Have you been noticing too much hair on your comb or waking up to strands on your pillowcase recently? Well, you don’t need to panic! As part of your hair’s growth cycle, it’s common to lose one hundred strands per day. When you shed a few hairs, new hairs will automatically grow to replace them. However, if no new hair strands grow, then you must immediately start searching for the reasons for hair loss and get in touch wth your dermatologist. To know the most common causes and effective solutions, scroll down and get the details.
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How to Recognize Hair Fall?
Hair loss, medically known as alopecia, troubles almost every individual at some point in life. In fact, the National Council on Aging reports that around 85% of men and 33% of women will at some time face hair loss globally. Now, before you learn the causes of hair thinning, here are some symptoms to watch out for:
Radial Hair Thinning: A common pattern of hair thinning that resembles the letter M on the men’s receding hairline, while appearing on the widening of the parting line in women, through the forehead.
Circular or Patchy Bald Spots (Alopecia Areata): Circular, coin-sized bald spots with a smooth, shiny skin appearance on the scalp, which also appear on the beard, eyebrow, and even on other body parts.
Sudden Hair Loss (Acute Telogen Effluvium): A sudden shift of hair from growing to falling phase due to shock or trauma (mental or physical), resulting in loss of massive hair follicles.
Hair Loss in Body: Your body can struggle with hair loss, too, which usually happens due to treatments like chemotherapy for cancer.
8 Common Causes of Hairfall and Their Solutions
Hair loss occurs when its natural growth cycle is disrupted. It causes hair follicles to weaken, a process that prevents the production of new hairs. While the condition is prevalent, to control hair fall, you must first know the causes that trigger it. Here we have compiled common reasons why your precious hair might be disappearing, from genetics to hormonal changes and everything in between:
1. Genetics
If your parents or close family members have a history of baldness or hair loss, then you are more likely to experience the same at some point. It is due to genetics, known as androgenetic alopecia, where the traits and characteristics are passed down from your family.
Solutions: Now, how to stop hair fall naturally that lies in your genes? If you are in the initial stage, you can treat the condition with FDA-approved medicines after consulting a dermatologist. In the later stage, you can opt for hair transplant surgery.
2. Age
Almost every individual, both men and women, will notice hair loss as they age. Cells age more quickly than they can regenerate. This is why people suffer from weaker bones, thinner skin, which is similar to hair loss. As you age, your scalp produces less oil, which makes the hair weak and brittle.
Solutions: To treat age-related hair loss in its early stages, consult your doctor, just like with genetics. Also, engage in regular exercises and routine checkups to ensure your overall well-being.
3. Imbalances in the hormones Hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc on your hair strands
Hormone-related conditions like menopause, childbirth, pregnancy, and PCOS can trigger hair loss. For instance, you have high estrogen levels if you are pregnant. However, after three to four months of delivery, the dip in the estrogen level will be one of the biggest reasons for hair loss post-pregnancy.
Solutions: Your doctor might prescribe medications to maintain the hormone level based on your condition or supplements to improve your hair health. If the medicine doesn’t work, then they might recommend surgery to slow down or stop the hair loss.
4. Stress
In addition to being bad for your mental health, stress can be bad for your hair. Telogen effluvium, a stress response, begins with excess hair shedding 2-3 months after a stressful physical or emotional event.
Solution: To combat hair fall due to stress, get adequate sleep every day and engage in deep breathing exercises and meditationBesides the hair fall treatment at home, make sure to consult with a specialist.
5. Nutritional Deficiency
In certain situations, hair fall may happen due to nutritional deficiencies. In fact, low levels of zinc, Vitamin D, and iron are linked to excessive hair shedding. Poor nutrition or a severely restrictive diet can lead to such a deficiency.
Solution: Consult your doctor and take dietary supplements to correct the vitamin deficiencies after a blood test. Also, focus on a balanced diet composed of lean proteins, vitamins, and minerals, essential for hair growth.
6. Medications
If you are taking certain medications, then you might experience sudden hair loss as a side effect. While it doesn’t happen with everyone, some medications that might induce hair loss include cholesterol-lowering medications, blood pressure medications, antacids, and steroids.
Solution: Consult your healthcare professional right away if you notice excessive hair fall to get alternative medicine and stop the prior medication safely.
7. Scalp Condition
Hair loss can be caused by scalp conditions like dandruff and psoriasis. It happens when bacteria, yeast, or fungi overgrow and invade your hair follicles. You might notice small bumps, redness, and scaling, and at times your scalp will feel itchy.
Solution: Seek professional support to get the right shampoos and maintain good scalp hygiene to retain the natural oil content that supports the natural hair growth cycle.
8. Excessive Hairstyling
Scarring hair loss known as traction alopecia can be caused by some hairstyling products or methods. For instance, the chemical formaldehyde in some shampoos has been linked to hair loss. Hair extensions, styling with heat, and even chemical treatments can all cause hair to fall out. Solution: Minimize or avoid indulging in excessive hair styling practices. Instead of harsh sulfates, choose a product that is gentle for your hair. Apply a heat protectant spray before styling and allow your hair to rest for a while.
Also check out these home remedies for hair loss.
How to Determine Your Hair Fall?
The typical signs of hair loss are easy to spot in everyday life. But how can you actually determine it? A simple test known as the Hair Pull Test helps to determine the actual hair fall. Simply grab 20-40 hair strands for an inch above your scalp between your thumb and forefinger, hard enough. Then, gently slide your fingers along your hair’s shaft all the way to the end. Now count the number of hair strands that fall out. If there are only around six strands, then the hair fall is quite normal. However, if it is greater than six, then you require medical attention.