There are about 2 million of them on the whole body and about 100-150 thousand on the head. It happens that more than one hair grows out of one hair follicle, which gives them not 150, but 400 thousand. Even lucky people with a thick hairstyle are exposed to hair loss. Hair loss: what are the causes and how to prevent it?
Hair loss – causes:
Genetics
Hereditary baldness is the most common cause of hair loss. It is a genetically conditioned hair follicle atrophy.
Diseases
Hair loss may be caused by skin or internal disease. Among skin diseases, the most common are mycosis and seborrhea. Although they are troublesome to treat, they do not damage the hair follicles. Temporary hair loss can be associated with stress, a serious surgery, flu or other severe infection with high fever. After the cause disappears, the hair regrows itself.
Hormones
Hair loss is associated with hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease or Cushing’s syndrome. Some women lose their hair after childbirth, because their estrogen levels fall rapidly, others during menopause. These disorders are only temporary and hair usually grows back.
Medicine
Hair loss can be the side effect of chemotherapy or taking medicine for diseases such as arthritis, depression, arthritis and hypertension.
Diet
Hair loss can be the effect of a rapid weight loss (due to bulimia or anorexia) or deficiency of protein and iron (which is caused by, among others, anaemia, vegetarianism or veganism).
Care
Hair can fall out due to allergies to any component of the preparation intended for hair care. The hair may respond to overuse of a dryer, hair straightener, curler or dye and styling products. Hair loss can be a consequence of frequent combing or wearing burdening hairstyles such as a tightly tied ponytail or dense braided hair.
Hair loss – how to prevent it?
Hair loss can be remedied by:
- diet change – products rich in biotin, silicon, riboflavin and vitamin A are of particular importance,
- proper selection of cosmetics and proper hair care, including combing, which stimulates blood circulation and, consequently, nourishes the hair,
- topical use of preparations containing minoxidil,
- in some extreme cases, hair transplantation.