Noticing that more hair is falling out than usual? Hair loss expert Dr. Omar shares five common causes and offers a proven solution.
For many of us, our hair is a big part of who we are. It’s estimated that around 8 million women in the UK deal with hair loss or thinning hair at some point. If you’re one of them and hesitant to talk about it, you’re not alone. Nearly half of the women with hair loss feel too embarrassed to discuss their symptoms.
Normally, we shed between 100 to 150 hairs a day, which is just a natural part of life. Our hair goes through three stages in its growth cycle: growth, transition, and resting. The growth phase, called the Anagen phase, is when most of our hair is actively growing and can last three to five years. Next is the Catagen phase, a transition period of one to two weeks where hair stops growing and detaches from the follicle. Finally, the Telogen phase is when about 10-15% of our hair rests before shedding, taking three to four months.
If you’re losing much more hair than usual and it’s not growing back, it’s time to pay attention. Hair loss can show up in different ways, appearing suddenly or gradually and affecting the scalp to varying degrees. All types of hair loss, or alopecia, disrupt the natural Hair Growth Cycle, causing more hair to shed and regrow weaker.
Lots of products claim to help with hair loss but fall short. Understanding the main causes of hair loss can guide you towards effective solutions. Here are five common causes:
1. Genetics: Hereditary hair loss, known as male- or female-pattern hair loss, is the top cause. It’s a gradual reduction in hair volume, leading to receding hairlines and bald spots in men or thinning hair in women. Genetic hair loss is linked with Proteoglycans, molecules essential for hair growth. Rebalancing these Proteoglycans through specific therapies can help restore the hair growth cycle.
2. Hormonal Imbalances: Both men and women have testosterone, which the body converts to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of DHT cause hair follicles to shrink, leading to hair loss. This is often called androgenic alopecia and is more pronounced in women going through menopause or with conditions like PCOS.
3. Stress: High stress levels can lead to hair loss. Stress causes inflammation in the body and raises cortisol levels, which can increase hair shedding and slow regrowth. Managing stress is crucial to maintaining healthy hair.
4. Medication: Some treatments for conditions such as cancer, high blood pressure, arthritis, and depression can cause hair loss. This happens because these medications interfere with the hair growth cycle, leading to early hair shedding or halting hair growth temporarily.
5. Pregnancy: Pregnancy hormones can either thicken your hair or cause it to fall out, especially in the first trimester due to stress on the body. Postpartum, about half of women experience significant hair shedding, but this usually resolves as hormone levels stabilize.
If you’re dealing with excessive hair loss, it’s worth consulting your doctor or looking into treatments that replace essential hair growth molecules, such as Proteoglycan Replacement Therapy. Products like Nourkrin, which contains the fish extract Marilex rich in Proteoglycans, have shown positive results in clinical trials. Many women have reported significant improvements in hair growth and quality after a few months of using Nourkrin.
In summary, various factors from genetics and hormonal imbalances to stress and medication can disrupt the Hair Growth Cycle and lead to hair loss. Understanding these causes can help guide you towards effective treatments, bringing you closer to healthier, fuller hair.
