Losing hair can be a stressful and anxiety-inducing experience. Appearance is important to a lot of people, and loss of hair can result in a severe hit to your self-esteem and self-image. With this in mind, it’s completely understandable that people want to know the causes of hair loss so that they can understand why they’re experiencing it and how to fight against it. If you can quickly diagnose why you’re losing your hair, it’s much easier to start, stop, or slow hair loss. If you are starting to notice a receding hairline or bald spots developing on your scalp, you may be wondering what’s changed about your body. There are lots of reasons that our bodies stop producing hair, and there may be ways to prevent hair loss from intensifying. Here are six (6) major causes of hair loss for both men and women:
1. STRESS
If you’re fortunate, your hair loss will be linked to an external factor that is simple enough to fix. One of these external factors is stress. A stressful relationship, job, or other situation can be very harmful to your health. This can manifest in many ways – you might lose sleep, be more irritable, or spend less time looking after your health. Any combination of these things can lead to hair loss. If you’re experiencing hair loss and are facing a stressful situation, it would be wise to either remove yourself from that situation or talk to a doctor to get strategies to better deal with this stress, such as meditation or breathing exercises.
One of the quickest ways to start losing hair is by experiencing a significant amount of physical or emotional stress. Major life events, like surgery, an unexpected job loss, or even giving birth, can negatively affect our hair cycle. This condition is called telogen effluvium.
2. POOR NUTRITION
Another common cause of hair loss is poor nutrition. A diet devoid of proteins or omega-3 fats can be terrible for your hair. A lack of these essential nutrients can cause your hair to become more brittle, lose its sheen, or even fall out. These problems are often caused by diets gone wrong. An extreme low-fat diet can be a double-edged sword, as fats perform some essential functions within the body. Luckily, this is an easy problem to fix. If you are still committed to dieting, you may want to consult with a dietician to create a meal plan which will give you all the nutrients you need.
3. GENETICS
Unfortunately, the most common cause of hair loss is not something that can be fixed by reducing stress or changing your diet. Genetic hair loss affects millions of men and women and cannot be reversed or slowed without more involved treatments.
4. THYROID PROBLEMS
Thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism, can disrupt the body’s natural method for regulating growth and development, including that of hair. Once thyroid levels have returned to normal, the hair should start to grow again.
5. BLOOD CIRCULATION
The body uses the bloodstream to deliver vital nutrients to the scalp’s hair follicles, so an unhealthy blood flow can lead to hair loss. As we age, the scalp’s blood flow naturally decreases, but other factors can also affect blood flow. Smoking, exposure to toxic chemicals, and a lack of exercise can create an unhealthy environment for hair.
6. ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA
Also known as male pattern baldness, this condition can develop very early in a patient’s life. It is directly linked to the male sex hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which binds to the hair follicle and causes it to shrink. Over time, the follicle will stop producing any new growth.
Of the countless hair loss treatments, scalp micropigmentation is the best because it’s low-maintenance and permanent. The experts at Hairline Ink have spent years perfecting our sophisticated pigmentation process that can fill in thinning hair or give the appearance of a full freshly shaved scalp. Call or text us today at 833-HAIR-INK (833-424-7465) to schedule an appointment, learn about our pricing, or to get a free quote!