Rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes, and full lips are a sight for sore eyes, but well-nourished hair is the aspect of a lady’s appearance that will turn heads in the crowd from a few feet away. Still, over time, even the best-groomed hair tends to lose its sheen and grow thin, which is one of the first symptoms of hair loss. According to recent statistics, 80% of women are at risk of experiencing noticeable hair loss by the age of 60, along with 65% of their male peers, which is a rather hairy prospect for the future. But why exactly does a hairline recede, and what can you do to prevent hair loss and keep the volume of your tresses in check?
The Hairless End: Common Hair Loss Symptoms
Most people peg hair loss on the season, tight hairdos, or yanks when hair brushing, but if your hair seems to be growing thinner as weeks or months go by, it’s time to start looking for the real reasons below the scalp. Here are some of the most common hair loss causes which can destroy your mane’s glamorous look.
1. Genetic Factors
Male- and female-pattern baldness is caused by genetic factors and can result in rapid hair loss if combined with hormonal disorders and other factors. A thinning hairline that runs in the family is usually irreversible, but it can be halted with the help of medications and topical creams such as minoxidil that encourage hair growth and help preserve existing hair volume.
2. Emotional Stress
Intense stress is another culprit behind a receding hairline, and stress-caused hair loss usually occurs after traumatic events such as divorce or death of a loved one. In most cases, though, emotional stress is more of an exacerbating factor that can aggravate shedding caused by other organic reasons, such as hormonal imbalance, aging, or autoimmune diseases.
3. Improper Nutrition
Diet is another piece of the lifestyle puzzle that can ruin the charming looks of your tresses and cause gradual hair loss. A menu chronically low in protein, iron, or Vitamin B will slow down hair growth which can result in increased shedding and thinning hairline in both men and women. A diet high in Vitamin A can have a similar effect, as well as too rigorous a weight loss regime and sudden weight loss.
4. Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal issues have been linked to hair loss, and chronic conditions such as thyroid problems and polycystic ovary syndrome can cause your hair to start thinning as a side effect. Hormonal imbalance caused by menopause and pregnancy also contributes to hair loss, but the hairline usually restores a healthy volume soon after hormonal equilibrium is reestablished.
5. Overstyling
Excess use of hair sprays, curling irons, and dyes and certain hairstyles such as super-tight braids and ponytails are another reason why your hair may begin to fall out in clumps. For this reason, most hairstylists recommend using natural henna instead of oxidative dyes and allowing hair to rest after use of chemical-based hair gels and other styling products.
6. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be a lifesaver, but it doesn’t do a pretty number on hair volume. In order to eradicate cancer, chemo kills fast-dividing cells, including those that make up your hair, which is why baldness is a common problem for most chemotherapy patients.
Reversing Hair Loss: Mission Extremely Possible
If your curls are looking emaciated, you shouldn’t wait for bald patches to start popping up here and there to take action. To efficiently remedy hair loss, you should identify the main reason for the thin tresses and take steps to promote hair growth with the help of medications, homemade hair growth solutions, and other treatments. Based on the primary cause of hair loss, you can try one of the following hair growth hacking tricks.
1. Reversing the Genes
For hereditary alopecia, most dermatologists recommend use of medications such as finasteride and minoxidil. In serious cases of male or female pattern baldness, however, transplant surgery is usually the most efficient remedy. Toupees and wigs are also an option for people who want to conceal their bald crown until hair begins to grow back.
2. Feed Your Hair Right
For short-term hair loss in shedding seasons or thinning of the tresses caused by stress or excess hairstyling, hairdressers often recommend regular use of hair growth products such as vitamins, ointments, serums, and botanical oils. You should try to avoid tight hairstyles that can damage the hair follicles and cause the strands to fall out. Ladies who don’t want to stop dyeing their hair over loss of volume can try using natural hair dyes instead of chemical-based ones.
3. Nourish Hair Inside Out
In case of hair loss caused by anemia or a diet lacking in vital nutrients, you will need to stock up your plate with foods high in protein, iron, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. By tweaking your nutrition to healthy, you’ll be nourishing both your skin and hair from the inside out and promoting radiant complexion and healthy hair by a single dietary blow.
4. Fix the Real Problem
For hair loss caused by hormonal glitches, you will need to treat the underlying cause in order to restore lasting sheen and volume to your mane. A regular health checkup and blood screenings will show whether the reason behind the loss of hair volume is lurking behind insulin, estrogen, or testosterone imbalance. In case the blood tests confirm hormonal imbalance, you should consult your GP about adequate treatment and get prescription medications that will take care of the issue both below deck and on top your crown.
Hair loss is not just an aesthetic problem: a receding hairline and bald patches can wreak havoc on your self-confidence and give rise to insecurities, depression, and anxiety. On top of that, loss of hair volume can also be a sign of serious health problems below deck, which is why you need to treat hair loss seriously and take steps to fix the damage before you catch a glimpse of a bald self checking you out in the mirror. Don’t lose either your hair or good health over utter neglect: eat clean, keep tabs on stress levels, be gentle when styling your hair, don’t go skipping doctor’s appointments, and you’ll be rewarded with a head-full of silky, glowing locks.