Prevention of hair loss

Causes and prevention

At the root of hair loss lie a variety of causes, from genetic factors to poor diet. Finding the reasons that are responsible for baldness in a particular case will not only allow for the determination of effective treatment, but also the use of prevention that will reduce hair loss in the future. The most common causes of hair loss include:

Chronic stress

One of the causes of hair loss is stress. In extreme cases, extreme stress can lead to complete hair loss. However, even less stress, which is chronic, can adversely affect the overall condition of the hair, weakening it and leading to thinning. How to prevent it? Sometimes the simplest solution is also the most difficult. To reduce the impact of stress on hair loss, it is best to hit the heart of the problem, i.e. eliminate stress or reduce it. For this purpose, it is worth using relaxation, gymnastics or outdoor activities. You can also help yourself with herbal preparations for calming down: lemon balm, valerian or chamomile. In some cases, meeting with a therapist will help to reduce stress levels.

Improper nutrition

Hair loss can be caused by poor nutrition. This is especially true for people who decide to follow an elimination diet, excluding one ingredient or a whole group of food products from their meals. These types of diets lead to nutrient deficiencies, which in turn leads to hair weakness and excessive hair loss. The key role in this case is played by deficiencies of: omega-3 acids, iron, B vitamins, vitamin D3 and protein. Thinning hair can also be the result of a very restrictive diet that causes significant weight loss. This can be prevented by focusing on proper nutrition and providing the body with all the substances it needs. In the case of a diet, it is worth taking care of proper supplementation, which will prevent deficiencies of nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the hair follicles. Absorption from the gastrointestinal tract may be responsible for hair loss. In this case, even the best balanced diet will not be able to provide the body with the nutrients that make hair strong and healthy. Absorption of nutrients and the production of some vitamins takes place in the intestines. If the intestinal microbiota is disturbed (dysbiosis), the patient will experience problems in the functioning of the digestive system, which may lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid, iron, zinc, magnesium, resulting in excessive hair loss. In addition, intestinal dysbiosis can lead to dermatoses of the scalp and inflammation. In this case, you should use the help of a specialist doctor who will suggest appropriate treatment.

Menopause

Excessive hair loss often accompanies menopause. This is due to hormonal changes in the female body. To counteract this, you should strive to balance the hormonal balance of the body. In addition, during menopause, it is worth taking care of a proper diet, rich in, among others, protein, vitamins B and E, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Taking testosterone

Taking testosterone accelerates and supports the muscle building process, but it causes various side effects. One of them is increased androgenetic alopecia in people who have a genetic predisposition to it. How does it happen? First of all, taking testosterone disrupts the body’s hormonal balance. In addition, in the case of androgenetic alopecia, excessive hair loss is caused by hypersensitivity to DHT, a derivative of testosterone. On the other hand, the effect of hypersensitivity to DHT is the miniaturization of the hair follicles, which leads to baldness.

Genetic predisposition to baldness

Genetic predisposition to baldness corresponds, among others, for: – androgenetic alopecia, – alopecia areata. Androgenetic alopecia is caused by hypersensitivity of the hair follicles to DHT, the active form of testosterone. As a result, the hair follicles shrink, which leads to hair loss even at a very young age. Alopecia areata, on the other hand, can occur in people who suffer from autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s disease or vitiligo.

Dry scalp

Dry scalp is more prone to hair loss. The condition known as dry skin can be caused by the use of inappropriate hair cosmetics and too frequent use of a dryer, curling iron or straightener. To prevent dry scalp, it is worth taking care of proper hydration. To do this, you need to properly hydrate the whole body, i.e. drink at least 2 liters of water every day. For this, you should follow a diet rich in nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, selenium and vitamins A and E. In addition, you should avoid cosmetics and hair styling devices that excessively dry the scalp. In addition, you can moisturize the scalp with home remedies, e.g. using linseed oil.

Significant oily scalp

An oily scalp can also be responsible for hair loss. To counteract this, proper hair and scalp care should be used, including: – washing hair as often as needed – the layer of sebum left on the head prevents oxygen from reaching the hair bulbs, which can lead to dandruff and hair loss, – use shampoos and hair conditioners that regulate the work of the sebaceous glands and contain moisturizing substances, – regularly exfoliate the epidermis with appropriate cosmetics for the scalp, – rinse the hair with lukewarm water, which narrows the sebaceous glands, thanks to which they will secrete less sebum. For this, you need to follow a proper diet. In addition, it is worth making sure that oily scalp is not the result of hormonal disorders that need to be compensated.