TORONTO, ONTARIO
Did you know that August is Hair Loss Awareness Month? Although hair loss is most associated with men, 40% of women suffer from it too. And lately, 65% of COVID 19 survivors reported hair loss weeks and months after their bout with the virus!
Nowadays, hair loss is not considered vanity, but a reality for most people.
Today I am sharing all I have learned so far with the hope that it can help you prevent or deal with it later on.
CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS
According to the American Hair Loss Association, these are the 7 causes of hair loss in both men and women:
- Genetics
- Hormones
- Medical Conditions
- Medications
- Diet and Nutrition
- Stress and Life Changing Events
- Improper Haircare
THE HAIRY FACTS
- We are born with the total amount of hair follicles we will ever have in our lifetime – a whopping 5 million all over our entire body! And our head has about 100,000 of them.
- Each individual strand of hair has its own independent hair cycle.
- Under normal conditions, hair follicles are 80% in a growing stage and 20% in a dormant stage, averaging 6 inches a year of growth for most people.
- Hair shedding is normal and occurs as a result of a natural hair cycle. Most people lose anywhere from 50-100 strands of hair per day. And on the days you wash your hair, you can lose up to 300 strands!
- Research shows that hair loss slows down in men after the age of 60. Some suffer marginal hair loss and thinning.
- Women with a genetic predisposition to hair loss find that the hair loss process that starts in menopause gets worse as they age and as they lose the protective hormone estrogen.
ENHANCED COLLAGEN, VIVISCAL HAIR SUPPLEMENTS, GUMMIES
LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT CAN HELP CURB HAIR LOSS
This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience*
HEALTH
If you are experiencing hair loss please seek the advice of a medical expert before it is too late. A proper evaluation of your blood, scalp and health is necessary to determine the cause and set up a treatment.
For those going through menopause, a family doctor may prescribe hormone therapy – a low estrogen patch that can help ease the signs of menopause and slow or maintain the hair loss. A naturopath may further explore causes and suggest a series of supplements that could include Omega 3, Probiotics and Vitamin D3.
For serious cases of hair loss, a dermatologist might suggest a topical treatment such as Minoxidil (Rogaine), oral medication (finasteride and dutasteride) and lastly, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy.
Suggested Reading: The Menopause Manifesto HERE and HERE
FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTS THAT PROMOTE HAIR GROWTH
A healthy diet and proper nutrition can help keep your hair strong, shiny and growing. Make sure you include them in your daily regimen.
- Iron – Red meat, eggs, leafy greens, nuts and seeds and whole grains
- Copper – Lentils, nuts and seeds, grass-fed beef, seafood and whole grains
- Zinc – Oysters, crab, lobster, meat and poultry, avocados, berries, cantaloup
- Fish Oils – Omega 3 – Salmon, tuna
- Vitamin C – Bell peppers, papaya, citrus fruits, broccoli and leafy greens
- Vitamin D – Fish, cod liver oil, egg yolk, mushroom, tofu, low fat dairy products and almond milk
- B Complex- Biotin and B5 – Egg yolk, oats, barley, legumes, sweet potato and mushrooms
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Another important factor in managing hair loss is taking care of higher levels of stress and focusing on mental well-being. One major cause of hair loss is the stress that comes with life changing events such as a surgery, childbirth, death of a loved one, job situation and more recently, Covid.
It is imperative we make lifestyle changes in order to manage stress and anxiety and curb hair fallout. Sleep, exercise and meditation are key, as well as deep breathing and keeping a gratitude journal.
Suggested Reading: How To Do You, The Ripple Effect, The Sweet Spot, The Power of Positive Thinking, The Happiness Project
PERSONAL CARE
Improper hair care is a big culprit in hair loss. Experts suggest taking better care of the scalp.
- Purchase better hair products, especially those free of harsh chemicals and additives
- Massage the scalp to increase circulation – get the perfect tool HERE
- Brush hair in a soft manner
- Ease up on tight ponytails, braids and buns
I hope you found this post informative. Please share with your friends and family whom are experiencing hair loss.
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To boost your nutrition:
For a meal that is rich in iron, try this tasty recipe HERE.
If you want a good, light summer recipe to increase protein, check out this easy to prep recipe HERE.
Thanks for reading! Have an awesome week!
XO, Lala
*This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your shopping convenience. This simply means that if you click on one of those links and then make a purchase, I may earn a small commission from the sale. This does not result in extra charges to you- or cost you anything additional. As always, I only recommend products I truly love. Thanks for your support!
Hair is like a plant that grows from a bulb. If the bulb is not planted deep enough, when the leaves come up, they will fall.
When testing hair for strength, there is little white knob at the end of the strand. This is the root. The root is attached to the focal. The nourishment comes through.the root to the folical.
If your hair is falling it could be that the root is not getting sufficient nourishment and the hair is putting weight on the root and therefore will fall.
So it may mean that the hair needs a cut until the root regains it’s strength.
Aloe Vera is one of the best treatments for falling hair as it contains protein, as well as all the other necessary ingredients for falling hair.
Thank you Gladys for your advice! It makes total sense! Definitely will trim hair a couple of inches and give aloe vera a try! Much appreciated!
Very important information about this issue that we all should be aware of it! thank you lalamedina!