Hair loss: learn how to prevent it and control it
In this article, we have put together some useful tips for preventing hair loss, as well as ways to treat and control this condition.
If you’ve noticed that you are losing more hair than you’d like, either in the shower, in your hairbrush, on your clothes or your pillow, and your hair is looking thinner than usual, we have some advice for you on how to prevent and control hair loss.
How to identify hair loss
Firstly, you should know that it’s normal for both men and women to lose a considerable amount of hair each day (somewhere between 50 and 100 strands). Healthy hair falls out because after three months, it enters into a new phase of growth and renewal. Before the hair falls out, new hair starts to grow in the base of the hair follicle, which pushes the old hair out. This new hair will then remain in the follicle for another three months, before the cycle repeats itself again.
If your hair is getting noticeably thinner or you are losing more than 100 strands of hair each day, your hair growth cycle is likely to have been disrupted, which is causing hair loss.
In order to find the ideal hair loss treatment, you must first identify the cause, which may present itself long before hair loss starts. Below, we have listed the most common causes of hair loss and their respective treatments.
Causes and treatments for hair loss
There are many different causes of hair loss, including:
Genetics
Genetic hair loss is the most common type and mostly affects men [hyperlink to article about men’s hair loss]. In this case, the growth phase is shorter, the hair falls out more quickly and weakens over time. It starts at the hairline where the roots are weakest, followed by the back of the head. This type of hair loss can also affect women during menopause. However, they usually lose hair from the crown of the head.
Treatment:
There are different treatments for hair loss, such as specific shampoos, lotions and serums. Your dermatologist may prescribe you medication or it is even possible to get a hair transplant. However, we recommend that you take special care of your hair in your daily routine, using a gentle shampoo and avoiding harsh hair products.
Tight hairstyles
Some tight hairstyles can cause a lot of tension at the roots, especially when worn daily, as they constantly pull at the scalp.
Treatment:
Stay away from tight hairstyles such as tight braids, ponytails or buns, at least for a while. Avoid tying up your hair, rubbing it, or pulling it out of habit. Be gentle with your hair when you wash it and brush it. Brushing your hair with a wide-tooth comb may also prevent you from pulling it.
Stress
When internal stress, triggered by personal problems or worries, continue over several weeks or months, this can manifest physically in a number of ways, including hair loss. Mental stress may also cause existing hair loss to worsen.
Treatment:
Relax and avoid stress. If your hair is falling out due to stressful situations in your life, sometimes this is not the worse symptom your body is experiencing. Rethink your priorities, putting your health first.
Immune disorder
Hair loss can be a delayed effect of an infection. Therefore it’s possible to lose hair during rainy season, when you are more likely to catch a cold.
Treatment:
Following a dysfunction of the immune system, hair loss will stop after about 3 months, once the damaged roots have been renewed.
Lack of nutrients
An unbalanced diet, extreme weight loss diets and eating disorders can lead to a deficient supply of nutrients, which in turn, can cause hair loss. Strong, healthy hair requires vitamin A, iron and protein, among others.
Treatment:
Follow a healthy, balanced diet. Try to eat more lentils; not only are they delicious, but they are also a very important source of iron, which, when combined with vitamin C, helps boost your metabolism and improve circulation and oxygenation of cells, all of which is essential for the development of healthy hair follicles.
Hormonal changes
Following pregnancy, women’s bodies undergo a hormonal shift that can also affect their hair. But this effect normally corrects itself over time. Hair loss can also be related to the contraceptive pill. For example, when women first start taking it, when they stop taking it or when they change the pill they’re on.
Treatment:
Give your body time to adjust to these changes. Don’t panic, generally your hair goes back to normal all by itself. Follow a healthy diet and try to avoid stress. If you are continuing to lose hair after several months, talk to your doctor.
Excessive hair styling
Too many harsh treatments can weaken and significantly damage your hair. Frequent bleaching or coloring, perms or the regular use of straighteners do not directly cause hair loss, but can severely damage it and cause the hair to break at the root. “Chemical mishaps” (when we don’t respect the suggested timings for hair dyes and treatments) however, may cause direct hair loss.
Treatment:
Regrowing your hair following a chemical mishap requires time so that your scalp can recover. Use small amounts of shampoo (very gentle and created specially for damaged hair) and be gentle when applying it to the hair. Avoid harsh treatments with hot oil, perms, bleaching and coloring for a while.
Medication such as anticoagulants or cancer treatments
Some drugs or treatments for certain illnesses can include hair loss in their side effects.
Treatment:
In this case, it is important that you speak to your doctor so that you can find the best solution without interfering with your treatment.
General advice
– Do not brush your hair while it’s still wet. This is when the hair is most susceptible to unwanted breakage. You should let it dry (either naturally or on low heat) before brushing it.
– Try to improve your diet to include foods rich in zinc, which promote hair growth.
– Try to control your moods and learn how to better manage stress under pressure. Not only will this help prevent hair loss, but it will also help your health in general.
– Protect your hair from prolonged sun exposure and other sources of ultraviolet light.
– Stop smoking. Some studies have shown the relationship between smoking and baldness (especially in men).
– Take the time to care for your hair. You could try some alternative treatments using medicinal plants, or treat yourself to a hair mask to nourish your hair all the way from the roots to the ends.
If you have been suffering from hair loss for a long time and it keeps getting worse, talk to your doctor. This is the best way to find the right treatment for you.