Did you know that losing 100-150 hair strands every day is normal? However, the concern arises when you start losing much more hair than that. Hair loss or hair thinning has become common these days, especially with the increased levels of stress and not-so-healthy-lifestyles. But stress and a bad diet are not the only hair loss causes.
What Are the Most Common Hair Loss Causes?
If you are losing more hair than normal, it could be due to any of the following reasons:
Your Genes
John F. Kennedy once famously said, “Life is not fair.” That is certainly true when it comes to our genetic gifts or disadvantages. Hair loss is one of those conditions that you can inherit from your family. This hereditary hair loss is usually known as pattern hair loss and affects more than 30 million women and 50 million men in the US.
For women, this type of hair loss typically becomes noticeable as you age and part your hair. It’s often not as bad as it is for men, because women can conceal pattern hair loss (if not severe) through some alternative hairstyle choices. But for men, this kind of hair loss generally begins at the temples and spreads to the top of their scalp, making it virtually impossible to conceal without cosmetic products.
Aging
Our bodies undergo several changes – including physical and hormonal – as we age. When you are older, your cells die off more quickly than they regenerate. This is why our skin becomes thinner and bones become weaker as we grow old. This goes for your hair as well.
Your scalp also starts to produce less oil with age, making your hair brittle and weaker, ultimately resulting in hair loss.
Hormonal Imbalances
If you are a woman and are suffering from congenital adrenal hyperplasia or polycystic ovary syndrome, you are more likely to experience excessive hair loss. If you experience significant hair loss, you may want to contact a doctor to have your hormone levels tested, as abrupt loss of hair is often caused by endocrinological catalysts
Hair loss causes that stem from hormonal imbalances in women are often coupled with irregular periods, excessive hair growth on the face and/or body, and acne. In addition, if your body goes through dramatic physical changes like pregnancy, childbirth, hypothyroidism, weight loss, and menopause, your hormone levels fluctuate significantly. This can also contribute to hair loss causes.
Nutritional Deficiencies
If you are not consuming enough iron, protein, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and zinc, it can contribute to your hair loss. Thankfully, this can be easily remedied by making your diet more wholesome and taking dietary supplements to fill in the gaps.
Severe Stress or Trauma
If you are suddenly losing a lot of hair, seemingly out of nowhere, it could be a result of a stressful life event. Have you ever watched a cartoon where the character’s hair turns white after they witness a shocking event? In reality, your hair won’t turn silver, but it will start falling off just as suddenly. This is known as telogen effluvium.
Stressful life events can have this effect. If you experience an acutely terror-inducing event or suffer from chronic stress and anxiety, you may feel like you are going to go bald due to the alarming rate at which you start to lose hair. But take heart – you won’t go bald. Your body will readjust, and the hair loss will stop on its own when these sensations of angst and fear are alleviated.
Stop Wasting Time On Unproven Hair Loss Remedies – Talk To An Expert Today
If you are losing hair at a rate that doesn’t seem normal, your first step should be to talk to a hair restoration expert right away. You may be tempted to try a bunch of home remedies or over-the-counter hair supplements, but don’t. They may do more harm than good, especially if you’re suffering from an underlying medical condition.
At 24 Hour Docs, we will determine what’s causing your hair loss. Depending on your condition, our doctors will create a comprehensive treatment plan to give you the best chance to save your hair. Call us at 877-244-6876 or contact us online to schedule your consultation today!