Regardless of gender, hair is considered a symbol of identity, beauty, confidence, and strength. Due to environmental factors, genetics, and hormonal changes, many people go through the distressing experience of hair thinning.
A person’s hair loss experience may begin as a gradual shedding of hair and eventually lead to noticeable bald patches, which can affect confidence and self-esteem. So, one must take the hair-thinning seriously from the beginning stage itself so that it will be easier to take control of the condition.
Hair thinning is a multifaceted problem that can stem from various factors. Before delving into the strategies to prevent hair thinning, it is crucial to understand the causes it.
What Are The Top 6 Reasons For Hair Thinning?
Hair thinning is a visible reduction in hair density, which can lead to reduced hair growth and less volume. There are varied reasons for the thinning of hair. Some of the major and more general causes of hair thinning include
1. Genetics
One of the most common causes of hair loss is genetics. In this case, aging plays a crucial role. Hereditary hair thinning gets worse with aging. It is called androgenic alopecia, male or female pattern baldness.
2. Hormonal Changes
Pregnancy, childbirth, thyroid conditions, or menopause can lead to hormonal changes. Fluctuating hormone levels are another chief culprit of hair loss. Considering thyroid treatments and a balanced diet can control hair loss caused by hormonal changes.
3. Stress
Stress and anxiety can lead to severe hair fall and thinning of hair. Emotional and physical stress can hinder the natural hair growth cycle and lead to excessive shedding. Hair thinning caused by stress is often a temporary issue but if one suffers from chronic stress disorders, it can make the situation worse.
4. Excessive Chemical Treatments
Hair treatment is often an overlooked factor in hair loss. Excessive styling that involves heating, chemical treatments, and the use of hair extensions can sometimes damage the hair beyond the level of repair.
5. Environmental Factors
Harsh weather, UV radiation, exposure to excessive sunlight, pollution, dust, and hard water contribute to the weakening of hair roots and excessive shedding.
6. Poor Scalp Health
Severe dandruff, inflammation, and skin conditions like psoriasis will also lead to poor hair health and eventual hair thinning.
Familiarizing the various reasons for hair thinning is the first step to positively approach hair loss issues.
Symptoms of hair thinning
Once you understand the factors behind the condition, the next step is obviously finding out whether you have the symptoms of hair loss. Some of the common symptoms of hair thinning are the following.
- Thinning of hair at the crown or broadening of the part of hair. The thinning will be noticeable at this stage.
- Excessive shedding of hair while styling, washing, or brushing.
- Increase in the visibility of the scalp due to widening and decreased coverage.
- Hair will become brittle, finer, and extremely soft.
- Sudden appearance of bald patches in several spots of the scalp.
- Scalp tenderness, itching, or irritation
These symptoms may vary from person to person and some may experience one or many symptoms at the same time. However, in some cases, these symptoms may not necessarily indicate any sort of hair-thinning. A professional will be able to diagnose and offer effective treatment for hair loss.
How do I prevent hair thinning?
It is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs in a day; it is quite natural and unnoticeable. Hair thinning or loss occurs when new hairs stop replacing the fallen ones.
One must take a comprehensive approach to reduce hair thinning. It should address internal and external factors contributing to poor hair health. Here are some of the best ways to prevent hair thinning.
✔️ A balanced diet
A diet that incorporates nutrient-rich foods, including vitamin E, iron, vitamin B, zinc, vitamin C, and protein, will help to regain luscious hair. Fruits, veggies, lean meat, whole grains, and healthy fats are some of the food sources of these nutrients.
✔️ Drink Water
Staying hydrated will provide hair follicles with essential minerals and cultivate a healthy environment for hair regrowth. Drinking plenty of water can also help to nourish the body.
✔️ Avoid Over styling
Reduce heat treatments, chemical bleaching, coloring, and perming. Heat produced by curling irons, blow dryers, and straighteners will lead to dry and brittle hair. Other chemical treatments can damage your scalp’s health.
✔️ Manage Stress
Practicing stress-reduction methods such as yoga, meditation, and regular cardio exercises will help reduce stress and anxiety. If you have any kind of stress disorder, consulting a mental health professional will also help.
✔️ Gentle Washing and Brushing
Be gentle with the hair, and avoid using harsh shampoo and conditioner. Do not resort to vigorous scrubbing or rubbing while washing your hair. Always use a wide-toothed comb to detangle the hair.
✔️ Consult a Healthcare Professional
If you have severe hair thinning problems or the condition gets worse even after taking preventive measures, consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional to diagnose the underlying causes of hair loss.
Applying these preventive strategies can reduce hair thinning and help to maintain the vitality and strength of the hair.
Conclusion
Hair thinning is indeed a serious issue faced by many individuals that can have a significant impact on physical and mental health. Various factors lead to the issue of hair thinning; however, understanding the causes and taking adequate preventive measures can successfully address this common hair health issue.
References
- Alopecia areata. (2021).
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/alopecia-areata - Bryant E. (2021). How stress causes hair loss.
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-stress-causes-hair-loss - Babadjouni A, et al. (2021). The effects of smoking on hair health: A systematic review.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34307472/
