Losing some hair is completely normal, with the average person having 80 strands fall out every day. If you are losing significantly more than that, or have noticed that what you are losing isn’t growing back, these tips can help you get back to looking and feeling at your best.
Hair loss can happen for a number of different reasons and affects 1 in 3 women at some point in their lifetime. If you would like personal advice, why not book an appointment at our Exeter hairdressers, our team will listen to your concerns and recommend ways to disguise hair loss and help restore your volume.
1. Nutritional Deficiencies
While having beautiful hair is very important to us, our bodies don’t see hair growth as a top priority. If you have a nutritional deficiency this will first show up in your hair, as your body prioritises the functions it considers to be essential and stops using valuable nutrients on things it considers unimportant.
If you aren’t getting enough iron you will not be able to produce enough hair cell protein, which is needed for healthy hair growth. Another common deficiency associated with hair loss is vitamin B12, which affects the health of the red blood cells which carry oxygen to your tissues.
Signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency include feeling tired and low in energy. This deficiency is most common in vegans due to animal proteins being the main source of vitamin B12. Dramatic weight loss (whether intended or not) can also lead to excess hair loss in the 6-12 weeks after.
How To Fix It
Hair is made from protein, so upping the amount of protein you consume will promote healthy hair growth. Make sure you eat a palm sized portion of protein at least twice a day, at two different mealtimes.
Hair needs energy in order to grow and stay healthy. Complex carbohydrates are a great source of energy and include fresh fruit, crudites, or whole wheat crackers. Snacking on these foods is a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals.
Boost your vitamin and mineral levels by taking a supplement. Look for one which contains iron, vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin D3, copper, zinc, selenium, and the essential amino acids, L-Lysine and L-Methionine. If you are a vegan you may benefit from taking a dedicated vitamin B12 supplement or including more vegan sources of B12 in your diet.
2. Stress
Stress can affect your body in many different ways. It can raise levels of androgens (male hormones) which are associated with hair loss, and lead to to dandruff, digestive issues, and disrupted eating habits. Skipping meals or not fully digesting food can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which as we have already seen can slow down hair growth and lead to hair which naturally falls out not being replaced.
How To Fix It
If your stress has now resolved itself, and you are eating healthily and back into your normal routine, you may not need to do anything. Your hair growth will get back to normal and any loss will become less noticeable over time.
Treating yourself to a relaxing head massage is the perfect way to take your mind off of what is causing you stress. This will also stimulate blood flow to the scalp, and the use of oils will strengthen and protect your hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth. At our hairdressers in Exeter we always treat our customers to a relaxing head massage while washing their hair.
3. Age
As we get older, our hair naturally starts to become thinner and finer. If you are going through or are about to enter menopause, you may start to notice some changes to your hair. While entering a new stage of life can bring up many different feelings, your hair starting to look and feel slightly different is totally normal and nothing to worry about.
How To Fix It
Check out our tips on how to embrace grey hairs and keep your hair looking and feeling amazing as you enter your next stage of life.
If you fancy trying a new look, our stylists at our hair salon in Exeter can recommend a style which will make your hair look more voluminous and bouncy. Book an appointment online or pop in and see us.
4. Hormonal Imbalances
If your hormones or thyroid are out of balance, this effects of this can impact your whole body, including your hair. Hormones play a large role in regulating the cycle of hair growth. Female hormones (oestrogens) help to keep hairs in the ‘growth phase’ for an optimum amount of time, whereas male hormones (androgens) can shorten the hair growth cycle.
An excess of androgens (which can be caused by conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) can lead to hair loss, especially if you have a genetic predisposition to follicle sensitivity.
How To Fix It
If you suspect that a hormonal imbalance or thyroid issue is behind your hair loss, make an appointment with your GP. They can run tests and advise on any necessary treatment.
5. Traction
Hair loss due to traction is very common in Afro hair. This is caused by the repeated pulling which is applied to the follicles when the hair is being put into hairstyles such as braids and dreadlocks.
Hair loss due to traction can also occur when hair is often worn in a tight ponytail or updo. If this is the reason for your hair loss it will mostly be in the areas where your hair is under the most strain.
How To Fix It
Give your hair a break from hairstyles which place pressure on your hair and hair follicles. It may be worth avoiding any heavy styling creams and serums for a while as these can add extra weight to your hair.
It is also worth steering clear of using relaxers and hair dye as your hair recovers. Our stylists at our Exeter hair salon have experience of dealing with all different types of hair and can recommend a style to make the most of your new natural look.
Don’t Forget…
Whatever the reason for your hair loss, it will take a bit of time for your hair to recover. Eat a balanced diet, commit to keeping your hair and scalp healthy, and be patient. Due to how the hair growth cycle works it will take at least 6 weeks to see an improvement.
hair growth cycle works it will take at least 6 weeks to see an improvement.
If you are still concerned, or if your hair loss is getting worse, speak to your GP. If you want to add volume to your hair by switching up your style, book an appointment at our hairdressers in Exeter.