing two bags of green tea in one cup of water, and then you should leave to cool, Afterwards, you need to apply it to your hair. After the waiting process which is one hour, you should rinse your hair thoroughly. It is needed to apply it for a week or ten days to see some results.
- Alcohol is one for the reasons of hair loss. You should eliminate alcohol in your daily life to prevent extreme hair loss. You will see how your hair will increase after decreasing alcohol.
- Smoking cigarettes are also one for the reasons for the reduction in hair growth because it reduces the amount of blood that flows to the scalp. You should stop smoking if you want to prevent your hair loss.
- Some physical activities such as walking, swimming or biking for 30 minutes a day helps balance hormonal levels. Thus, you will feel better and experience reducing stress levels besides reducing hair fall.
- You should do whatever you need to decrease the level of stress. You can make yoga or any other alternative ways like therapy and medications to remove stress from your life. You should be aware of the fact that stress is a strong reason not only for hair loss but also many other serious diseases and chronic illness.
- You should see your doctor regularly in order to prevent any possible hair loss in the future. If you realize a hormonal imbalance together with your doctor, you can take precautions before the head.
- You should stop using some harsh chemicals and permanent hair color products.
- When using some medications, you should search well about the side effects. If there is something bothering you about your hair directly or indirectly, you should inform your doctor.
- Sometimes changing hairstyle also works. If you have long style hair for a long time, you can just have it cut so that your hair will get stronger than the former version.
- Everyone knows themselves best. You should learn the best things for your hair and move accordingly. For instance, you should use the most suited shampoo for your hair after trying a couple of options.
