You’re not alone if you’ve been picking at the little details about losing your hair. Alopecia, sometimes known as hair loss, is a widespread condition that affects more than 80 million Americans.
So how can you tell if you’re losing more hair than usual?
Most adults lose roughly 100 hair strands every day on average. Most people won’t notice a difference because new strands are forming to replace the ones that have fallen out. However, alopecia may be present if fewer or no hairs reappear and you start to see a receding hairline or thinning regions.
Your hair on your head has a lifespan of between three and five years. dependable source A cycle of active growth, transition, and rest occurs in hair follicles. When the cycle of hair growth is disturbed, hair loss results.
The most frequent genetic factor in hair loss is aging, which makes it more prevalent in both men and women. Telogen effluvium is the second most frequent reason for this. More of your hair entering the rest cycle, when it sheds, causes this problem.
What are the cycles of hair growth?
Hair goes through three cycles:
The anagen phase (growing phase) can last from two years to eight years. This phase generally refers to about 85% to 90% of the hair on your head.
The catagen phase (transition phase) is the time that hair follicles shrink and takes about two to three weeks.
The telogen phase (resting phase) takes about two to four months. At the end of this phase, the hair falls out.
Methods to stop hair loss
1. Eat extra protein
Your daily protein intake may be insufficient, which can slow the growth of your hair. You might need to increase your protein intake, particularly if you’re vegan or vegetarian.
‘You require 40 to 60 grams per day,’ according to Dr. Bergfeld. ‘You don’t have to consume protein in the form of food; you can drink it.’
Other options for meeting your daily protein needs include Greek yogurt, eggs, and beans and lentils.
2. Take vitamins
To determine whether you are vitamin deficient, your doctor might run a number of tests on you. Your hair development may be impacted by a number of vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iron, and vitamins A, B, C, D, and E.
The supplement biotin forte with zinc, which supports the maintenance of healthy hair, skin, and muscular tissue, has proven to be effective when prescribed by Dr. Bergfeld.
3. Follow the Mediterranean diet
In comparison to other popular diets, eating fruits, vegetables, and protein—the major components of the Mediterranean diet—can be beneficial.
‘When you follow these stringent diets, you might lose weight.’ but Dr. Bergfeld predicts that you won’t be able to keep it off. And they frequently lack a component that your hair follicles want.
4. Use over-the-counter hair loss medication
The over-the-counter drug minoxidil, which aids in preventing hair loss, may be familiar to you. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug in a 5% strength, and it can be administered to your scalp as a solution or foam.
5. Try low-level laser light therapy
This latest method of promoting hair growth has FDA approval.
However, low-level laser light therapy equipment, such as wands and helmets, can take a lot of time and be quite expensive, with solutions costing anywhere between $200 and $1,000.
According to Dr. Bergfeld, it can stop skin inflammation and start hair growth. ‘It should be obvious. There are no medication interactions with you. There is no intolerance in you. The worst that can happen is a tiny bit of sunburn on your scalp, which can be treated with a simple lotion or even by shortening your exposure period.’
6. Maintain good hair and scalp care
Do not subject your hair to severe procedures like bleaching, hair colour, or heating tools. Your hair may also be affected by hairstyles like braids or tight ponytails. Washing your hair and scalp frequently will help keep your scalp healthy.
There are things you can do to prevent hair loss.
Wash as frequently as necessary, but no more. The volume and feel of your hair can be impacted by both under- and over-washing. Lack of washing results in a buildup of product and oil, which can make your hair greasy. However, regular washing can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it more dry and brittle. According to experts, you should continue washing two or three times a week and make adjustments as necessary for your particular circumstance.
After shampooing, use conditioner without fail. In addition to making your hair shinier, conditioner also helps to lower static electricity, which makes thinning hair appear fuller and glossier. But bear in mind that too much will weigh hair down; a little goes a long way.
Try leave-on products. Leave-in conditioners and detanglers help keep your hair moisturized throughout the day and protect against the effects of heat styling that otherwise can cause thinning and breakage.
Use hair masks to condition your hair deeply. An occasional deep-conditioning mask may be all your hair needs to regain its life and power if it is prone to being dry and brittle. These may also make hair appear glossier.
If you can, carefully style your hair without using heat. It’s vital to restrict or completely avoid heat styling because it can harm hair and cause shedding and breakage. Choose hairstyles for wearing your hair up that won’t put too much strain on your hair or scalp. When worn frequently or for a long time, certain hairstyles, such as tight braids, dreadlocks, and ponytails, can be extremely detrimental.