Hair loss. Even the words sound intimidating. In this age of selfies and video calls, our appearance feels more important to us than ever, and our hair is a big part of that. A full, healthy head of hair represents youth and vitality. Yet hair loss is surprisingly prevalent these days, and there are a wide variety of reasons behind it. Thankfully, a lot of hair loss is only temporary, and there are various steps you can take to prevent it. Here’s what you need to know.
The main causes of hair loss
Hair loss can occur for many different reasons. Some of it is genetic, for example male pattern baldness, but your genes are far from the only cause. These are some of the most common factors behind hair loss:
- Aging – as you get older, your hair naturally becomes thinner and finer, falling out more easily
- Hormones – changes in hormones due to pregnancy, for example, childbirth or the menopause, can result in hair loss
- Other health conditions – either the disease itself or the treatment for it can have damaging effects on your hair
- Nutritional deficiencies – diet plays an important part in hair health and if you are lacking in certain vitamins or minerals (for example iron, zinc, or vitamins A, C, and E) then your hair can suffer as a result
- Stress – this is a major factor in hair loss. Stressful life events such as bereavement, divorce, or a job loss can trigger an increase in the amount of hair you lose
- Damage – you might be weakening your hair by using too many chemical products or too much heat when styling
How to prevent hair loss
Depending on the cause of your hair loss, there are precautions you can take to prevent or reverse it. For example, if stress is the cause you could try meditation, breathing exercises, and other mindfulness activities to help you relax. Ensuring that you are eating a balanced diet full of nutrients is also key. Add plenty of dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds, avocados, sweet potatoes, and berries to your meals for maximum hair health, or consider taking a supplement. Finally, take good care of your hair. Don’t brush too aggressively or overuse heated styling tools and hair dyes.
Treatments for hair loss
If your hair loss is more serious, prevention might not be enough. Don’t panic, however, as there are plenty of treatment options you can turn to. Before embarking on any of these, be sure to contact a trustworthy hair loss clinic such as hshairclinic.co.uk for advice.
Hair loss treatments range from shampoos and other similar products if the condition is mild to medications if it’s more serious. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are available, so speak to your doctor about what’s best for you. Lastly, there are also surgical options such as hair transplants. These are much improved compared to the past and can result in a natural-looking head of hair with little to no scarring and a short recovery time.
Image Source: Pixabay
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