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One of the causes of vigorous hair fall is extensive over styling and hair treatments, alerts hair expert Sareena Acharya.>
Losing hair is a part of everyday life.
It clogs up your shower drain, you see strands on your pillow, on your comb, the floor...
Fact is, hair loss is totally normal.
An average human being loses around 50-60 strands a day.
But if you begin to lose significantly more than that or notice visible thinning, you may need to take additional care or consult an expert.
Here are the top ten leading causes of hair loss and what you can do about it.
1. Stress
Can hair loss be related to stress?
The bad news is Yes!
But the good news is that hair fall due to stress is not permanent.
The sooner you address the symptoms, the more likely you are to prevent irreparable damage.
To manage your stress, you can try few stress management techniques at home which includes:
2. Genetics
Genetics play a major role in determining how much hair loss you will see as you age.
Both men and women are likely to develop this type of hair loss.
It simply means that you have inherited genes that cause hair loss and eventually the hair will stop re-growing.
In women, the first noticeable sign of this type of hair loss is usually overall thinning or a widening parting particular from the middle.
Similarly, when a man has hereditary hair loss, the first sign is often a receding hairline or bald spot at the top of his head.
In this case there are a few things you can do to slow it down, such as :
However, it is always recommended that you visit a trichologist to ensure your scalp is healthy and do everything you possibly can to restrict hair fall.
3. Lack of enough protein
Lack of protein in your daily diet can potentially lead to unwanted hair loss.
You can easily add more protein into your diet by incorporating more eggs, chicken, beans, soya, lentils and yogurt into your daily meal plan.
4. Hormonal changes
You are likely to lose hair, especially women, when you are pregnant or in menopause, or suffering from PCOS or thyroid.
This can be treated if you adopt a healthy lifestyle, and take adequate nutrition and supplements for the growth of hair.
5. Illness
Certain prolonged illnesses including COVID can also cause hair loss.
Specific medications have side effects that can cause hair to fall out.
If you ever notice this kind of hair loss, you should consider seeing a doctor.
An expert may be able to help you reduce the dosage or switch to a different medication.
6. Ageing
At the age of 40, our body's ability to regenerate new cells declines, which results in thinning, hair fall and greying of hair.
The scalp tightens and inhibits new strands. It is a part of the normal ageing process.
To stop this issue, it is essential to increase the intake of balanced diet with proteins, and application of hazelnut oil or tea tree oil to reduce the thinning of the hair.
7. Over styling
One of the causes of vigorous hair fall is extensive over styling and hair treatments.
To protect your hair from the damage caused due to over styling, scalp massages with olive oil, castor oil, both are effective for hair regrowth.
8. Weight loss
There are chances that the weight loss itself is stressing your body and not eating right results in vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
To prevent hair loss while losing weight, make sure to include meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables into your diet as they are rich in protein, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc, all of which are essential components for hair growth.
9. Steroids
Intake of steroids to bulk up the muscles can also lead to losing your hair.
Check with your doctor about the drugs or supplements you are taking.
If you are able to identify steroids as the reason for hair loss, it will subside with reduction in intake of the drug.
10. Iron deficiency
Iron helps keep your hair healthy.
When iron levels drop, so can your hair.
When you don't have enough iron, your body is unlikely to produce the haemoglobin in your blood which enables the blood to carry oxygen for the growth and repair of cells in your body, including the cells that encourage hair growth.
Remember, the secret to a healthy hair is a healthy mind and body.
Ensure your daily diet is rich in nutrients required for your hair to grow.
Wash your hair at regular intervals and keep your scalp clean and free from infections.
Don't ignore the importance of a good night's sleep. Also, drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and your hair healthy.
Sareena Acharya is artistic hair expert at Enrich.
