Shedding of hair is not abnormal or uncommon among people. However, when the shedding is a characteristic of hair loss, it becomes a bother even when it causes no internal harm to the body. Hair loss may or may not necessarily lead to baldness because, often, the change is temporary. Some of the causes of hair fall out are hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, male pattern baldness, underlying medical conditions, and other factors.
Causes of Hair Fall-Out
Hair fall-out may be a result of many factors, which include:
Hormonal Imbalances
Women experience hormonal imbalances during pregnancy, childbirth, or when they attain menopause. In men, hormonal change is associated with aging, which causes a reaction between the hair follicle and DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
Thyroid Issues
The thyroid is a gland that is located just below a man’s Adam’s apple. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are two main thyroid hormones, and the increase in the former and a decrease in the latter often results in hair fall-out. It only stops when the cause is treated.
Stress
Stress, whether physical or psychological, is a significant cause of hair loss, especially where the psychological stress is borne from a traumatic experience.
Also, stress may be traced to an exhausting surgical procedure, sickness, or weight loss from lack of sufficient blood. Lactating mothers also experience hair loss because of the stress they often undergo after delivery.
For physical stress, regrowth starts from few months after the stress stops. You may generally heal stress through constant exercise, a good diet, stress relief exercises such as meditation, and taking a proper break from stressful procedures.
Medications
Your hair may be falling out due to certain drugs and medications that affect the normal functioning of the body. Hence, hair fall-out may be a side effect of one of these medications.
For instance, a person diagnosed with cancer is subjected to a series of chemotherapy procedures, which hinders hair growth in the first phase while hairs in the resting phase start to fall out.
Poor Nutrition
There are three phases in the cycle of hair growth. The scalp and follicles receive nutrients that facilitate hair growth in the first phase. However, if your foods lack nutrients such as vitamins (D, B-12, C, A), fats, biotin, and elements such as selenium, copper, zinc, and iron, you are at a high risk of having your hair fall out.
Autoimmune Disease
An example of this type of disease is known as Lupus. It involves the development of lesions on the scalp, and the hair fall-out often appears as patchy.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Apart from cancer and lupus, medical conditions that may cause fall-out in the hair are IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease), renal failure, liver, skin conditions (psoriasis and dermatitis), and diabetes. Folliculitis is also a health condition, with hair loss as one of its symptoms.
Do Not Panic!
Fall out in hair may be in degrees, and symptoms in individuals may differ, but the condition is often temporary as long as the cause is traced and is being treated. It is not worth losing your self-worth over, nor should you go into depression over it.
The following treatments have proven effective over the years for stopping hair fall-out.
Switch Up Your Diet
Follow a diet regimen that contains nutrients and elements such as proteins, vitamins, iron, copper, zinc, etc. Maintain this diet until significant changes occur in hair growth and shedding.
Supplements
You can boost nutrition through supplements. However, it is advisable to get supplements on doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions because redundant hair growth is a side effect of some supplements.
Easy Styling
Avoid tight braiding or tight headgear. Be careful and aware of formulations in hair creams and gels.
Reduce Alcohol Intake/Quit Smoking
Too much intake of alcohol and smoking are factors that may cause hair to fall out in men. It points out that men also suffer from hair loss.
Practice Gentle Washing and Brushing
First, the shampoo or conditioner must not contain harsh chemicals. Most preferably, hydrating shampoos are the best. While washing, be gentle and do not brush your hair while it is still wet.
Frequent Exercises
Exercise is a great reliever of stress. However, always wash your hair after a workout to prevent a breakout. Also, stay hydrated.
Prescriptions
If you shed too much hair, you should visit the doctor for recommendations. Otherwise, you may opt for over-the-counter drugs such as:
Minoxidil
Both men and women can take minoxidil to stop loss. It is a topical treatment that is often applied to the crown but is not a fast solution and has its side effects. Also, it requires consistency.
Finasteride
This drug is approved by food and drug agencies but only for men suffering from androgenic hair loss. The drug reduces the interactions of the hormones that cause hair loss but has side effects that may include decreased libido.
Home Remedies for Hair Regrowth
The following are home remedies with active ingredients to stimulate regrowth.
Scalp Massage
Massaging the scalp is a great procedure that enhances hair growth. You may incorporate the process with hair mask and oil application. You should do it daily for faster results.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is filled with antioxidants and helps soothe and prepare the scalp for hair growth. It is also an effective remedy for dandruff.
Application
- Slice the aloe vera plant
- Extract the gel
- Massage onto the scalp
Coconut Oil
The fatty acids present in coconut oil and replenish the scalp with proteins.
Application
- Massage onto the scalp before or after washing
Onion Juice
One of the main causes of hair loss is alopecia areata and has been found curable by onion juice. The juice assists circulation.
Application
- Blend a few onion bulbs
- Sieve to retrieve juice
- Add the juice to your scalp and hair
- Wash thoroughly after fifteen minutes.
Lemon
Lemon is packed with lots of antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. It is useful for maintaining a healthy scalp and boosts growth.
Application
- Get two or three lemons
- Squeeze the juice out
- Apply to the scalp and wash after fifteen minutes.
Final Thoughts
The first step to treatment is to discover the cause of the hair falls out. This is why we have listed the major causes of hair fall out. We have also told you how to help yourself. So, read up and enjoy!