Summertime can have a nasty habit of making us sit and notice. We suddenly have a new self awareness. Wintertime can have a definite adverse affect on both your hair and skin. This is aggravated by an over indulgence of rich nurturing foods, caffeine and alcohol. It sometimes takes spring creeping over the windowsill to give you that extra wake up call, and a new self awareness.
It is during this time that your old summer wardrobes may look sad, due to extra poundage gained over the hibernation season. Skin may appear dry, and your hair can appear to seem limp and lifeless and in extreme cases hair loss may be apparent.
Hair loss in women is becoming more prominent, and this has persuaded doctors to take a closer look at the problem. It has been proven that poor diet can play a big part in promoting hair loss, especially in women, whom already have to contend with hormone in balances, which also contribute to hair loss.
What Causes Hair Loss in Women
DHT
95% of hair loss in women is cause by androgentic Alopecia ( female pattern baldness). This may be inherited from your parents. What causes the hair loss in this condition is a chemical called DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is hormone that all men and women produce).
People that make more DHT have a lot of the enzyme called 5_alpha reductase. An excess of DHT may cause hair follicles to the hair become increasingly thinner, until the follicle will eventually stop producing hair at all. The baldness will be predominantly over the front and sides of the head and not in the crown area as with men. This will get worse with menopause.
A women’s biochemistry if often out of balance, and this along with poor diet can create a toxic environment and unacceptable amounts of copper and salt in the system.
Oily Hair
As hair thins the sebaceous gland that secreted sebum the hairs natural oil, will stay the same size and continue to produce the same amount of oil. This can make thinning hair overly oily, flat and lifeless. This makes frequent shampooing vital for hair loss cases with oily scalps. Sebum also contains DHT which can clog pores and deter healthy hair growth.
Hormones
Hormonal changes are a common cause of female hair loss. After a pregnancy, or when taking birth control pills, many women experience hair thinning to varying degrees, but only on a temporary basis. While a woman is pregnant, and hormonal changes are occurring, more hair follicles enter the growth phase than normal. About two to three months after childbirth, the normal hair cycle returns and many hairs re-enter the resting phase, which causes excessive shedding to occur. If the condition does not change after six months, a woman may be experiencing hereditary hair thinning or maybe be lacking in certain nutrients to an unbalanced diet.
Unbalanced Diet
What you eat is reflected in the health of your hair. Your hair as well as your body needs a balanced, nutritious diet to stay healthy. Making a conscious decision to eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables that are loaded with vitamins and anti oxidants is essential. Whist, whole grains, nuts and seeds will provide minerals and vitamins. A lean protein will add sufficient iron to the diet and a fortified cereal breakfast will complete the nutritional pyramid. Of course drinking plenty of purified water will give your hair maximum hydration. Eating organic, will help deter the body from becoming toxic, especially from copper, and steering clear of processed foods will prevent a high sodium intake.
Salt and Copper Wreak Havoc
Unhealthy tissue concentrations of copper, can cause hair loss. These amounts would be below 1.7milligrams or above 3.5 milligrams. Copper toxicity can vary from person to person, and can depend on the individuals metabolism and diet. Vegetarians for example are not always able to retain copper, which means they are more susceptible to hair loss.
How Does Copper Get into Our System
Drinking water that comes from old copper pipes is prime. Also the food that we eat. For instance copper can be included in animals diets which in turn is then passed on in our daily regime. It is also not uncommon for farmers to incorporate copper into their anti-fungal and algae sprays. Birth control such as the pill and IUD both use copper, making women more susceptible to copper imbalances. Swimmers are also at risk due to a popular algaecide used in pool water.
Salt Savvy
It is common knowledge that too much sodium or salt is not good for us, but even if we are salt savvy and do what’s best by avoiding salt our bodies can still produce too much sodium due to too much stress, which will naturally increase sodium retention.
What to Advise!
If you have a client suffering with hair loss, it might be a good idea to mention the above and advise the following:
Drink Bottled Water
Avoid foods high in copper, such as milk, chocolate, oysters, nuts, high fat meats and salmon. Avoid salt and eat a low sodium diet ( steering clear of processed foods is a good idea as they tend to be high in sodium.)
Try to stay stress free. If a stressful lifestyle is on the agenda, then relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation will help to reduce sodium levels.
Other Causes of Excessive Hair Loss
You should normally shed on average between 80-100 hairs each day, however any more than this and you might want to re-think your diet or lifestyle. Chemical treatments done incorrectly, or excessive pulling on the hair due to over tight ponytails or braids, are also likely to cause hair loss. If you follow a healthy lifestyle or do not fall into any of these categories and you are still experiencing hair loss, you may want to consult with your doctor or trichologist. As a more serious health problem may be the cause!
The Author:
Diana Dudas G.C.H.S.R.H. is an expert with more than 28 years experience in the beauty industry. She has answered over 2000 questions for allexperts.com and has had her work published in many well-respected beauty magazines both online and off.
© Copyright 2004 Diana Dudas
Now I’m suffering from hair loss problems at present. According to your above causes of hair loss in women. Oily hair is main reason caused to hair loss. 2 years ago I found myself oily hair and didn’t take seriously, just used some organic shampoos to remove oil. Although in the beginning of using it, it just lasted a few days. Oily hair was surrounding me. I think I will see a doctor to solve this problem.
I’m sorry to hear about your hair loss problem. Oily hair can indeed contribute to hair loss, so it’s a good idea to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Hi am experiencing hair loss for years can u help with some guide line and recipe that can help my hair to grow back thank u much
I understand how frustrating and concerning hair loss can be. While I’m not a doctor, there are some general guidelines that might help improve hair growth. Make sure you eat a balanced diet, rich in vitamins and minerals, and consider incorporating hair-friendly foods like salmon, eggs, spinach, and nuts. You could also try using hair growth-promoting ingredients like castor oil or rosemary oil in your hair care routine. However, it’s always best to consult with a professional for personalized advice.
If you are a woman wondering why your hair is falling out, then there are several reasons. Physical trauma such as car accidents, surgery or even a severe illness can result in temporary hair loss problem in women. Women lose hair during pregnancy. At times overdoing your Vitamin A supplements can trigger hair fall. Other reason why, you may be losing hair includes lack of protein, hormone changes, and anemia. My aunt is fighting hair loss problem because of low Vitamin B level. Sometimes sudden weight loss can mean you are undergoing a physical trauma. This can also result in thinning in which Canadianhair.ca can help you to recover from hair loss. Although weight loss is good for your well- being it often indicates you are stressing your body and not eating right. Mineral and vitamin deficiencies can affect your hair growth. Women should also avoid over-styling and using chemical based hair products to fight hair fall.
How about losing hair because you’ve reached menopausal stage? What would be the reason? When I was in my younger years, my hair has said to be my asset, perhaps, a crowning glory but lately, as I combed my hair, I noticed that there were large clumps of hair in the brush which was very bothering. If we talk about lifestyle, I am pretty sure that it ain’t the cause since I am very particular of what I eat. So, I assumed that it’s because of my menopausal period. A month of taking garlic supplements, hence, I might observe that my hair growth back because of the high level of allicin.
Hair loss during menopause is indeed a common concern for many women. Hormonal changes during this stage can affect hair growth. While garlic supplements may have some potential benefits, it’s always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for proper guidance and to explore other options that may be available to you.
Hi Carol, you’re absolutely right, hair loss in women can be caused by various factors. It’s important to address any physical trauma, hormone imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies that may be contributing to your hair loss. Consulting with a healthcare professional, like a doctor or a trichologist, is a great step towards finding a solution.
Yes,I believe that a unbalanced diet contributes to it and lack of exercise
It’s true that an unbalanced diet and lack of exercise can impact overall health, including hair health. Ensuring you have a nutritious diet that includes all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy hair growth, along with regular exercise, can help improve hair health. However, it’s important to note that hair loss can have various causes, so it’s recommended to seek professional advice for a comprehensive assessment.
Good article except for the misinformation on salt. I use Himalayan sea salt to support adrenal health. Salt is an essential nutrient. Table salt is junk but natural salt is absolutely essential.
Thank you for your input! While it’s true that natural salt can be beneficial for adrenal health, the article was referring to excessive sodium intake from processed foods and its potential negative impact on hair health. It’s always important to strive for a balanced and varied diet to support overall well-being.
When my hair got dry, it starting falling out also! I was freaking out, went to my doctor – it turns out the shampoo I was buying from the supermarket was drying out my hair. I started losing patches !! I started using the Somaluxe Shampoo and Conditioner – I bought it online – its like Paradise Lime smelling – and it has all these hydrating ingredients.
After 2 weeks of using the Somaluxe Shampoo, my hair was NOT dry anymore. . .and after about a month, I noticed alot of the missing hair patches were growing back in. YOU MUST NOT USE ANY SHAMPOO THAT DRIES YOUR HAIR OR IT WILL FALL. Thats what happen to me. Good luck !
Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s great that you found a shampoo that worked well for you and helped improve the condition of your hair. It’s true that using products specifically designed to hydrate and nourish the hair can make a positive difference in overall hair health.
Luckily, for most of these issues, the hair grows back or the loss can be reversed with medical treatments. But it is important to see a dermatologist if there seems to be something wrong, because the sooner treatment is started, the better the chances are for improving your growing season.
Absolutely, seeking medical advice from a dermatologist is crucial if you notice any concerning changes in your hair. They can help determine the underlying cause of hair loss and recommend appropriate treatments. Early intervention can often lead to better outcomes, so it’s essential to address any issues promptly.