Table of Contents
It can be distressing to realize that you’re losing your hair, but it happens to many people of all ages. Hair loss may occur for any of a wide range of reasons. These may include hormonal imbalances, aging, genes, stress, health issues, or poor hair care. Therefore, it’s imperative to visit your dermatologist to get a comprehensive diagnosis that can help pinpoint your possible cause of hair loss and the potential approach in treating hair loss problems, and how to prevent it. Read on to get a clear view of some of the reasons that may cause hair loss and how you can prevent it.
The Potential Causes of Hair Loss
Genes
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, at least 80 million Americans experience hereditary alopecia (hair loss). If your family history shows that your relatives have had hair loss problems, then you’re likely to lose your hair. Some sex hormones can trigger the onset of alopecia.
Aging
Aging is often accompanied by hair loss. Some hair follicles cease to grow hair, and the hair on your scalp may start to show some thinning. As such changes occur, your hair color may lose color, and your hairline may begin receding.
Auto-immune Responses (Alopecia Areata)
The alopecia areata auto-immune response condition occurs when your body’s immune system starts to attack your hair follicles that hold your hair in place. The auto-immune response kills hair follicles and causes hair loss on all parts of your body. Other medical conditions that can cause hair loss include thyroid diseases, ringworms, scalp psoriasis, and other conditions that cause scalp scarring, including lupus and lichen planus.
Strong Medication and Medical Therapy
Some strong types of medication used in treating conditions such as cancer can cause hair loss. However, not all medications that cause hair loss are particularly strong. Common medications used in treating arthritis, depression, cancer, heart problems, and hypertension can cause alopecia.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances caused by problems such as medication use, polycystic ovary syndrome, stress, childbirth, menopause, pregnancy, and other conditions may lead to hair loss.
Poor Hair Care
People who relax, perm, or dye their hair may damage its strength, making it break. The use of wrong or inappropriate hair products may lead to hair damage and cause hair loss.
Hair Loss Prevention Tips
Now that you know how you’re likely to lose your hair, here are some insightful tips on how to avoid losing your hair.
Medical Intervention
Talk to your doctor or dermatologist about hair loss prevention treatments. They may recommend prescription medication. Minoxidil and Finasteride are two common approved drugs that can help prevent hair loss. The two are clinically approved, and you can use them once you notice any early signs of possible hair loss. Your doctor may have other recommendations for you as well, depending on the type of hair loss you’re experiencing.
Proper Hair Care
You should choose hair care products based on your hair and its health. Once they’re selected, you should check the user’s manual or talk to your hair specialist or dermatologist to learn all that there is on how to use these products well to avoid damaging your hair or scalp.
No Hot Showers
Hot water strips your scalp of the essential oils that protect it from inflammation and dryness. When your scalp is inflamed and dry, it may get itchy, causing you to scratch your scalp. This only aids in the thinning of your hair and the miniaturization of the hair follicles, which leads to alopecia.
Scalp Massages
An ample supply of blood to your scalp and its proper circulation leads to better hair growth. Try massaging your scalp after showers or shaving to improve blood circulation and hair growth.
Maintaining proper hair care can help in preventing common hair loss problems. But it’s important to minimize stress, eat a balanced diet, and supplement where necessary. Eating a balanced diet improves your hair’s growth. Also, you can improve your hair growth by taking enough zinc, iron, biotin.
