How to Stop Hair Loss and Why We Experience It?

It's quite natural and a part of daily life to lose hair. Studies show that we lose about 80 strands every day; if we start to lose substantially more than that or notice they aren't growing back, things get a little concerning. It might be difficult to determine the precise cause of our strands losing out and, consequently, how to treat the problem because there are so many potential causes of hair loss.

Photo Credit: Canva

Here is how the hair development cycle goes so that we may better grasp our strands and comprehend the reasons why it is happening to our hair. This will assist break down the potential causes of why we are losing hair.

Hair Growth Cycle

Our scalp's hair follicles go through three phases throughout their life cycle. They are referred to as Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen. During the active growth period of anagen, which can continue for two to seven years, the hair lengthens and thickens. Following anagen, the hair follicle enters the brief transitional phase known as catagen when the hair fiber ceases growing. This is followed by the dormant period known as telogen, which lasts for about three months. The old hair is progressively pulled up toward the skin's surface during telogen, after which it naturally falls out and is replaced by a brand-new hair in the anagen stage. 

Photo Credit: Canva

The cycle repeats over the course of our lifetime, and because each hair follicle cycles independently, human hair development is sequential. We probably won't see it happening since each hair follicle on a typical head of hair is at a distinct stages at various times.

The fact that hair loss affects women so frequently must be noted. According to research, at least one in three women will experience hair loss or diminished hair volume over their lives. Therefore, if you are shedding strands, it's crucial to remember that your tresses will grow back. Here is all the facts we require in the moment.

Types Of Hair Loss

1. Reactive hair loss. In other words, there is a catalyst for our hair loss. Telogen effluvium, or excessive daily hair loss, is not a hereditary tendency; rather, it is the result of an internal imbalance or upheaval, such as a dietary deficit, extreme stress, extreme dieting, or a disease.

2. Genetic hair loss. The possibility that we have a hereditary predisposition to hair thinning indicates that the volume of our hair may gradually and progressively decrease. In these situations, certain hair follicles that are susceptible to male hormones gradually diminish and generate hair that is a little bit thinner and fewer with each successive hair growth cycle.

Causes Of Hair Loss

1. Stress-related hair loss. The idea that too much stress might physically cause our hair to fall out is not a hoax. Since it may increase levels of androgen (the male hormone), which in turn may result in hair loss. In addition to disrupting food routines and messing with the digestive system, stress may also cause scalp issues like dandruff, which can all adversely affect hair.

2. Hair loss due to hormonal imbalance. The impacts of hormonal imbalance will be felt throughout the entire body, including, of course, the hair. They have a significant impact on controlling the hair growth cycle. For the optimum amount of time, estrogens retain hairs in the growth phase. Androgens, on the other hand might abbreviate the hair development cycle.

Photo Credit: Canva

3. Anemia and iron deficiency hair loss. An iron deficiency is one of the most typical reasons why women lose their hair. Without iron, our hair strands cannot produce the protein that makes up hair cells.

4. Hair loss due to vitamin B12 insufficiency. We may experience fatigue and poor energy levels if we don't have enough vitamin B12. However, it doesn't end there; it may also damage our hair. Lack of vitamin B12 frequently results in hair loss because it may have an impact on the health of red blood cells, which transport oxygen to our tissues. Since animal proteins are the only real source of B12, vegans are the ones who experience it the most frequently.

5. Age. Changes in our bodies during the menopause or just before it may have an impact on our hair. In the months and years before and following the menopause, hair loss becomes increasingly common. In light of this, it's critical to understand that hair naturally grows finer as we age and that hair matures. It's a completely typical aspect of aging.

6. Rapid loss of weight. Six to twelve weeks following a significant reduction in weight, our hair may be affected; whether done voluntarily or inadvertently, hair frequently grows out excessively.

Remedies For Hair Loss

1. Make dietary changes. Consume extra protein since protein is a building block of hair, making a sufficient daily consumption of foods high in protein vital. At least one palm-sized quantity of protein should be consumed for both breakfast and lunch (approx. 120g in weight). Additionally, keep in mind the necessity of complex carbs. They provide our hair the vitality it needs to develop. If more than four hours pass between meals, have a snack of nutritious carbs (such as fresh fruit or whole wheat crackers), as the energy available to hair cells decreases after this period.

2. Consider taking a multivitamin. Because hair is a non-essential tissue, it has special nutritional needs. Supplements can aid by increasing the amount of vitamins and minerals that are supplied to our follicles. To be effective, they must be consumed in addition to a balanced diet. Iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, Copper, Zinc, Selenium, and the amino acids L-Lysine and L-Methionine are substances to check out for.

3. Be shrewd with style. Stay away from hairstyles that pull on the hair or the hair follicles. Additionally, stay away from strong style creams and serums because they can weigh down hair unnecessarily. Avoid harsh chemical treatments like hair colour and straighteners at this time as it is also very beneficial to do so.

Photo Credit: Canva

4. Massage the scalp while using hair oil. Root-to-end, hair oils strengthen hair. As it strengthens and protects hair follicles and strands, nourishes the scalp skin, and promotes healthy hair development, it is truly fantastic for anyone who struggles with hair loss and breaking. The hair shaft will be less likely to break when it becomes wet if we apply the proper oil to it.

Our strands develop in cycles, therefore it might take up to 3 months for hair to start falling out following a trigger. Hair loss doesn't come quickly. Consult a trichologist if we detect frequent daily hair losing for more than three months; there may be an underlying issue that has to be resolved. Most essential, work hard not to freak out. Almost typically, telogen effluvium (excessive shedding) resolves on its own, and hair will begin to grow normally after any underlying imbalance has been corrected.

While losing our hair might make us feel anxious, it's crucial to understand how frequent female hair loss is, and that if we do, we are not isolated and it is nothing to be ashamed of.