Thinning and thinning hair worries the female half of humanity no less than the male. The reasons for the deplorable condition of the hairline can vary from the simplest, which you can cope with on your own, to serious and deep, which is meaningless to solve without the help of a specialist. We tell you what it can be.
1. Physical stress
Any injury or condition of the body - after a car accident or a lingering illness (including even the flu) - can lead to short-term hair loss. Hair has a programmed cycle of several phases - growth, rest and "shedding". A physical blow to the body and the subsequent recovery period can literally shock the hair - knock down the regular cycle (approximately, as it happens with menstruation) and increase the "shedding" phase. Typically, an increased rate of hair loss is noticeable 3-6 months after injury.
2. Pregnancy
She is just one example of physical stress, albeit natural. Hair loss caused by hormonal changes usually overtakes women after childbirth, rather than during an interesting position (and is often still often supported by a rigid "diet of a nursing mother"). Doctors advise not to tear out the rest of the hair on this matter - when the hormones return to normal, and the body recovers after the amazing, but very resource-intensive birth of the baby, the hair follicles will restore their normal life cycle.
3. Too much vitamin A
An overdose of it - in vitamins and / or dietary supplements - can cause hair loss. The daily intake of vitamin A is 2300-3000 IU for adults over 19 years old, while dietary supplements can contain from 2000 to 10000 IU. Everything is simple here: as soon as you reduce the excess of vitamin A in the daily diet, hair growth will stabilize.
4. Too little vitamin B
Vitamin B deficiency can also cause thinning and thinning hair. The problem is solved by adjusting the menu. First of all, analyze your diet for red meat, sea fish, vegetables and non-citrus fruits, as well as additives in the form of "good" fats (avocados, nuts). If everything is in order with the menu, you can connect dietary supplements with vitamin B, after which the situation with the hair should improve.
5. Lack of protein
If you are on an unbalanced diet low in protein, hair can slow down growth: the body will produce protein by inhibiting the work of hair follicles (they also need protein). This usually happens 2-3 months after the change in diet. You need to fight thinning hair at the table - eat more protein in the form of meat, fish, eggs (for vegetarians, our memo is to help).
6. Heredity
The genetic factor is decisive for male pattern baldness, but it is also important for explaining the causes of female pattern baldness. Trichologists advise to soberly assess the condition of the hair of dad and grandfather (as well as grandmother) - if they began to lose hair early, most likely, you may also be at risk.
7. Hormonal drugs
Oral contraceptives can regulate not only fertility but also hair growth (hormonal imbalances that occur with menopause often have the same effect). The mechanism is as follows: male hormones of hair follicles are activated, and as a result, the bulbs themselves seem to “miniaturize”, stopping reproduction, and hair loss begins. If you notice more strands on your comb after switching to oral contraceptives or changing from one birth control pill to another, it's time to visit your gynecologist to discuss alternative methods of contraception.
8. Emotional stress
It causes hair thinning less often than physical stress, but it is a very likely reason for hair loss. A strong shock - divorce, death of a loved one, caring for a seriously ill parent - can be the impetus for baldness. More precisely, trichologists say that this is unlikely to be the main reason - most likely, the prerequisites already existed ─ but experiences will definitely speed up the process.
9. Anemia
There is evidence that today at least 1 woman in 10 between the ages of 20 and 49 suffers from iron deficiency anemia. And this is one of the most easily treatable causes of hair loss. First, a blood test should be done to confirm anemia, and second, iron should be added to the diet. If you suspect anemia, remember that in addition to hair loss, frequent headaches, fatigue, pale and cold skin (especially the hands and feet) are its characteristic signs.
10. Hypothyroidism
Inadequate production of thyroid hormones can also inhibit normal hair growth. See your doctor for the necessary thyroid tests. Synthetic analogs of thyroid hormones will help solve the problem until the production of your own returns to normal.
11. Dramatic weight loss
The actual reason for hair loss on the eve of summer and actively getting in shape. Passion for diets and dramatic weight loss are quite real one of the types of physical trauma for the body, in response to which it begins to react unpredictably (see paragraph 1). There is only one recommendation - in order not to lose hair thickness along with extra pounds, make sure that the daily menu is balanced in terms of the content of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and microelements with vitamins.
12. Chemotherapy
It is no secret that cancer drugs are a nuclear bomb for the body, which does not spare not only rapidly dividing cancer cells, but also healthy cells of the hair follicles. When the course is completed, and they will no longer be exposed to chemical attack, the hair will grow back (perhaps the curls will also slightly change their color and even structure - doctors noted such cases). Researchers are now working on a cancer drug that does not have these side effects, and are also exploring ways to combat thinning hair during chemotherapy.
13. Polycystic ovary syndrome
It is another hormonal cause of hair loss. An excess of androgens can lead not only to ovarian cysts, but also excess weight, changes in the menstrual cycle, infertility, risk of developing diabetes and baldness (and this is perhaps the most innocuous consequence of the list). An indirect evidence of too high levels of male sex hormones in the female body may be a fair amount of hair on other parts of the body. If you notice this problem along with hair loss on your head, it's time to visit your doctor.
14. Medicines
Over-the-counter medications can also increase hair loss. These are primarily antidepressants, blood thinners, and blood pressure medications (beta blockers). Trichologists also include drugs with methotrexate (antineoplastic and for skin diseases), lithium (for bipolar disorder), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including the common ibuprofen) to substances that can increase the rate of hair thinning. If you are taking any of them and are actively losing hair at the same time, you need to talk to your doctor about a possible adjustment of the treatment course.
15. Complex styling
Excessive effort that you put in to build a hair style on your head can also lead to thinning hair. Here, of course, we are not talking about isolated experiments, but about regular vigorous manipulations with hair for several months (or even years) in a row. Potentially aggressive styling includes a tight ponytail, tight braids, an abundance of super-strong styling and curls made with a hot iron. Here, first of all, we are talking about mechanical damage to the length of the hair, which is cut and even breaks "at the root". Preventive measures: Strengthen your hair with grooming treatments (or at least a good mask and conditioner), and use the iron no more than once a week.
16. Trichotillomania
The constant uncontrolled pulling out of hair will thin it out very quickly and efficiently. Trichotillomania is an officially recognized mental disorder that usually begins before the age of 17 and is 4 times more common in women than in men. From the outside, it may look like a game - as if you thoughtfully wind a strand around your finger, but then just pull it out. Psychotropic drugs and quality classes with a psychotherapist will help to cope with trichotillomania. And, of course, here, as in the case of any addiction, you must first acknowledge its existence.
17. Age
Hair loss is often active in women when they reach their 50s or 60s. An age-related reason is one that is difficult to deal with, and it is not always necessary to do this. The only fully and completely justified measure is prevention. There are many ways to strengthen your hair and keep it shiny and healthy in your 50s (see How Hair Ages and What to Do About It).
Top 10 remedies for hair loss:
The essence for the scalp "Strength and density of hair", L'Occitane
-
A photo:
Photo: Getty Images, press archives
Related materials
- 8 foods that will make hair grow faster
- How to refresh your hairstyle without drastic changes (when a haircut is not an option)
- Eyebrows: five secrets supermodels know
- Healthy lifestyle rules to stop following (and why)