Have you noticed more than usual hair loss when showering? or when brushing your hair? It is very common for you to lose 100-150 strands per day! Isn't that crazy!?!?!?! If you feel you are losing more than that then keep reading and I will give you some reasons why you might be losing hair and suggestions on what to do about it.
Here is a shortcut of what you will find below:
Heredity
Diet
Medical
Hormones
Hair care
Lets start with Heredity
Both men and women can develop this type of hair loss, Androgenic Alopecia, which means you inherited genes that cause your hair follicles (what your hair grows out of) to shrink and eventually stop growing hair. This can begin in your teens, but usually happens later in life.
Women will usually notice their part is widening or overall thinning of hair.
Men usually get a receding hairline or a bald spot in the back; the cul-de-sac
Is regrowth possible? Yes, treatments can help stop or slow hair loss. It may also help regrow hair. The earlier treatment is started, the better it works. Without treatment, you will continue to lose hair.
Now Diets
You may not be aware, but everything that you put into your mouth (Food, medicine, etc) all comes out through your hair. If you aren't getting enough of "something" in your diet then your hair isn't getting what it needs to grow. This can make your hair brittle, thin, not grow or even fall out. I know that Keto is a huge trend right now, but I have noticed with some clients that their hair isn't the same since they started their diets. I know some people, including myself, do not eat meat or barely any meat so may not be getting enough protein or healthy fats to help your hair grow.
What should I do? I don't wanna change my diet.
Here are a few suggestions: Take a multi-vitamin, in addition you can take a hair, skin, or nails vitamin too. Make sure that you are taking something with Biotin. Also if you are on Keto or some other diet restriction that you are getting enough healthy fats and protein. I always suggest drinking a protein shake, whether you make it yourself or one like ensure/slimfast.
This could go on for awhile, but Medical issues are another thing that could be causing you to lose your hair.
I am just going to hit a few high points because I am not a doctor. I am just going to mention things that I have experienced either myself or as a hairstylist. Medications can affect so many things when getting your hair done, but it also can cause your hair to thin. If you feel like a medication you are currently taking is causing you hair loss then please ask your doctor or the pharmacist. If you are on a medication like an antibiotic then please finish the medicine as prescribed and the hair loss is only temporary and will grow back. Another medical issue for hair loss is if you have had any weight loss procedures. I have had a few clients who have had this issues, and it was temporary, but if you are going through it then it may not seem temporary. Your body has to change and adapt to the new changes, but it does get better in time. Personally with myself I have had medical procedures that I was put under anesthesia and I experienced hair loss. My doctor told me it will be temporary but can last to 18 months. This topic then leads me to the next reason for you to lose your hair....
Hormones! The dreaded hormones.
Anyone else hate hormones?! So hormones basically are sneaky and like to mess everything up. This is usually my first suggestions to clients is to go to their doctor and get blood work done to check their hormones. It can be due to recently giving birth to that sweet child who in a few years will make you wanna pull out all your hair, but it can also be your thyroid. Just a checkup with your doctor and maybe some blood work and you will have answers. If it is your thyroid and they want to put you on medication then it would take a few months to get your medication figured out and you will still lose hair until they get your medicine right. That is normal, but once it is figured out then it will not fall out as much and will grow back. If you just had that sweet baby then you just took your body to hell and back and hair loss is very common. You had so many extra hormones by carrying that bundle of joy and once you deliver him or her then your body is all over the place which will cause you to lose hair among other things; stupid hormones. Lets say you just hit that wonderful age range where you aren't producing certain hormones you can experience hair loss as well. Can we all just say hormones are the devil??
Lastly hair loss can be from hair care.
It could be from the products that you are using. If they are not salon quality products they would have a lot of fillers in which can cause build up on the hair and scalp, may be too heavy for your hair causing the hair to break off. I would recommend asking your stylist for suggestions on what to use because they know your hair. I would definitely quit using store brand products. Products from the grocery store or a big box store have products that can build up on the scalp which can cause the scalp to be unhealthy, or clog the follicles. There are scalp treatments and exfoliators available to have a healthy scalp. One of my favorite items I recommend to my clients is on Amazon they have a scalp massaging brush and you add your favorite shampoo and enjoy. I will attach a photo below. This brush is wonderful at getting all the build up off of your scalp from hair products, dry skin, dry shampoo etc.
Along with hair care I will put this out there too. Your hair styles and styling tools can also be the reason you are losing hair. The messy bun (Yes my hair is in a messy bun as I am typing this) can cause your hair to fall out if you are always pulling your hair up. Did you see the word I used.. PULLING; If you are constantly pulling your hair up in a messy bun or a pony tail you may be losing hair due to you pulling it out. I would refrain from using super tight holders or pulling your pony or buns up super tight. I would recommend you using a scrunchie or those plastic holders that look like old phone cords. Pulling on your hair with a brush can also pull hair out. I would recommend a wet brush because it is gentler on your hair and scalp. All my recommendations are in the photo.
Although there are many more reasons out there that you may be losing your hair, but these are just a few and some suggestions on how to correct some of those reasons. I hope that this help you out, and maybe has given you some relief. Thank you all for reading.
xoxo
Amie
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