Everything you need to know about hair loss

Hair grows everywhere on the human skin except on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Hair is made of a protein called keratin.

On average, an adult has about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs and loses up to 100 – 150 strands per day. Hence finding a few strands of hairs on your hairbrush is not necessarily alarming.

There are many reasons for hair loss. If hair loss starts suddenly, the cause may be a health condition, an unbalanced diet, stress, recently taken medications, or even hormonal changes, especially after childbirth.

Below we describe some causes of hair loss:

1. Genetics

This is the most common cause of hair loss and affects both men and women. In men, hereditary hair loss is initially manifested by a drooping hairline and, in a further stage, by more pronounced hair loss in the form of round gaps, forming a circle like an island, especially on the upper part of the head.

On the other hand, women are not prone to such signs of hair loss, at least not to the same extent as men. In women, most commonly, you notice generalized hair thinning.

2. Health Diseases

Hair loss can be the first sign of a disease. About 30 types of diseases, including thyroid disorders and anemia, cause hair loss. Treating the disease can minimize hair loss. Surgery, high fever, severe infection, or even severe flu can also precipitate the hair loss.

3. Hormones and Stress

Childbirth: After childbirth, some women experience significant hair loss. Decreased estrogen levels cause hair loss, but this is a temporary process. After a few months, women see their hair regenerate.

Menopause: Hair loss is common during menopause. This decrease is often temporary. Hair will grow back over time, but if a woman is in her 40s or older, she should not expect her hair to have the same strength and density as before.

Stress: experiencing a traumatic event or stress from various daily life situations can cause hair fall.

     4. Poor Diet

Lack of protein: When the body does not get enough protein, it begins to ration protein. One way the body rations protein is by inhibiting hair growth.

About 2 to 3 months after a person does not consume sufficient protein, hair loss is noticed. Meat, eggs, and fish are good sources of protein. Vegetarians can get more protein by adding nuts, seeds, and beans to their diet.

Iron: Iron deficiency can lead to hair loss. Good vegetarian sources of iron are fortified iron cereals like soy, pumpkin seeds, white beans, lentils, and spinach.

Eating disorder: when a person has an eating disorder, hair loss is common. Anorexia and bulimia can cause hair loss.

5. Improper Hair Care.

Hairstyling and some of the products you use on your hair can cause hair fall.

Frequent usage of chemical hair dyes, chemical rebonding/relaxing can damage your tresses. Using styling or fixing gel, styling mousse, and hair sprays can also cause damage and hair fall. Dermatologists have recommended limiting the use of these hair products. Less use often means less hair damage.

Frequent use of heaters or other styling items with intense heat tends to damage hair strands. High heat can draw water out of the hair, making it brittle and prone to drying and breakage. Hair like skin needs moisturizing too. Application of cold-pressed virgin oils can help.