While men are more likely to lose their hair than women, hair loss and is still common for women. While women do not suffer from male pattern baldness, they can still lose their hair to many other factors. These reasons can range from a vitamin deficiency to a more complex underlying health condition. Oftentimes, there are ways to treat hair loss. Here are some things to look out for if you notice your hair is thinning.
Stress
Stress and anxiety can easily lead to hair loss. Hair loss may be a byproduct of stress due to a few reasons:
- Alopecia Areata
- Telogen Effluvium
- Trichotillomania
Alopecia Areata is the sudden loss of clumps of hair, while Telogen Effluvium refers to the loss of more hair than normal. Alternatively, Trichotillomania is actually a habitual condition where the person subconsciously pulls out their own hair.
An Excess of Vitamin A
Consuming too many supplements that contain vitamin A can trigger hair loss. While vitamin A is essential for the body, it is fat-soluble, meaning your body stores any excess vitamin A that is ingested. This may lead to toxicity, which in turn can cause hair loss.
Lack of Protein
A lack of protein in the diet may lead to hair loss. Some people with abnormal eating habits that exclude enough protein are susceptible to developing protein malnutrition. When the body does not get enough protein, it helps store protein by halting the growth of hair. Noticeable hair loss will occur 2-3 months after a drop in protein intake.
Heredity
Hair loss can be hereditary, regardless of gender. Women may experience a widening part or thinning hair if their older relatives went through a similar experience. Men also suffer from male pattern baldness quite often if their fathers have done the same.
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Anemia
Almost ten percent of women aged 20 to 49 suffer from anemia because of a deficiency in iron. This is easily fixable, however, because iron supplements can be prescribed which will result in hair regrowth.
Hypothyroidism
Having an underactive thyroid gland may lead to hair loss. Thyroids produce hormones that are vital to metabolism, growth, and development. When the thyroid underperforms, it can cause hair loss.
Auto-Immune Disease
Referred to as alopecia areata, this type of hair loss is a result of an overactive immune system. The immune system may see hair as a foreign substance and therefore target it, thinking it is protecting the body.
No matter the cause of thinning hair, people who suffer from it are always looking for treatments. One woman who experienced hair loss came up with several treatments for herself to help her hair stay full and reduce its loss.
Firstly, she started with a high-quality brush. Using a boar-bristle brush, rather than a cheap comb, helps the oils from the scalp distribute themselves through the ends of the hair.
Secondly, avoiding synthetic hair products and not washing the hair too often is helpful. Traditional shampoos strip the hair of its natural oils that keep it healthy, so it is best to avoid them as much as possible, using only natural cleansers when your hair needs to be washed.
Another way to keep hair healthy is to add natural oils back into it. Rosemary oil is beneficial for the scalp and it stimulates the hair follicles, which increases the blood flow to the scalp.
Adding these tips to a healthy and nutritious lifestyle can keep hair looking healthy and full, despite odds that work against it. The common denominator in these tips is to not dry out your hair from its natural oils and add oil in as much as possible. This enhances the health of the hair, preventing it from falling out.
