What you need to know about hair loss

I’ll start by talking about women’s issues as this site is primarily about them, but don’t be put off guys, we’ll talk about your problems later too!

Hair loss in women

You look at yourself in the mirror and notice: there seems to be more scalp poking through the strands of hair. While hair loss is often considered a men’s problem, at least a third of women will experience hair loss at some point in their lives.

Scholars agree that there are many causes of hair loss in women, from inflammation in the body to a family history pattern of hair loss.

Unlike men, women often experience hair thinning without going bald. In many cases, this hair loss can be stabilized with treatment and can be reversible. When it is not, many new cosmetic approaches can help. However, to address the problem, there are things we must know first.

Understanding hair loss

First, it is normal for some hair to fall out. Everyone loses hair as part of the natural hair growth cycle. This cycle occurs in three stages:

1. The anagen stage: refers to when a strand of hair is actively growing. This stage can last between two and eight years.
2. The catagen stage: is a short transition phase that lasts up to three weeks. At this point, the hair has stopped growing and is preparing to shed.
3. The telogen stage: is the part of the hair cycle when the hair drops from the follicle (the structure that produces and supports the hair). The follicle remains dormant after the hair falls out, usually for about three months, before new hair begins to sprout.

Some people may lose a hundred or more hair strands each day due to this natural growth cycle. However, this measure is not generalized to all. There will be someone for whom that could be extreme.

The truth is that most people have an idea of how much hair it is customary to lose. If you suddenly notice that more hair is falling out than usual, you are losing strands of hair, or your hair appears to thin out, it may be a sign that something is wrong.

Underlying causes of hair loss

Numerous problems can trigger hair loss in women. Some are external, such as taking certain medications, frequently wearing hairstyles that pull the hair too tight, or stressful events like divorce, loss of a loved one, surgery, etc. In other cases, something inside the body causes hair loss, such as a thyroid problem, a change in hormones, a recent pregnancy, or an inflammatory condition. Hair loss can also have genetic ties.

The most common cause of hair loss in women is a genetic condition known as female pattern hair loss (trusted source) or androgenic alopecia. Unlike men with male pattern baldness, who generally lose hair on the front of the scalp, women may notice a part that widens on the top of the head. It often begins when a woman is in her 40s to 50s, as new hair strands grow slowly. The follicle also changes, and the new hair that grows is more refined and less robust. She can experience this type of hair loss if she inherits specific genes from one or both of her parents. Hormonal changes that occur during menopause can also stimulate hair loss.

Another trigger for hair loss in women is an inflammatory condition that affects the scalp. That could be eczema (trusted source), psoriasis (trusted source), or a disease called frontal fibrosing alopecia (trusted source), which usually causes scarring and hair loss, sometimes permanent, on the front of the scalp above the forehead. Some scholars agreed that this condition appears to be becoming more common, but “no one knows why.” It is also unclear what causes fibrosing frontal alopecia; however, some studies suggest environmental and genetic factors may be involved.

Other common causes of hair loss include the overuse of harmful hair products or tools, such as blow dryers and other devices that heat the hair. Underlying diseases, autoimmune conditions like lupus, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances can also lead to hair loss.

Understand your hair loss (for women) – a trusted source

Hair loss in men

Men are genetically predisposed to hair loss. What causes this? It is a combination of heredity and hormones that can lead to genetic balding or patterned thinning in men by their 50s. Still, not everyone will experience the same degree of hair loss at an earlier time frame.

Some men may suffer from alopecia without knowing it because they’ve had no family history with this condition and have few symptoms, including only a slight recession on the temples (front) or top back part (crown). Other signs include increased shedding, dullness, and or breakage around your crown area – these happen when you pull out too many hairs during combing since there are fewer “roots.”

What causes hair loss in men?

The most common cause of hair loss in men is androgenetic alopecia, which might also be referred to as “male pattern” or “common” baldness. It is caused by the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on genetically susceptible scalp hairs. DHT causes males’ hair loss because it shortens the growth phase, called “anagen,” resulting in follicles producing progressively shorter strands of thinner hairs until they disappear entirely.

A surprising number of people experience hair loss during their 20s and 30s, but luckily there are several treatments to help. Stress can cause excessive hair shedding, which is why it’s important for someone experiencing this problem to assess their diet and check in with doctors about treatment options like medication or supplements.

Understand your hair loss (for men) – a trusted source

Hair loss prevention

There are many things you can do to slow or stop hair loss, depending on the cause of your balding. Sometimes it may be due to a temporary issue like telogen effluvium after pregnancy that resolves itself without medical intervention in time. Other times, persistent androgenic alopecia is caused by stressors such as thyroid issues or scalp infections, requiring treatment from professionals specializing in this area for long-term relief. If your family has a history of patterned thinning where age is not an obvious factor, then there’s always genetics!

Here are 13 tips to naturally stop hair loss :

Diet

1. Mediterranean diet

A 2018 study revealed that a diet containing raw vegetables and fresh herbs, like the Mediterranean diet, may reduce the risk of androgenic alopecia (both male and female pattern baldness) or slow its onset.

Best results were observed when participants consumed high amounts of these foods — such as parsley, basil, salad greens — more than three days a week.

2. Protein

Hair follicles are made mainly of a protein called keratin. One 2017 study trusted Source of 100 people with hair loss noted several nutritional deficiencies in participants, including amino acids that serve as the building blocks of protein.

While researchers note that more studies are needed, trusted Source, eating a diet rich in protein may help prevent hair loss. Healthy choices include eggs, nuts, beans and peas, fish, low-fat dairy products, chicken, and turkey.

3. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is composed in part of retinoids, which have been shown to increase the rate of hair growth. This vitamin may also help with sebum production, keeping the scalp healthier and retaining more hairs.

Fill your plate with foods rich in vitamin A, such as sweet potatoes, sweet peppers, and spinach, to name a few.

Supplements

4. Multivitamin

Scientists have determined that vitamins A, B, C, D, iron, selenium, and zinc are essential to hair growth and retention, specifically cell turnover. You can find daily multivitamins at most grocery stores or drugstores or ask your doctor to prescribe one to you.

Shop for multivitamins online *

5. Vitamin D

One 2018 study noted (Trusted Source) that vitamin D is associated with nonscarring alopecia. Treating deficiencies may help with regrowth. Speak with your doctor about taking 800 to 1000 IU daily.

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6. Biotin

Biotin — vitamin H or B7— is involved in fatty acid synthesis in the body. This process is essential to the hair life cycle, and you may experience hair loss if you have a deficiency. Speak with your doctor about taking three to five milligrams daily.

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7. Saw palmetto– Derived from the fruit of American dwarf pine trees, this herb may help men maintain testosterone levels. One 2004 journal article revealed that some 60 percent of participants taking saw palmetto experienced improved hair growth. The dosage in the study was 200 milligrams daily.

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8. Ginseng

Ginseng contains certain phytochemicals that may promote hair growth on the scalp. Further study is needed to recommend specific dosages. In the meantime, speak with your doctor about taking ginseng supplements or try topical solutions containing this ingredient.

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Haircare

9. Regular washing

Washing hair daily may protect against hair loss by keeping the scalp healthy and clean. The key is to use a mild shampoo. Harsher formulas may dry hair and cause it to break, leading to hair loss.

Shop for a mild shampoo *

10. Coconut oil

According to a 2018 review of studies, researchers believe coconut oil may help prevent hair damage from grooming and ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.

Laurie acid in coconut oil helps bind protein in hairTrusted Source, protecting it from a breakage at the root and strand. Massaging coconut oil into the scalp may promote better blood flow and help with regrowth.

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11. Olive oil

Olive oil can be used to deep condition hair, protecting it from dryness and associated breakage. Olive oil is also a central ingredient to the Mediterranean diet, which may help slow genetic hair loss.

Consider applying a couple of tablespoons of olive oil directly to the hair and letting it sit for 30 minutes before washing out.

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12. Gentle styling

Skip tight braids or ponytails may pull hair at the root and lead to excessive trustee Source shedding. While you’re at it, let your hair air dry to avoid irritating your scalp. Heat stylers, like curling or straightening irons, may also damage or break the hair shaft.

13. Hair processing

Chemical treatments, like perms or hair color, may also damage hair and scalp. Ask your stylist about alternatives, like organic hair dyes and others that don’t contain ammonia, peroxide, or para-phenylenediamine (PPD).

Solutions for all!

Hairomega – A superior DHT-blocking formulation

What is Hairomega?

Hairomega is a herbal supplement designed to promote hair growth. It uses a combination of saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol as its main ingredients. While it is aboriginal, the proven combination has been shown to stop hair loss in most people. Taking both together blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT.

A look at the back of the bottle reveals a supplement facts label that barely fits the bottle. Hairomega packs a daily dose of 200mg saw palmetto standardized to 42.5%. That’s 85mg of saw palmetto-free fatty acids. Combined with 300mg beta-sitosterol, that is more than enough to inhibit the production of DHT.

Let’s take a look at the back of the bottle.

Medical treatments

Laser therapy

Low-level lasers may help improve hair density for people with genetic hair loss and loss due to chemotherapy. This option is also called red light therapy, and it may work by stimulating epidermal stem cells.

You can find home laser devices for between $200 to $600. It may take many treatments trusted Source to see results.

Shop for home laser devices.

If you notice sudden or extreme hair loss, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor. Though some home remedies may help in mild hair loss cases (like alopecia areata), others may require treatment for the underlying causes of issues like thyroid disease. Keep in mind that any treatments used will take about six months before improvement can be seen in areas where there is already balding occurring!

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