Why Does Hair Loss Occur? The Reasons for Hair Loss

By Mark Todd

Do you suffer from chronic hair loss problems? Do you know why you are losing so much hair every time you brush your mane? Don't neglect it. Hair fall may be the side effect of some other ailment lurking underneath. It could also be caused by some incorrectly performed hair care regimen. How? Let's find out:

1. Hormonal imbalance: Androgens and estrogens are the male and female hormones. When they experience sudden change, their levels are thrown out of balance which is one of the major reasons for hair loss. An example of this is of a woman after child birth. High hormonal levels during pregnancy prevents hair fall, but a few months after child birth the hormonal level comes back to normal. It is not surprising that the woman will experience increased hair loss at this time.

2. Too strenuous hairstyling regimens - Chemical treatments of hair, including hair curling or straightening are often reasons for hair loss. Even using thick, strong rubber bands on your hair can cut off air supply to the roots, resulting in death of hair strands. Use of chemical dyes, hair straighteners, curlers and bleaches will also increase the rate of hair fall by stripping your tresses of vital nutrients.

3. Medications: Many drugs that we consume are responsible for the alarming rate in increase of hair fall. Medications for hypertension, depression, heart disease and arthritis cause weakening of hair roots and hair fall. The radiation treatment for cancer is also a reason for hair fall.

4. Malnutrition and stress - Malnutrition is one of the most important reasons for hair loss as well. This is because when you lack vital nutrients in your diet, your body fails to supply adequate nutrients to the hair roots, preventing growth of new hair.

5. Genetic reasons - Did your grandpa have a bald head by the time he reached 50? Be careful, because his genes are also in you. Genetic traits influence the level of male and female hormones in a person. This, in turn, directly influences the rate of hair fall in a person.

These are the principal reasons for hair loss that occur in people. Prevention of these causes and curing of the others can prevent hair loss to a great extent. The trick is to spot the actual reason for hair loss to occur and take it out of the picture.

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Learn How To Prevet Hair Loss

By Irina Thorton

While some people say hair loss cannot be prevented, there are also some that say hair loss is preventable. What is the truth? Stopping hair loss may not always be possible for everyone. For some people though, it can be done. Here are some simple tips to help you prevent hair loss.

Take Care of Your Hair

Too Much Styling - You know how they say that hairstyling and the use of hair products cannot cause you to lose your hair. This may be partly true especially if you only have your hair done in regular but safe intervals. Too much bleaching, repeated coloring and rigorous drying however will definitely damage your hair. Among some people the scalp may be damaged as well, which may possibly cause some hair loss.

Choose your products well. Products that are too harsh and are not deemed safe for consumer use may cause untold damage to your hair. Prevent hair loss by not being too vain with your hair.

Watch Your Hairstyles

The Traction Alopecia Cause - One type of hair loss is known as traction alopecia. This is called such because the stress or traction placed on the hair strands may cause them to get uprooted from the scalp. This usually happens when you keep on sporting tight hairstyles like braids, corn rolls and pony tails. Your condition may get worse if the skin over which the hair strands was pulled from develops a scar. In this case, it may be difficult to prevent hair loss. The best thing to do to prevent hair loss from this cause is to alternate your hairstyles.

Eat Right and Exercise

Researches show that being deficient in some vitamins and minerals could lead to hair loss. You can prevent hair loss of this type by making sure that you always eat healthy and nutritious foods at least three times a day. You can't just stop her though. You have to make sure that the nutrients in your body reach their destinations. One way to do that and possibly prevent hair loss is through regular aerobic exercise. Swimming, running, walking, cycling and other similar activities will promote proper blood flow and nutrient distribution.

Vitamin Supplementation

Diet and the right food is not enough. You can't always prevent hair loss though by just attempting to eat right. Chances are, you may not always be able to get the right amount of nutrients in your body. You can make sure that you are not missing out on any essential nutrients by taking vitamin and mineral supplements.

Medication

Hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia is another story. You may have a harder time trying to prevent hair loss if you are suffering from a hair loss condition known as androgenetic alopecia. In this condition the DHT hormone causes the hair follicles to shrink, making new hair growth difficult. One way to prevent hair loss of this kind is to take medication. So far there are two medications approved for the treatment and prevention of male hair loss. There is one indicated for female use.

Herbs for Hair Loss

As with most other serious medications, those used to prevent hair loss may come with some side effects. If you would like to avoid dealing with these, you may want to go for herbs for hair loss. Saw palmetto is one option for men. It has been shown to be able to block DHT before it can do damage to hair follicles.

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Stress and Hair Loss: Are They Connected?

By Irina Thorton

Some of us seem to forget that the hair is still every bit a part of our human bodies. This means that it is always affected by whatever the entire body system undergoes. This has led a lot of people to think that there might be a connection between hair health and stress. Could it be possible that there is a link between stress and hair loss?

Hair Loss

The two main factors affecting hair loss are genetic and hormonal changes. This implies that stress has less of a role in majority of hair loss cases. Stress however can make hair loss worse among people who are already genetically predisposed to it. In people who do not have hair loss due to genes and hormones, stress may be the major causal factor.

Stress and Hair Loss

All experts agree that there is a strong link between hair loss and stress. There are of course different types of stressful experiences. A person could be either physically or emotionally stressed. Hair loss can happen when either of the two types of stress appears. In most cases though, it is a combination of physical and emotional factors that work together to bring about hair loss. Examples of conditions and situations where the connection between stress and hair loss is apparent include the following:

- Pregnancy and childbirth - Surgery - Severe illness - Accident or trauma - Difficult personal life conditions or environment - Mentally, physically or emotionally draining work - Worrying too much over financial status or situation

Telogen Effluvium

People who have both stress and hair loss in their lives may be suffering from a condition known as telogen effluvium. Under normal circumstances, we all have 80%-90% of our hair strands in the growing phase and the remaining portion in the resting phase. Eventually the resting hair strands will fall off. In people with both stress and hair loss there is an increase in the normal percentage of hair strands in the resting phase. This results in a noticeable increase in hair shedding. All of a sudden you may feel that there may be more strands of hair on your brush or pillow than normal.

Another school of though is that stress greatly affects our immune system which in turn, influences the health of hair. The link between stress and hair loss may become more evident when the immune system is weakened by stress. Some experts theorize that because of the stressful conditions, the immune system may suddenly turn against the body, attacking cells and tissues including the hair follicles. This results in increased hair shedding.

Solutions

The solution is obvious when you are suffering both from stress and hair loss. Your first step would be to attempt to reduce stress or move away from a stressful situation. If you are severely ill for example, take time away from daily concerns to properly recuperate. If work is causing you a lot of stress, move away from it temporarily by having a vacation.

Learn to cope with the situation if you are unable to completely eliminate it. Reduce stress and hair loss by learning stress reduction techniques like meditation and progressive relaxation.

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Female Hair Loss Treatment: Essentials You Need To Know

By Irina Thorton

Hair loss is a condition that is not exclusive to men. Women can suffer from hair loss, too. It is not easy though to look for the right female hair loss treatment. There are limited medical options but there are numerous supplements that claim to be able to solve female hair loss. This current state of female hair loss treatment options makes things difficult. Here are some reminders to help you find a good treatment.

Ruling Out

Make sure you know the cause of your condition before you choose a treatment. This will ensure that you get the right treatment specifically designed for your hair loss case. It is true that most hair loss cases among women is known as androgenetic alopecia and has something to do with genes and hormones but you could be part of the minority who needs a special kind of female hair loss treatment.

Alopecia Aratea - Among other kinds of female hair loss are alopecia aratea and traction alopecia. The former is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. The later condition is caused by tight braiding or hairstyling.

Other Factors - Other conditions that need special female hair loss treatment solutions may be caused by diseases such as diabetes, lupus and anemia. Hair loss can also be the result of certain medications such as those used in chemotherapy. Among some women the cause of temporary hair loss could be plain and simple stress. In any case, knowing the exact cause of your condition will protect you from blowing your money away on the wrong female hair loss treatment.

Remember the Pattern

One way to find out if you need female hair loss treatment for androgenetic alopecia which is the most common form of hair loss is to look at the pattern. Always remember that women with androgenetic alopecia do not look the same as men who have the same condition. Males may eventually lose a large portion of their hair, resulting in an obvious bald area or spot. Women however only manifest hair loss through a diffuse thinning. If you have hair loss that leads to bald patches, your condition might not be androgenetic alopecia. It is a sign that you need special female hair loss treatment.

Pick Between Two Modes

Choose between two modes of female hair loss treatment once you have determined the cause of your condition. You can either go for medical treatments or for natural ones. Medically, you can only really opt to have hair surgery or take the only FDA approved medication for female hair loss.

Other Options - There are far more options for natural hair loss treatments. Most product options however are labeled as supplements. They may require further scientific studies to prove their safety and effectiveness.

Research

Know more about the alternative before using it. Perform your own research on the herbs and nutrients contained in the product of your choice. This will ensure that you do have the right ingredients to help you with your condition. Remember too that men and women have different systems. Some hair loss product ingredients for men may not be safe or advisable for women.

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Top Reason for Hair Loss

By Irina Thorton

It can be a real tragedy to lose one's hair. Afterall, it is man's crowning glory! If you are wondering why all of a sudden you notice more hair strands on your pillow than usual, your reason for hair loss might be any of these top causes.

Hormones

Hormonal changes is the top reason for hair loss in an individual. In most cases is the hormone DHT which damages the hair follicles. This is naturally present in men and those who go bald do so because of both the hormone and their genes. In women, hormonal fluctuations could lead to lower than normal estrogen levels. Estrogen is supposed to balance and regulate DHT. With less estrogen, DHT has a stronger effect.

Severe Illness

Problem with Thyroids - A serious thyroid disorder could be your reason for hair loss. Aside form thyroid problems though, other severe illnesses such as high fever and infections could shock your system and cause your hair to temporarily fall out at a faster rate.

Nutrient Deficiency

Nutritional Deficiencies - As some studies would show, being deficient in some vitamins and minerals could be the reason for hair loss. Individuals who have diets low in protein and some B-complex vitamins may experience temporary hair loss. The lack of iron or the inability of the body to completely absorb iron may also cause your hair to shed faster. The only logical solution to this problem would be to eat right and take supplementation.

Medications

Medications - We all know that certain cancer treatment can cause massive hair loss. There are however, other medication types that could be the reason for hair loss. Some steroids and blood thinners are examples of these medicines.

Major Operation

One event that can be physically and emotionally traumatic for a person is undergoing an operation. A person could still continue losing hair even a month or more after the operation. Often though, a person will stop losing his hair as soon as he completely recuperates from the surgical procedure.

Stress

There are some sources that try to downplay stress as a cause for hair loss. Stressful situations however could lead to a condition called telogen effluvium. Constant and extreme bombardment of physical or emotional stress could push some of the hair strands in the growing phase prematurely into the resting phase. Eventually, these hair strands will begin to shed.

Infection

Another possible cause is ringworms that infect the scalp. This unsightly and uncomfortable reason for hair loss is a form of scalp infection.

Hairstyles

The moderate or controlled use of hairstyling products does not cause hair loss. It is generally agreed upon though that using too much of these hair products and rigorous hair blow drying could damage the hair severely. In some people the main reason for hair loss would be certain hairstyles. Tight braiding and pony tailing could uproot hair strands. In severe cases, the scalp injury could develop scar tissue in which case it would be difficult to re-grow hair.

Auto-Immune Disorder

Alopecia aratea is a rare condition among individuals but it is still considered to be a possible major reason for hair loss. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks the follicle cells. The attack damages the cells and causes hair loss.

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Vitamins for Hair Loss: Why You Should Take It

By Irina Thorton

Are vitamins for hair loss essential in preventing the condition? There has been a lot of talk lately about it. Some sources cite that vitamins for hair loss do not have much of an impact on the real causes of the condition. The truth is that vitamins may play a very crucial role in hair loss management.

Hair Loss

Hormonal Imbalance - It is true that most hair loss cases in both men and women are caused by genes and hormones. A person who is genetically predisposed to hair loss or baldness in men will eventually become sensitive to the hormonal actions that may bring about the condition. This genetic predisposition is formed as soon as your parent's cells meet in your mother's womb. At a certain time, the hormone DHT which causes hair loss will begin to bind to your follicle receptors which will lead to hair loss.

Anyone would probably think that no vitamins for hair loss can counter what is meant to be. It is a fact though that vitamin deficiency can lead to worse cases of hair loss. Studies do show that people who are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals do tend to shed their hair strands faster than normal.

Vitamin Intake

Right Food and Diet - Since we were little kids, we have often been taught that the best way to get healthy is to eat the right kinds of food packed with essential vitamins and minerals. It is true that the best source of great vitamins is our food. The same goes for vitamins for hair loss. You can easily get lots of vitamins for hair loss by filling your daily diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

The sad thing is that these days, it is not so simple and easy to get the right vitamins for hair loss in every meal. Our difficult and fast-paced personal and work schedules make it difficult for us to eat full meals every time.

Various cooking and food storing methods also do not always guarantee the perfect preservation of vitamins for hair loss. The solution therefore would be to ensure that one always gets vitamin supplementation. In this way, one is always assured of getting the right supply of essential nutrients everyday.

Vitamin B6

One enduring member of the vitamins for hair loss group is vitamin B6, a water soluble vitamin. This vitamin is critical for blood metabolism. Being deficient in it would normally lead to some form of anemia. Others may also become at risk of diabetes. Incidentally, both anemia and diabetes are conditions that have been cited as possible causes of non genetic hair loss. No wonder studies show that vitamin B6 deficiency may lead to hair loss. Now if you are already a genetic candidate for hair loss, you don't want to make your condition even worse by being vitamin deficient.

Color and Quality of Hair - Taking B6 vitamins for hair loss is supposed to enhance the quality and color of your hair. Moreover, vitamin B6 is also important for circulatory and immune health. Good blood flow and a fully functional internal defense system are of course necessary to promote hair health.

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Vitamins for Hair Loss in Women: Does It Work?

By Irina Thorton

Can vitamins for hair loss in women work? Lately, there has been an ongoing debate on whether or not vitamins can help prevent or stop hair loss in women. What is the real score here? Is preventing hair loss as simple as eating a good diet and taking vitamins for hair loss in women?

Androgenetic Alopecia

This is a common cause of hair loss. Majority of both men and women who lose their hair have andorgenetic alopecia. In this condition, the hormone DHT binds itself to the hair follicles and damages them. The condition is especially marked in those who are genetically predisposed to hair loss. Since genes and hormones are the main factors in this form of hair loss, some individuals have stopped seeing vitamins as a factor that can prevent hair loss.

Contributing Factors

If your condition is caused by androgenetic alopecia, vitamins for hair loss in women don't really have much of an effect. They are however still necessary to address the contributory factors that can make hair loss worse in women. It is generally known that aside from genes and hormones, female hair loss can be made worse by stress, trauma, emotional distress and serious illness. The only way to fight these contributory factors is through vitamins for hair loss in women.

What Vitamins Can Do

Essentially, vitamins for hair loss in women are perfect for keeping your present hair healthy, strong and free from damage and dryness. Vitamins also keep the entire scalp and the follicles properly nourished to encourage new hair growth. Although vitamins for hair loss in women can be found in nutritious foods, it still makes a lot of sense to get some extra boost from vitamin supplements. These can help supply whatever we lack from food intake.

Vitamins for Hair Loss in Women

There are several vitamins for hair loss in women to choose from. Here are some of the most important ones.

- Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA)- This is a B-vitamin that has a crucial role in the metabolism of protein. It is also a known antioxidant that can help sweep the body clean of harmful free radicals. Its role in hair health seems to focus more on the restoration or maintenance of hair color. Along with some other vitamins for hair loss in women, this one helps prevent your hair from graying prematurely. PABA can be found in whole grain foods and liver.

- This Biotin- This is another member of the B-complex group of vitamins. It plays a role in fat, protein and carbohydrates metabolism. Just like PABA, it is also crucial for the maintenance of hair color. Moreover, it also promotes hair growth, strength and thickness. Various studies have shown that a deficiency in biotin can result in some hair loss. Vitamins for hair loss in women like biotin can be found in milk, whole grain, egg yolk and liver. This vitamin however can be destroyed by over heating and the process of canning so it is best to always eat fresh or take supplementation.

- B6 Vitamin - This powerhouse vitamin can work wonders on the immune, circulatory and nervous systems. Like other vitamins for hair loss in women belonging to the B-complex family, this one also helps maintain hair color and strength. This vitamin can be found in bananas, liver and avocados.

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Stop hair loss with the best vitamins for hair loss. Select the best vitamins for hair loss in women.