If you’re brushing your hair one day and notice a little extra hair on your brush when you’re done, is this a reason to panic? If it happens only occasionally, perhaps not, but if this occurs on a regular basis, you might need to see a doctor. For both men and women, hair loss can be devastating.
Rapid and Sudden Hair Loss Facts
If you’re wondering what causes this hair loss, there are actually several possible reasons. Hair is made mostly of a protein called keratin but just because you start using a keratin-rich product doesn’t mean that you’ll instantly get your hair back. In fact, there are numerous causes for hair loss and knowing what they are can save you a lot of stress in the long run.
1. Hair Loss Is More Common in Women Than Many People Think
Although many people assume that only men suffer with hair loss, this is simply not true. Many hair care products that are designed to produce thicker, fuller hair were originally developed specifically for men. However, now that it is well known that women can also suffer with hair loss, many of these companies are creating newer products made for the special needs of females. Women tend to experience thinning hair at the top of their heads as opposed to the temples as men do and this is especially common after they pass menopause. Since there are now products for both men and women, however, both sexes are now able to enjoy fuller heads of hair after treatment.
2. It Could Be Something Serious
Alopecia is a common ailment that causes people to lose all of their hair, which is yet another reason to contact a doctor as soon as your hair starts falling out. Alopecia is thought to be linked to heredity and problems with the immune system but regardless of what is causing yours, a doctor can go over your alternatives so that you can decide together what to do next after your diagnosis. Even lupus can be a cause of alopecia so getting to the doctor as soon as possible is highly recommended.
3. Some Medications Have Been Proven to Be Effective
Much as with other ailments, baldness can sometimes be cured with certain prescriptions. Medications such as finasteride and minoxidil have been proven to be effective for a lot of men and women. If these work for you, you’ll be able to forego something more invasive such as hair transplants and other hair treatments, making it a lot easier to deal with this affliction in the end.
4. There Are Ways to Tell If You are Experiencing Too Much Loss
If you’re wondering how much hair loss is too much, there are simple ways to tell. The average person loses 50 to 100 strands of hair each day and if you’re wondering if your hair loss is normal, try the “tug” test. Hold between 15 and 20 strands of hair between your index finger and thumb, then tug gently and see how many hairs come out. If the number is more than six, it could indicate a problem. However, once again, the only way to tell for sure is to visit a doctor because only a qualified hair doctor can let you know for sure if your hair loss is considered serious.
5. There Are Actual Ways to Prevent Some Hair Loss
There are no hard and fast rules concerning this suggestion but in some instances, especially if your hair loss is not too severe, you can actually prevent your hair loss from occurring. You can adhere to certain rules to reduce the amount of hair you lose, such as only using a comb when your hair is wet and fragile, setting your hairdryer to a cooler temperature to prevent the heat from breaking the hair, and limiting the use of curling irons, hot curlers, and straighteners. Remember that heat is bad for your hair and you can keep more of your hair by reducing or eliminating this heat altogether.
6. Loosen up a Little
Hair that is held too tightly by ponytail holders and clips can become fragile and can even result in something known as “traction alopecia.” If you like to wear your hair in a bun or ponytail, make sure that the items you use are as loose as possible, especially if you wear your hair this way on a daily basis. Too-tight hairstyles can cause permanent damage and are more likely to result in some type of hair loss for both men and women.
7. Believe it or Not, Your Diet Makes a Difference to Your Hair
The way you eat can affect everything from your weight to your heart health and now it can even be linked to thinning hair or baldness. When it comes to hair loss, eating food that is healthy is important but there are also certain vitamins and minerals that can stop hair loss or at least slow it down. Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and iron nourish the scalp and hair follicles and taking a keratin-rich supplement can also help. This is a simple method that almost everyone can follow, making it one of the fastest methods to reduce hair loss.
8. Relax!
Not to anyone’s surprise, getting rid of as much stress as possible can actually prevent or reduce your hair loss problems. Meditation, regular exercise, yoga, and breathing exercises are great techniques for relaxing and since it is well known that stress causes an increase in hair loss, doing the opposite can be a real lifesaver. Relax when you can and practice techniques to reduce your stress level; your hair follicles will thank you for it.
Hair loss can be devastating; thankfully, there are things that you can do to reduce your hair loss or stop it altogether. Once again, a consultation with a physician can rule out the most serious reasons for hair loss, and you can even get some suggestions on the various methods you can utilize to increase the amount of hair you have. Most are definitely worth trying and regardless of which method you choose, it is good to know that there are always methods that will work for you, which makes your hair loss problems a lot easier to deal with.