Why Malnutrition Can Cause Hair Loss
Hair loss is typically inherited as a condition called androgenetic alopecia. In less common cases, non-genetic factors may cause hair loss as well. Underlying medical conditions like diabetes, lupus, anemia, or thyroid disease may thin out hair. Female patients may also blame low estrogen levels too, which is why temporary hair loss occurs after giving birth or during menopause.
Another common cause of hair loss is a dietary factor: crash diets, lack of protein, unhealthy eating, sudden weight loss, or eating disorders. In cases like this, hair loss happens due to nutritionally insufficiency your body is signalling a problem.
On average, a healthy person may shed 50 100 hairs per day but a malnourished patient may observe their hair thinning and the hair-shedding process accelerating. Aside from shedding, the hair also grows weak and brittle while the skin goes dry. According to biology, these are the symptoms of protein deficiency.
As the protein stores of the body are depleted due to improper nourishment, the body has to take care of essential organs and muscle tissues first. And because hair is made up of proteins, your follicles will suffer because the body is reallocating its remaining protein supply to support life-sustaining organs. Aside from hair loss, you may also observe symptoms like:
- Frequent colds
- Poor recovery from anemia or workouts
- Significant weight loss
Deep Cleanse And Detox Weekly
Even if washing hair is a nightmare because it leads to hair fall, it cannot be skipped. It is essential to get rid of the debris from the scalp in time to guarantee that newly applied products can penetrate the hair shaft properly. Thats why most hair care professionals recommend using a clarifying shampoo once a week to detox and purge impurities from the hair and scalp properly.
Check Out:
The Year Americas Hair Fell Out
The pandemic has been a near-perfect mass hair-loss event.
When I first suspected that I was losing my hair, I felt like maybe I was also losing my grip on reality. This was the summer of 2020, and although the previous three months had been difficult for virtually everyone, I had managed to escape relatively unscathed. I hadnt gotten sick in New York Citys terrifying first wave of the pandemic. My loved ones were safe. I still had a job. I wasnt okay, necessarily, but I was fine. Now my hair was falling out for no appreciable reason. Or at least I thought it washow much hair in the shower drain is enough to be sure that youre not imagining things?
The second time it happened, a little more than a year later, I was surenot because of what was in the shower drain, but because of what was obviously no longer on my head. One day, after washing and drying my hair, I looked at my hairline in the mirror and it was thin enough that I could make out the curvature of my scalp beneath it. I still had enough hair, but notably less than Id had before the pandemic. Feeling a sense of dull panic at the no-longer-refutable idea that something might be wrong, I tipped my head forward to take a picture of my scalp with my phones front-facing camera. When I looked at it, the panic became sharp.
You May Like: Does Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss
Identifying The Cause Of Your Alopecia
There are many possible causes of hair loss. The symptoms and treatments of hair loss vary depending on the cause, so seeking a professional diagnosis is the best way to get a treatment plan that addresses your needs.
Everyone experiences hair shedding, but if youre losing more than 50-100 hairs per day, it could be due to an underlying condition. Traumatic or stressful events, illness, surgery, and pregnancy can all cause temporary hair loss.
But hair loss that continues and gets worse could indicate alopecia. The two most common forms of alopecia are alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that triggers hair loss in patches across the body. It can affect people of all ages and genders, but the good news is that hair often grows back on its own with the help of immune-suppressing medication.
Diffuse Type Of Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. It usually causes patches of hair loss. Two common variantsalopecia areata incognita and diffuse alopecia areatacause diffuse thinning . These types can be misdiagnosed with TE and androgenetic alopecia. Often AA is temporary, and hair will grow back. But it can be long-term .
You May Like: Does Dupixent Cause Hair Loss
Use A Topical Treatment
The only topical treatment that has been approved by the FDA for hair loss in women is minoxidil, better known by the brand name Women’s Rogaine . Topical minoxidil is the gold standard standard of treatment, Dr. Zeichner says. It helps lengthen the active growing stage of hairs and promotes healthy delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle.
Can Certain Hairstyles Or Treatments Cause Hair Loss
Yes. If you wear pigtails or cornrows or use tight hair rollers, the pull on your hair can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. If the pulling is stopped before scarring of the scalp develops, your hair will grow back normally. However, scarring can cause permanent hair loss. Hot oil hair treatments or chemicals used in permanents may cause inflammation of the hair follicle. This can result in scarring and hair loss.
Recommended Reading: Is Hims Legit For Hair Loss
How To Regrow Thinning Hair Naturally In 3 Easy Ways
If youve been wondering about how to regrow thinning hair, the root of the problem may be your scalp. Heat and humidity affect the health of the scalp and can lead to halted growth and weakened strands, says trichologist Susan Roberts-Cooper of évolis hair care. Thats why, with spring and summers heat upon us, we sought to figure out the best way to regrow thinning hair and even how to regrow thinning hair naturally and discovered these expert-backed tips.
Covid Crooks: The Most Outrageous Relief Fund Scammers Busted So Far
Theres a big fallout from the pandemic.
Hair loss brought on by the COVID-induced stress and anxiety of the past 18 months is plaguing women, but theyre finding help with a range of innovative though often costly treatments.
About 30 percent of my patients were e-mailing about hair loss, said Michele Green, a dermatologist at Lenox Hill. It was frightening. Some had sheets of hair falling out.
Last spring, Erica Sperling, 37, noticed her curly locks thinning around the crown. She was working two jobs in media and real estate and tending to her toddler, after losing child care to coronavirus concerns.
It was a really stressful time, said the Westchester resident.
She initially tried to conceal her thinning mane on Zoom calls with headbands and ponytails, but in October she sought medical help. She turned to Bruce Katz, a dermatologist at Juva Skin and Laser Center in Midtown East, whos also seen an uptick in patients complaining about hair loss. He recommended Platelet-rich Plasma treatments, which involve taking blood from the patient, spinning the blood, and then injecting it back into the scalp at a cost of $700 to $900 per session. After two or three monthly cycles, Katz said hair will grow back 25 or 30 percent faster than usual.
It worked for Sperling, who noticed a thick improvement after four treatments. I feel great. I saw results the hair around my temples and forehead grew in, she said. Its one less thing to worry about.
Also Check: How To Stop Male Hair Loss Naturally
How Is Alopecia Areata Treated
For many people, hair grows back without any type of treatment.
The main goal of treatment is to stop the immune system attack on hair follicles and to help hair grow back. While there are no drugs that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for alopecia areata, medications that have been approved for other conditions may be used to treat it.
Alopecia areata is treated by:
- Dermatologists, who specialize in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails.
Other specialists who may be involved in your care include:
- Mental health professionals, who can help with the psychosocial challenges caused by having a medical condition.
- Primary care doctors, such as family physicians or internal medicine specialists, who coordinate care between the different health providers and treat other problems as they arise.
Hair Loss Trigger: The Pill
The hormones that suppress ovulation could cause your hair to thin. Itâs more likely if you have a family history of hair loss. It might happen when you stop taking the pill. Other drugs linked to hair loss include blood thinners and medicines that treat high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, and depression.
Don’t Miss: Does Lice Cause Hair Loss
Establish The Root Of The Problem
The first thing to do is to determine the reason for the hairline recession. “There are many causes of hairline recession in women,” says Shaver, “These include androgenetic alopecia , traction alopecia caused by long-term tight hairstyles, inflammatory alopecia , and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia ), and also alopecia areata . It is important to have a thorough history and examination with a dermatologist in order to determine the cause for hair loss.”
“Hereditary traits and changes in hormones can both naturally cause a receding hairline but can usually be adjusted by your doctor,” explains Maldonado. If you notice that your mother or other members of your family have thin and receding hairlines, a dermatologist might be the answer.
If you’ve recently given birth, the good news is you might just be caught in a waiting game. “Usually six to nine months after having a child, most women lose hair around their hairline,” notes Maldonado. While it is normal, there’s no denying it’s something you’ll want to treat. “A solution to this is to keep taking your prenatal vitamins for a while even after giving birth to help keep the hair stronger and slow the hair fall-out.”
S To Grow Back Protect And Maintain Edges
1. Limit use of extensions or high maintenance styles that pull or put tension on your edges. Even ponytails and twists can damage your edges if you make them too tight. If you do get extensions, ask your stylist to leave out your edges. And if you decide to take a break from extensions to give your edges and hairline some needed rest, check out these other protective styles you can try.
2. Be careful of headbands and hats. Look for headbands with a silk lining, or use a thin satin scarf in between your hat and your hair. Satin or silk will protect your fragile edges from catching or breaking on hats.
3. Wrap and protect your edges at night with a silk scarf or bonnet. Any other fabric will absorb oils and moisture from your hair, making it dry and brittle. Friction with the pillowcase will also snag and break your edges. Tie the scarf on your forehead instead of directly on your edges, to avoid friction. And if you have trouble sleeping with a bonnet, be sure to get satin or silk pillowcases.
4. Massage edges with natural oils to keep moisturized and stimulate growth. The oils themselves stimulate growth and protect and strengthen your hair, and massaging your scalp also stimulates blood circulation and promotes growth. We recommend NaturAll Clubs Jamaican Black Castor Oil Growth Serum to promote growth and a healthy scalp!
10. Patience! Growing back your edges takes time. But if you follow these steps, youll see results. Learn more about how to regrow your edges.
Also Check: What Type Of Hair Loss Does Rogaine Treat
Can Hair Regrow After Thinning
Hair Grows Back. Hair that thins out because of stress does grow back, but it can take several months. You might not experience thinning follicles right after a stressful event, says the AHLC. Most of the time, there’s a three-month delay before you notice hair loss.
Also, can hair regrow on bald area?
1.Massage your scalp once in every 3 days with a mixture of warm castor oil and coconut oil.Mainly focus on the bald areas.After a light massage, wrap a warm wet towel over your head for 3 to 5 minutes.Remove the towel and flip your head upside down for 1 minute.This formula increases blood circulation in the scalp,
Can you grow hair back after it falls out?
Normally, when hair falls out, new hairs start forming in the same place as the old ones. But when someone has hair loss, the hairs may not grow back. Or they do grow, but there aren’t enough of them to take the place of what’s already fallen out. This often happens to men, who might start to go bald as they get older.
Can your hair grow back after alopecia?
However, even if your hair grows back fully after an episode of alopecia areata, it is common to have one or more recurrences of the condition throughout your life. A few people who develop alopecia areata will progress to total scalp baldness . The bald patches start in childhood.
Will Thinning Hair Grow Back
Thinning hair can be very stressful for both women and men and whats even more stressful is wondering if it will ever grow back.
This depends on a few factors, including the main one what caused your hair to thin in the first place?
There are a few reasons you may be experiencing hair thinning, including stress, underlying health conditions, pregnancy, and nutrition deficiencies.
Read Also: Can Stress Cause Hair Loss In Females
The Negative Side Effects Of Hair Thinning And Loss
In advertisements, movies, TV, and even in our social circles we see those with good hair rise to the top and those who struggle with thinning or balding hair taking a back seat. As progressive as Hollywood isand as much as they may make token protests that encourage the embracing of your own bodiestheres no denying that the fashion magazines are quick to pounce on the slightest hairline infraction and condemn it with all the indignation of the Spanish Inquisition. We live in a world where the causes of hair loss are becoming more and more understood, but the appearance of hair loss is condemned by tabloids, reporters, and yes, even our coworkers.
Sure, there are some people who can rock a bald head but for most people, thinning hair is long-term annoyance where you vacillate between shaving it all off and seeking a treatment to get it back. And in the past there just havent been good options to get it back, to restore the fountain of youth.
Unfortunately, there can be negative side effects when someone is experiencing hair thinning. At times, hair loss has been known to lead to mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and feelings of inferiority. All of these can lead to medications, therapy, counseling, and dangerous behaviors in pursuit of reclaiming lost youth.
The good news is that you can find your freedom despite losing hair. There are so many options now to help you get back to a full head of hair that you need never worry about hair loss again.