Hair loss is not uncommon. Anywhere between 40 and 50% of people experience hair loss to some degree at some point during their lives.
The good news is that most cases are temporary, and the hair usually grows back after a few months or years. However, in some people, hair loss can be a sign of an underlying health problem.
Fortunately, there are many different ways to prevent hair loss and help your hair regrow faster. Here are five reasons you might be losing your hair, as well as helpful tips on how to prevent it from happening again.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is a common cause of hair loss, as it can affect your hormones and your scalp’s ability to produce new hair.
Vitamin D is also linked to a wide range of other health issues, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. The best way to prevent a vitamin D deficiency is to get enough sun exposure.
If you work indoors or live in a northern climate, you may need to get a vitamin D supplement. If you are experiencing hair loss, vitamin D may be able to help.
Vitamin D stimulates hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp and encouraging the production of new hair follicles. In one study, patients who received treatments with vitamin D saw improvements in hair growth.
Hair Fungal Infections
If you have long hair and live in a humid environment, it’s possible you have a fungal infection on your scalp that is causing your hair to fall out. Seek medical attention if you notice unexplained hair loss.
Treatment can help you grow back your hair as well as prevent a re-occurrence. There are many products you can use to prevent fungal infections, including shampoos and sprays.
Make sure to follow the directions and avoid getting the fungal infection again! If you already have a fungal infection, there are some medications that can help you regrow your hair.
For example, fluconazole (Diflucan) is a common prescription that can treat both fungal infections and hair loss. Another option is minoxidil (Rogaine), a topical medication that can help regrow hair by widening blood vessels in your scalp.
Medications and supplements
Certain medications and supplements can cause hair loss, including the following: If you are taking any of these medications, talk to your doctor about the potential for hair loss.
Some medications can be adjusted to reduce hair loss, while others may be worth skipping if the side effects are too severe. Iron deficiency is more common than you might think, affecting around 20% of women and 10% of men.
Iron plays an important role in hair growth, so if you experience hair loss, iron deficiency may be to blame. Iron is found in many foods, but it’s best absorbed when eaten with a source of vitamin C.
Vitamin-C-rich foods include citrus fruits and bell peppers. You can also take an iron supplement to make sure your hair regrows as quickly as possible.
Hormonal and medical conditions
Some hormonal conditions, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid disorders, can cause hair loss. PCOS occurs when your ovaries produce high levels of androgens, which can result in hair loss and acne.
A blood test can diagnose PCOS and help you treat it. Thyroid disorders are also common causes of hair loss. A blood test can help your doctor figure out the cause if you notice hair loss.
For example, low levels of thyroid hormone can slow down your hair growth while high levels can cause hair loss. Conditions like diabetes, lupus, and kidney disease can also cause hair loss.
If you notice unexplained hair loss, it’s important to get it checked out. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further hair loss and help your hair grow back sooner.
Stress is often the first thing people think of when they think of hair loss. There is some truth to this, as stress can affect the hormones in your body, which in turn can cause hair loss.
However, it’s not actually the hair loss that’s caused by stress. It’s a fact that your hair loss is caused by increased shedding. The hair that grows back is often thinner, sparser, and weaker than before.
This can lead to serious health problems such as an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and even diabetes over time! So, while stress might not be the root cause of your hair loss, it is important to find ways to reduce your stress as much as possible in order to prevent further hair loss.
Genetics
Some people are just born with naturally thin or thinning hair. This is often due to your genetics. While this may cause some people to become very self-conscious about their appearance, it usually isn’t anything to worry about.
People with thin hair should also know that genetics doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doomed to keep losing your hair. There are ways to help prevent hair loss, even if you have thin hair.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Another reason you may be losing your hair is because you aren’t getting enough of certain nutrients from food. These are called micronutrients, and they include vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and folic acid.
If you aren’t getting enough of these nutrients, your hair may start to become brittle and break, or even stop growing all together. This is especially common for people who have an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia.
Eating disorders can cause hair loss, as well as many other serious health issues. Eating disorders are not just about dieting or making poor food choices.
If you think you might have an eating disorder, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible.
Hormone Imbalance
They control many different processes, including your hormone levels, sexual development, and more. Hormone imbalances can be caused by genetics, stress, diet, and other factors.
If you have a hormone imbalance, it can lead to hair loss in both men and women. The hair on your head is actually made of protein, so it’s directly affected by your hormone levels.
Imbalances can cause your hair to become thinner and weaker, which can lead to it falling out or not growing back after falling out.
Medications
These include birth control pills, some antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and others. If you’ve been taking a new medication or have recently stopped taking one, you should also check to make sure that it doesn’t have side effects that could cause hair loss.
You should always speak with your doctor about any new medications you’re thinking about taking and also mention any you’re taking now that you’re thinking about stopping.
Your doctor can help you decide if these medications might cause hairs loss.
Hair Care Mistakes
If you’ve already ruled out the above causes and you’ve found the root cause of your hairs loss, it’s important that you don’t just let it go.
Hairs loss is often reversible, provided you treat it early enough! Some hair care mistakes that can cause hairs loss include:
-Brushing your hair too often;
-Excessive use of heating tools like straighteners, curling irons, and hair dryers;
-Too much shampooing (depending on your hair type)
-Too much use of harsh shampoos and conditioners.
-Poor diet
How to Stop Hair Loss
There are many different ways you can prevent hair loss and speed up regrowth. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: Stay Healthy: Many common health conditions can cause hairs loss.
Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress can help improve your overall health and lower your risk of hairs loss.
-Get Enough Vitamin B:
Vitamin B plays an important role in hair growth. If you are experiencing hair loss, you may benefit from taking a B vitamin supplement.
-Shampoo Less:
You don’t need to shampoo your hair every day. In fact, too much shampooing can cause dry, brittle hair. If you experience dry or brittle hair, shampoo your hair less often and use a less drying type of shampoo.
-Avoid Trauma:
Avoid pulling on your hair, using conditioner after every wash, and avoid tying back your hair tightly. These simple steps can help prevent hair breakage, a common cause of hairs loss.
Conclusion
Hairs loss can be really distressing, but there are lots of different things you can do about it. The first step is to identify what is causing your hair loss.
Once you know what the root cause is, you can start taking steps to reverse the damage. In most cases, hair loss is temporary and will grow back on its own.
In others, you can take steps to help your hair regrow faster and stronger. With the right treatment, you can get your hair back in no time!