At sometime in their lives, almost everyone is affected by balding or thinning hair and wants to know what causes hair loss. There are many reasons for hair loss, and it affects people all over the world. Those who suffer from this condition may not understand that their hair loss can be stopped, or that it could have been prevented in the first place. By knowing the causes and taking steps toward eliminating these causes in our daily lives, we can take a big step toward having a beautiful, healthy head of hair. In addition, there are hair regrowth programs available to help those of us whose genetic predisposition is toward early hair loss. Hair loss can be exacerbated by various external or internal causes. Although certainly we would not stop taking medications necessary for life or optimum health, this guide is for the causes that we can control.
Stress
Stress causes hair loss, and can keep hair from growing optimally for a long period of time. If you are stressed, you are putting your body in a “fight or flight” state. The body cannot maintain all of its proper functions under prolonged stress, and the hair growth cycle does not continue when all of the necessary blood supply and nutrients are directed elsewhere under stress. Some people might think that the saying that someone is “so stressed that their hair is falling out” is a myth. Unfortunately, this is a valid reason for hair loss in both men and women.
Malnutrition
If someone is not getting the proper amount of vitamins and minerals they need for optimum health, their body will start to rob nutrients from peripheral functions to feed them to the visceral organs. Malnutrition causes hair loss in many people, young and old all over the world. The body reacts to the deficiency of specific vitamins or minerals. When this happens, the body is not able to keep the follicles healthy, and therefore keep the hair itself healthy and in place. By taking multi vitamins and eating a healthy diet, you can help stop the hair loss and encourage hair growth all at once.
Shampoo
Believe it or not, the type of shampoo you use can determine your amount of hair loss. Shampoo causes hair loss for people who are use types of shampoo that have harsh chemicals, or lather excessively stripping the hair of some of the essential oils that it needs to stay healthy. When your hair becomes dry and brittle, it can tangle or break easier. Shampoos that do not clean the scalp can leave a buildup of oils that clog the hair follicles inhibiting growth of the hair shaft. If you add stress or poor diet you compound the damage possibilities exponentially.
Genetics
When men talk about male pattern baldness, they may not think that there is anything they can do to stop or reverse the process. We also forget that women can be genetically predisposed to thinning or balding as well. Hair loss can be hereditary, in both men and women, but this does not mean that medications, topical creams, laser therapy and proper hair care and nutrition cannot help stop and even reverse this process.
Chemicals
Any exposure to a multitude of chemicals can cause hair loss. Our bodies expend energy fighting the bad effects caused by these chemicals, and our overall health is compromised. Some prescription medicines can also cause hair loss, as the body reacts poorly to the chemical itself.
In summary, poor health or scalp condition causes hair loss. Other than genetics, most of these situations are preventable. By knowing all of the different causes of male or female hair loss, you know exactly what you are doing that you may be able to change. Adding this information to any education you gain about the latest hair regrowth treatments may be all you need to keep your hair vital. Knowing these simple things will allow you to adjust any habits or deal with any issues you may have, and may help you to keep your hair healthy, longer.
What Causes Hair Loss?