Many women complain of losing their hair every day and worry about the development of this condition.
Let’s see what causes this hair loss, what triggers it, and how to fix it medically and naturally.
Contents
Possible causes of hair loss
There are various causes of hair loss just as there are different types of hair loss.
The most common are of two kinds:
1- Telogen effluvium or diffuse alopecia which is a sudden hair loss that is frightening for the person, worried about going irretrievably bald.
2- Hair loss in women is very progressive and very slow.
The person notices that their hair is no longer growing, losing volume and thickness over time until the scalp becomes visible in places.
The hair cycle
All the hairs in your head grow differently because each one evolves in cycles.
- The anagen phase is during which the hair grows for 2 to 6 years.
- In the catagen phase, the hair does not grow for 5 to 6 weeks and its root goes up towards the epidermis.
- The telogen phase is the maturity of the hair, a resting phase lasting 6 to 7 months. At the end of this phase, the hair falls out.
90% of the hair follicles in your head are either growing in the anagen phase and 10% are in the telogen phase, the resting phase, and are therefore preparing to fall to make room for new follicles.
This is why you should not be alarmed when you notice normal hair loss.
When the follicle is in the resting phase, it goes up towards the epidermis, becomes more superficial, and thus allows a new hair to take its place.
So the hair cycle goes.
Telogen effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a severe, sudden loss of hair.
The person notes that they lose an average of 100 to 200 hairs per day.
This is diffuse hair loss, not outlining any particular shape or defined area.
However, some note a recession in the temple, an area balder than the rest.
And since a form of baldness does not appear until about 50% of the hair has fallen out, the person notices that their hair is losing volume and thickness, is dramatically thinner.
The major cause of telogen effluvium is intense stress due, for example, to exams, a too fast slimming diet, food deficiency or convalescence illness, surgery, or childbirth.
Slimming diets do a lot of damage.
Losing a lot of weight in a very short time deprives the body of proteins that are essential for hair growth.
Likewise, a deficiency of iron, zinc, calcium, or vitamin D affects the hair.
Finally, taking certain drugs such as antidepressants, anticoagulants, antibiotics, retinoids or certain medications for hypertension can also cause a fall of hair.
Hair loss after childbirth is very common. Hormonal changes in pregnancy affect the hair.
They grow faster during this period and then when these hormones return to normal after the birth of the child, they start to fall.
Don’t worry, this phenomenon only lasts 3 or 4 months.
When telogen effluvium occurs, it should be known that it appears 3 to 4 months after the triggering factor as a period of intense stress or an illness.
If you have it today, itemize your experience in this last trimester to determine the exact cause of your hair loss.
Telogen effluvium usually lasts 4-6 months and goes away on its own.
Sometimes it can last up to 8-10 months but rest assured, every hair that falls has its growing replacement.
There is no irreversible damage, the roots are not affected and eventually, the hair cycle can resume its normal course.
Consult a dermatologist as soon as you notice too much hair loss to assess whether it is normal or if treatment is necessary.
Hair loss treatment
Seeing a dermatologist will allow you to determine with him the trigger for this hair loss.
He will thus ask you about the past quarter to try to explain your affection by the events that have occurred in your life.
He then looks at your menstrual cycle, its frequency, flow, and duration as well as the oral contraceptives you use, and possible hormonal problems encountered.
He may offer you a blood test for possible thyroid abnormalities, or iron or zinc deficiency.
He will also advise you on the use of certain treatments for thick hair, permanent colors, or hair straighteners that must be avoided during this period.
During this condition, some people wish to undertake a treatment based on keratin, the dermatologist will advise them to wait until the hair loss is controlled first. Such a treatment could potentially make the situation worse.
Hair loss, what not to do
If you notice abnormal hair loss, take care of them!
– do not do any hairstyle that pulls or coils the hair, no ponytail, no braids.
– avoid too vigorous and hot brushing. Respect dry hair.
– gently shampoo two to three times a week
– avoid hair dryers and more so hair straighteners
Supplements indicated for hair loss
– Iron deficiency
Iron deficiency weakens the hair, which becomes dull and brittle before falling.
Over time, the hair becomes thinner, the hairstyle loses volume, and hair loss is confirmed especially if symptoms such as fatigue, too pale skin, brittle nails, and palpitations are associated.
Anemia can be treated with iron supplementation at a rate of 16 to 18 mg/day in adulthood (12 mg for men), 9mg/day at menopause, or 25 to 35mg/day during pregnancy.
It is nevertheless preferable to request a blood test from your physician to assess the ferritin level before any supplementation.
– Zinc deficiency
Zinc deficiency also causes hair to weaken, making it brittle, thin, and dull.
Hair loss accelerates as you feel tired, lose your appetite, your spirits are low and your immune system is weak.
This very common deficiency can be treated by supplementation with zinc bisglycinate (#ad) at a rate of 10 to 15mg/day for at least one month.
Note that it is preferable not to combine iron supplementation during the same period to avoid any interaction between these minerals.
– Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency causes many symptoms and hair loss is one of them.
Deficient in this vitamin, the scalp secretes an excessive amount of sebum and the follicles weaken very quickly.
An intake of vitamin D3 (#ad) can be considered at a rate of 1500 to 2000IU per day.
– Calcium deficiency
Calcium deficiency or hypocalcemia mainly results in bone fragility, cramps, high blood pressure.
The hair on the other hand becomes brittle and dull.
The recommended intake of calcium (#ad) is 1g/day for adults divided into 2 or 3 intakes and 1.3g/day for over 50s and pregnant women.
It is also indicated to associate calcium with vitamin D because the latter increases its absorption in the digestive tract.
It is recommended not to supplement calcium when treating anemia (iron).
– Biotin or Vitamin B8 deficiency
Biotin plays an essential role in the metabolism of fats, amino acids, and carbohydrates.
Without being scientifically formal, this vitamin is believed to have a major impact on hair renewal and hair health.
A biotin supplement (#ad) can help regrowth if a 3 to 6-month treatment is started.
A daily intake of 15mg is recommended.
– Deficiency of folic acid or Vitamin B9
Folic acid plays a major role in cell renewal and red blood cells.
It participates in keratinization and greatly contributes to hair growth while preventing graying.
The recommended daily allowance in folic acid (#ad) is 400µg not to be exceeded because this vitamin triggers potentially dangerous side effects such as nausea, migraines, skin rashes, and even neurological disorders.
– Minoxidil lotion
Minoxidil lotion (#ad) is generally recommended by dermatologists because it activates blood circulation and improves skin nutrition.
The hair grows faster and the hair cycle stabilizes.
Note that the use of this lotion first causes transient hair loss lasting 10 days to 3 weeks.
To be effective, a treatment of 3 to 6 months must be started with, depending on the case, a 2% lotion twice a day or 5% at night for severe cases.
* Minoxidil is not without side effects and can cause itching, irritation, and allergic reactions.
It is also contraindicated in dermatological conditions such as eczema, psoriasis … or cardiovascular pathology.
Note that this substance does not work in case of sudden hair loss caused by drug treatment, an underlying disease such as hormonal disorders, or after childbirth.
Modern treatments for hair loss
- PRP treatment (platelet-rich plasma)
A sample of about 20cc of your blood is taken for centrifugation to obtain a platelet concentrate with superior regenerative properties.
This blood is then injected into the scalp to stimulate it.
- Mesotherapy
The dermatologist offers you a cocktail of vitamins and stimulants that he injects into the scalp to stop the progression of telogen effluvium and improve the regrowth of hair.
- Cell therapy
The principle of cell therapy is to treat hair loss by follicular stem cells by reprogramming the hair follicles in the telogen phase to bring them back to the anagen phase.
Your stem cells are therefore injected to repair the cells of damaged follicles.
- Laser therapy
Infrared laser light has long been known as a great way to regenerate tissue and thus promote hair regrowth.
You can even find monochromatic red light (#ad) devices to accelerate hair growth at home.
Laser Hair Growth System
- Hair oxygen therapy
The goal of oxygen therapy is to bombard the scalp with pure, high-pressure oxygen to improve cell renewal, blood circulation, and the overall health of the hair.
Natural remedies for hair loss
– Healthy eating
Your eating routine should be balanced, high in protein, carbohydrates, fats.
Make sure you have at least one full meal a day.
– A regular rhythm of life
Don’t neglect your sleep. Go to bed on time, get up on time.
Do not disturb your circadian rhythm so as not to create a hormonal imbalance, the direct cause of hair loss.
– Onion, garlic, ginger
Garlic and onion are sources of sulfur that strengthens the hairline.
Ginger stimulates blood circulation, which helps in hair growth.
You can apply the juice of these 3 ingredients to your scalp for 20 minutes.
Perform an allergic test before use.
For a milder solution, you can also dilute it in any vegetable oil and then leave it for 30 minutes before rinsing.
To be done twice a week for 2 to 3 months.
– Aloe Vera – Apple cider vinegar
The perfect pH of the scalp should be between 4.5 and 5.5.
This is an acidic PH that helps fight bacteria.
Most hair care products are alkaline and do not respect this PH.
Mixing aloe vera (#ad) and organic cider vinegar in a spray and applying it to the hair and the scalp allows you to balance the PH and thus protect hair health.
Don’t worry, you won’t end up bald!
In a few months, you will be able to control this hair loss and restart a normal hair cycle.
All you have to do is cuddle your hair, be patient, and wait for regrowth by giving it a boost.
How about you? What are your tips for fighting uncontrolled hair loss?
Read more:
How to get rid of dandruff fast?
This article contains affiliate links echoing my recommendations.
I use Amazon’s Partner Program, an affiliate program designed to pay commissions through amazon.com links
This process does not affect my opinions in any way but each purchase helps this blog to live – Marie
){kind=link}