Explore the various causes of hair loss and learn how to treat it with our experts’ tips and advice.

1. Why is your hair falling out?
2. Symptoms of hair loss
3. Ways to prevent hair loss

Hair loss— These two words can give anyone sleepless nights and exhausting days, thinking why their hair is falling out. Finding a few hair strands on your brush is fine as long it stays between the 50-100 hair strands range. However, the trouble starts brewing when you begin to lose an unusual amount of hair and notice gaps wider than before. If you can see scalp peeking through your hair, that’s the first sign of thinning hair.

Hair loss also causes bald spots on the scalp and if it is persistent, you need immediate help. Before you begin looking for the best hair loss treatments, let’s look at the major causes of hair loss.

Your hair strands follow a cycle where they fall off and are replaced by new ones. However, hair loss occurs when new hair doesn’t replace the ones that have fallen out. The primary causes of hair loss are:

• Genetics

The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that occurs with ageing. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, baldness that occur in both males and females, which happens gradually and follows a predictable pattern. This surfaces in the form of a receding hairline and bald spots in men, while women experience thinning of hair along the crown of the scalp.

• Hormonal changes

There are numerous causes of hair loss and hormonal changes are one of them. Hormonal changes can cause permanent or temporary hair loss. Thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) and hypothyroidism (too less thyroid hormone) can lead to hair fall as well.

• Stress

Stress has somehow become synonymous with the modern way of life. In addition to triggering several unpleasant consequences, stress (both physical and psychological) is a major cause of hair loss. High-fever, surgery, and blood loss can cause severe stress that results in excessive shedding. Stress related hair loss is real and the link between psychological stress and hair loss is quite well-established. Many people experience hair loss at times of extreme stress or anxiety.

• Medications

Often, temporary hair loss occurs as a side-effect to certain medications you are prescribed. The various medications that can trigger hair loss include:

1. Antidepressants
2. Beta-blockers
3. Thyroid medications
   
4. Some oral contraceptives
   
5. Anticonvulsants
   
6. Anticoagulants
   
7. Chemotherapy
   

However, it is vital to understand that though these medications cause hair loss, they do not affect everyone the same way. Different people react differently to these medications.

• Nutritional deficiencies

What you eat has a direct impact on your overall health, and this includes your hair as well. A balanced diet can prevent numerous health complications. However, if your diet does not include essential nutrients, it can cause several deficiencies. Hair loss is related to zinc and iron deficiency, but low intakes of the following nutrients too are known to cause hair loss.

1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin B12
   
3. Vitamin C
   
4. Vitamin D
   
5. Copper
   
6. Selenium
   
7. Biotin C18
   
8. Fats
   

• Lupus

Lupus, an autoimmune disease, can also cause your hair to start falling out. The hair loss occurs in patches and is often accompanied by lesions on the scalp.

• Dandruff

The dreaded dandruff is one of the major causes of hair loss. It causes your scalp to turn itchy and when you give into the urge to itch, you end up damaging the individual hair strands. This causes breakage and triggers hair loss.

Identifying the symptoms of hair loss helps you get timely hair loss treatment. This also works in preventing the condition from escalating. Hair loss appears in different forms, based on what’s causing it in the first place. The symptoms of hair loss include:

• Appearance of circular or patchy bald spots
  
• Gradual thinning of hair on top of the head
  
• Sudden loosening of hair
  
• Full-body hair loss
  
• Appearance of patches of scaling that spreads over the scalp.
  
  

Haven’t we all heard that “prevention is always better than cure?” Instead of waiting for this agonising condition to affect you, it is more feasible that you learn how to prevent hair loss. We are here to help. Let’s look at some effective tips to prevent hair loss.

• Wash your hair regularly

Washing your hair can keep your scalp clean and healthy. This ensures that your scalp and hair is free fromany gunk and impurities that can cause hair loss.Head & Shoulders UltraMen Hair Retain 2-in-1 is the ideal hair care product for you. If you find the shampoo + conditioner routine tedious, this 2-in-1 hair product is perfect for you. Created with a boosting formula, it has Ginseng that makes your hair stronger from root to tip. Moreover, the 2-in-1 formula cleans and conditions the hair in one easy step. The 2-in-1 product defeats dandruff and nourishes dry scalp and reduces scalp itch. This is an excellent way to prevent hair loss* caused by dandruff.

• Protein-rich foods

Your hair follicles are made up of protein called Keratin. Nutritional deficiencies, those particularly caused by the lack of amino acids that serve as the building blocks of protein, can cause hair loss. So, to prevent hair loss, consider adding more protein-rich foods like eggs, nuts, low-fat dairy products, chicken, beans and peas, to your diet.

• Vitamin A

To prevent your hair from falling out, you need to add foods rich in vitamin A to your diet. Did you know vitamin A is composed of part retinoids? These elements are known to increase the rate of hair growth. Moreover, this vitamin also helps with sebum production that keeps your scalp healthier and promotes hair growth.

• Biotin

Biotin, also known as vitamin H or B7, is crucial to the fatty acid synthesis process in the body that is vital for the hair life cycle. Which is why you might experience hair loss if you have a deficiency. So, if you are trying to understand how to stop hair loss, you need to acknowledge how important biotin is for your hair and consult your doctor about the supplements.

• Multivitamins

Vitamins A, B, C, D, iron, zinc, and selenium are all vital for hair growth and retention process. Which is why you should consider taking multivitamins (after consulting your doctor).

• Lay off the styling for a bit

Avoid using a lot of hair styling products as they can leave residue behind. This residue can clog your pores and make your scalp oily. Moreover, refrain from using heat styling tools this can damage or break your hair shaft.

Treating hair loss involves using the right hair care products and consuming a nourishing diet. However, if you notice that there’s no improvement in the condition, and you are experiencing sudden or extreme hair loss, consult your doctor immediately.

(*due to breakage)