Hair Shedding - Everything You Need to Know
The hair on your head is constantly shedding and regrowing. It is the job of hair follicles to synthesize keratin on the surface of your scalp to make hair and keep pushing it out of the skin - which is what makes it grow.
The average number of hair on any humans head is around 100,000 strands, and out of the number, humans shed about an average of 100 strands of hair every single day. It is not alarming to see that many hair in your brush every morning. That being said, if you are experiencing hair shedding that looks heavier than this number, there could be other causes related to your hair shedding. Let us shed some light on the reasons why hair shedding occurs.
Why Does Hair Shedding Occur?
Ranging from lifestyle-related to medical reasons, there are numerous causes working independently or in tandem that could be causing excessive shedding. Here are a few of the major reasons for hair shedding.
Sudden Weight Loss - When you lose weight, the stress mechanics of your body are automatically triggered, causing a condition called Telogen Effluvium - which temporarily inactivates your hair follicles due to a reduction in the body mass index. This can cause hair fall and delay the regrowth of new hair, making your hair look thinner.
Pregnancy - Pregnancy puts a lot of stress on the womans body for the purpose of providing nutrients to the fetus in the womb. The strain may sometimes result in Telogen Effluvium, causing hair shedding. You may not notice your hair thinning immediately - rather, in two to four months time, you may realize your hair has thinned out. This type of hair shedding is temporary and lasts only about 6 months, so typically, there is nothing to worry about.
Medical reasons - There are certain medical conditions and/or diseases that trigger excessive hair loss in people. Diseases like thyroid or conditions like alopecia areata cause dramatic thinning of hair or patchy baldness. It is necessary to address these medical conditions to stop hair fall. Otherwise, the baldness could become permanent.
Undergone surgery or operated upon - If you have been through surgery or were operated upon, the chances are that you are being given lots of antibiotics for proper healing. Strong drugs that help your body fight infections may shock your follicles and result in hair shedding.
However, there is little need to be disheartened, for there are ways that you can try to control your hair shedding.
How To Control/Manage Hair Shedding?
You will invariably lose about 100 strands each day, as the hair must shed. However, to ensure that you do not end up losing any more hair than necessary, here are a few tips and tricks to help.
Diet care - The only real thing that majorly impacts hair health is your diet. Meals enriched with healthy proteins, vitamins and minerals ensure to keep your hair health at its optimum in the long run. Instead of opting for overnight hair-improvement gimmicks, go for the long-haul option of eating healthy. Try incorporating health supplements to help get an adequate amount of nutrients in your body.
Hair treatment - Hair treatments that involve the usage of chemicals close to or on the scalp (such as hair color), or those that involve excessive heat for styling, may cause strand and follicle damage. Prolonged usage may not only permanently impact hair quality but also impact growth and thickness. It is, therefore, recommended to consult your dermatologist for prescribing safe and effective hair care regime and treatments to you for controlling excessive hair loss.
Lifestyle - Incorporating meditation, exercise, and a healthy circadian rhythm into your lifestyle works wonders for hair health. Habits like smoking and drinking in excess are also the primary causes of follicle damage. Fixing your lifestyle is the first step to take to fix your hair.
Hair products - Certain hair products (conditioners, masks, serums, or leave-ins) are composed of harmful chemicals that, when in contact with the scalp, may cause irreversible damage. They may impair hair growth permanently. Always check for chemicals before you purchase.
When to See a Doctor?
While losing some hair every day is quite normal, there are certain warning signs to heed when experiencing hair shedding:
Shedding of eyebrow hair or eyelash hair as well (it could indicate disease)
Patchy baldness (it could indicate alopecia)
Itchy scalp (could indicate scalp infections)
When you notice your hair shedding accompanied by these symptoms, it is time to call your dermatologist
Conclusion
Hair shedding is quite a normal phenomenon. Old hair must shed for the newer, better ones to grow - it is a healthy, evergreen cycle. However, sometimes there are problems in the hair cycle that cause unnaturally heavy shedding. In such times, make sure to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
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Female Pattern Baldness - Causes & Treatments
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What Are The Reasons For Hairfall?
Almost everyone experiences some amount of hair thinning over the years. Shedding around 50 to 100 single strands of hair per day is considered normal. However, losing more than 150 strands a day, experiencing sudden thinning, or developing circular bald patches on your scalp are reasons for concern. Hair loss occurs when new hair doesn’t grow fast enough to replace the amount of hair you lose daily. Hair can fall due to various reasons, with hereditary hair loss and poor nutrition being the most common hair fall reasons.
Expert Approved Tips For Hair Growth
What can be more debilitating than seeing hundreds of hair strands shedding from your scalp every time you brush your hair? Also, excessive molting occurs during seasonal changes that can be very stressful for you. Although it’s okay to lose between 50-100 strands every day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, the problem occurs when you start shedding more than normal. But that doesn’t mean you have to feel helpless as there are ways to grow your hair back. Even if you are coping with baldness or alopecia, certain hair growth tips from dermatologists can come to your rescue. Read on to discover how these tips can be your savior when abnormal hair fall problems are in sight.
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