Every single day, we shed our hair—approximately 100 strands a day. This process is natural, with many not even realizing or noticing it. However, some patients have experienced excessive shedding, leading to bald patches, thinner overall appearance, and even rashes. If you have noticed any of these symptoms, here are five reasons you may be losing hair and what you can do to revive hair growth.
STRESS
Stress can be the culprit for hair loss, particularly following a traumatic event, and this condition is known as telogen effluvium. Trauma such as a severe emotional event, major surgery, job change, or personal life change can cause tremendous strain on your body. The end result is shedding, which usually resolves itself once the stress from the initial trigger has passed.
How can this be helped? The first step is reducing your stress levels, which may take some time and patience to accomplish. It is important to be gentle with your hair during this time by avoiding any unnecessary styling, treatment, or handling. Allow your strands a breather from additional stress and breakage and you will see a decrease in your daily amount of shedding. Patients dealing with stress-induced hair loss might also find relief with Nutrafol, which works by using Sensoril® Ashwagandha, an ingredient that works specifically to lower the hair-damaging stress hormone Cortisol.
STYLING & OVERPROCESSING
One of the worst things that you can do for your hair, styling takes its toll more than anything else on our list. Consistently coloring, dyeing, heating tools and excessive use of hair products can damage your hair. There is even evidence that shampooing hair daily does more harm than good by stripping your scalp of its natural oils and leading to dried out, fragile follicles.
The solution for this is fairly simple: reduce the amount of treatments you subject your hair to and you will notice hair regrowth over time. Avoid hairstyles that keep your hair tightly pulled back or up on a daily basis to reduce the strain on the follicles.
DIET
Your hair follicles are heavily supported by the nutrients in your system, and a lack of them can lead to thinner hair. Deficiencies in protein, iron, zinc, fatty acids, vitamin D & E, folic acid, biotin, and antioxidants can strip away at your hair's building blocks.
To remedy this, consult with your dermatologist about what vitamins and supplements may be best suited for you, and be sure to stick to the prescribed dose. Certain vitamins that can stimulate hair growth can actually cause hair loss if taken in excess, not to mention other health issues. It's also important to let your doctor know what prescription medications you are taking to ensure the supplements you choose don't interact badly with them. The previously
MEDICAL ISSUES
Health concerns such as hormone imbalances, thyroid issues, and prescription medications used to treat arthritis, hypertension, and mood disorders can cause excess shedding. Because certain medical conditions are deemed severe enough for certain patients to require prescriptions, it is not recommended that patients ever discontinue a necessary prescription due to hair loss. Instead, ask your dermatologist what supplements might be available that will work well with your prescriptions. Stronger options such as the Nutrafol supplements mentioned earlier may help stimulate hair growth so you can slow the shedding process and stimulate hair growth while you simultaneously address other medical concerns.
GENETICS
Alopecia and hereditary hair loss can often be blamed on your very own genetics, leading to receding hairlines and the formation of bald patches that can get progressively worse over time. Luckily, there are a multitude of solutions in our armamentarium that can treat hair loss such as platelet-rich plasma, Nutrafol, or prescription medications and steroids.
The key with hair loss is seeking treatment as early as possible to prevent losing more strands than you have to. With the main causes of hair loss laid out, as well as the number of solutions available, hair loss does not have to be a condition you suffer with any longer.
Worried about hair loss?
Contact us today for a free consultation to see what treatment is right for you.
