Why you're losing your hair and what you can do about it.
Although hair loss is typically thought of as we age or as a man’s problem, but it’s actually just as common (if not more) in women—and women are now starting to notice changes in their 20s. Hair loss can be very traumatic, especially in 20-30 year old women who notice a change may be particularly distressing. "Fear not -Informed Beauty..." Let's take a look at the number of causes and a range of solutions that can help.
The science of thinning and hair loss is still largely misunderstood. There is more evidence that a hormone called DHT is responsible. Both men and women have it. Alopecia hair loss is thought to be pathogen related.
Over time, an excess build-up of DHT in the follicle causes it to begin shrinking, which changes the natural resting and growth phases of the hair. DHT builds up around your hair roots like wax.
Some of the follicles eventually die and others become incapable of producing or maintaining healthy hair growth, resulting with hair loss.
First, define your symptoms: Is your hair shedding (more hair is falling out when you brush it or in the shower) or thinning (you notice more of your scalp showing)?
Some of the most common causes of shedding—technically called telogen effluvium—include a shock to your body (a serious illness, pregnancy or going on a crash diet), a stressful situation (you lost your job or experienced the death of a loved one), starting a new medication (anti-depressants and birth control can affect your hair) or a change in eating patterns (going vegetarian can result in not consuming enough protein). Pressure, major life changes and poor eating are hallmarks of a maturing womens lifestyle.
Trauma ........fallout 3 months later.
Because of your hair growth cycle, it usually takes 3-6 months after a very stressful event or time period for one to notice the shedding, says Maria Hordinsky, M.D., chair of the department of dermatology at the University of Minnesota and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology. So if you were laid off in January or lost a lot of weight that month, your hair may not start falling out until April or May. The good news is that shedding is completely reversible in most cases.
“As soon as you notice hair changes, look at a calendar and think back to what happened within the past six months."
Use these techniques to combat shedding:
- Patience. It can take up to a year for your hair to normalize. Bottom line: Once you identify and change the stressor, try not to freak out. Give it some time and let your hair grow back in naturally. By changing daily habits and stress reduction, you will be better able to cut down the added stress on your hair. This may take some tim, but it takes you making serious personal changes as well.
- The right shampoo and wash as normal. A startled reaction to seeing more hair in the shower drain is to wash it less often, “but there’s no evidence between shedding and hair care practices. In fact, using a natural/organic shampoo with gentle cleansing and nourishing ingredients will help maintain a healthy scalp. Gentle and chemical free/non-clogging hair products are one of the best ways to promote hair growth.
- Don’t be afraid to color- Ammonia Free -of course! Most likely hair loss is internal, although using ammonia free color brands free of PPD, Resorcinal, and MEA are key. You do not want high acidity on the scalp, nor do you want to shock the follicle to fast - resulting in more sheding. Kasia Organic Salon offers the safest Ammonia Free Color line on the market.
- Re-assess your pills. High levels of vitamin A can be associated with hair loss. Biotin, Iron, Omega Fatty Acids, and other herbal blends can be very beneificial in kick-starting your hair and skin growth cycles.
If your scalp is more visible than it used to be, it means your hair is thinning and the problem is likely female pattern hair loss (or alopecia). Unfortunately, this situation is genetic and there’s not much you can do to reverse it. But you can slow down the changes.
Styling for Hair Loss: Part your hair on the side instead of down the center, wear it back in a loose ponytail or high bun without a part. Keep the cut blunt with a possible bang to break up the shape. Color your hair so it more closely matches your scalp color.