8 Reasons Why You Might be Losing Hair
- Losing your hair gradually in small amounts is known as hair thinning.
- Hair thinning is defined by moderate or minor hair loss, which takes some time.
- Moreover, you do not end up going bald due to hair thinning.
- But some thin spots are going to appear on your head.
- Here are some reasons why you might be losing hair:
Over-Treating Hair
- Regularly experimenting with your hair with different products can weaken your hair follicles and damage them.
- Over-treating your hair can lead to gradual hair thinning.
- However, it should once you stop using the harmful products and take better care of your hair.
- Perms, color treatments, relaxers, and harsh shampoos and conditioners can cause damage to your hair.
Hormonal Imbalances
- Hormonal changes can also cause hair loss.
- The hormonal imbalance in women caused by childbirth or menopause can make them lose hair.
- On the other hand, men can lose their hair with age due to changes in their body’s hormone composition.
- The hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) triggers hair follicles, making you lose hair.
Stress
- Uncontrolled or unmanageable stress is a major cause of thinning hair.
- People often lose hair when battling anxiety and stress.
- The stress can be either psychological or physiological. Physiological stress is often short-lived, and hair loss due to it ceases rather quickly.
- However, it is much harder to deal with psychological stress and the hair loss caused by it.
- Lifestyle changes will need to be introduced to better manage stress.
Lacking the Proper Nutrients
- Although your hair is mostly protein, it requires several minerals and vitamins to grow and maintain form.
- Zinc, iron, and folic acid are three nutrients that are essential for hair growth.
- Your body also needs several vitamins, such as Vitamin D and Vitamin B-12, to grow and maintain hair, as well as minerals such as selenium.
- Lower intakes of the relevant nutrients can cause hair loss.
Thyroid Disorders
- The thyroid gland regulates the growth and maintenance of the body.
- Any irregularity in the thyroid’s activity can result in major issues.
- Both hypothyroidism (over-activity) and hyperthyroidism (diminished activity) can impair the maintenance of your body’s tissues.
- This also extends to hair, which may begin to weaken and fall due to an issue with the thyroid.
Medication
- You can also lose hair because of medication.
- Chemotherapy is the most popular example of this.
- However, you can lose hair from a variety of medications.
- Treatment for autoimmune diseases has resulted in hair loss, and medicine ranging from antidepressants to anticoagulants has caused hair loss.
Rapid Weight Loss
- Losing a lot of weight quickly, such as 20 pounds, is a sign of weakness.
- This may happen due to an illness or some health complication.
- However, the weakness can extend to your hair as well.
- You might begin to lose hair right after shedding a lot of weight.
- This is primarily due to nutrients being diverted from your scalp to other areas of your body.
Having a Skin Infection
- Skin infection and disorders can also result in hair thinning.
- Scalp psoriasis is one common skin infection that can cause you to lose hair.
- Similarly, serious cases of dandruff are a result of an infection and can cause hair to thin.
Thankfully, hair thinning is a slow process and can be treated once its causes have been found and treated.