Why Did Your Hair Get Thinner?
So, you have noticed that your hair has become thinner. Do not soothe yourself with guesses about the impact of weather or changing seasons. Thinning hair can signal the beginning of its loss. Therefore, you should determine why it is no longer thick and solve the problem as long as it is not too late.
The reason for thin hair: genetics
Look at your mother’s or grandmother’s hair. Is their hair still thick? If not, then your hair also has many chances to get thin with age.
What is the solution? You can hardly influence heredity. However, you can partly slow down the process with proper care, good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Read more: almost all the following tips will help you.
Iron deficiency
Do you have signs of anemia? These include weakness and fatigue that appear constantly and without any apparent reason, often right in the morning, as well as pale skin. The blood does not have enough red blood cells that deliver oxygen throughout the body. Low levels of iron block the vital enzyme associated with hair strength. So, if you have anemia, you can suffer not only hair thinning, but also hair loss.
Not only pregnant women are at risk, but so are vegetarians and dieters who eat little meat products, which are rich in iron.
What is the solution? Do a blood test to make sure that you lack iron. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe iron supplements, a proper dose of which can cope with the problem. To help the nutrition of cells and hair follicles, supplement your daily diet with foods rich in iron. They are red and orange fruits and vegetables, green leafy vegetables (cabbage, spinach), black beans, buckwheat, pomegranate juice. And note that you will need several months for iron levels to return to normal.
Stress
Long-term emotional or physiological stress can disrupt the normal cycle of hair growth and development, because of which the hair will stop regenerating. As a result, much hair will be withering away, you will lose more and more, and the rest will get thinner.
What is the solution? Think about your life in the last 3-6 months. Unhealthy diet, stress at work, breakup with a loved one or family problems – there are so many reasons that can make you lose your balance. If something like that happened, it could cause hair thinning. However, there is good news: this reason is only temporary. As soon as you get back to the calm and happy state, the hair follicles will return to the correct cycle, the new hair will grow more dense and elastic.
Lack of protein
Protein is known to be the building blocks for hair. However, hair (like nails) is supplied with nutrients on leftovers. Therefore, if the body lacks protein, it will stock the nutrient only for itself, leaving nothing for the hair follicles. When the diet includes little protein, hair begins to suffer first, as hair follicles enter the phase of rest more often than usual.
What is the solution? Protein bar is not a way out. You need a comprehensive approach. Adult women need about 46 grams of protein a day, while pregnant and lactating women require at least 71 grams per day. Your daily diet should include meat, fish, or dairy products. Vegetarians need to include protein into their diet as well: legumes, whole grains, nuts, and eggs.
Vitamin imbalance
Excessive consumption of multivitamins and biologically active additives (BAAs) can backfire. It is important not to go too far with supplements containing vitamin A. Excess of this vitamin leads to hair loss. At the same time, you should closely monitor the amount of vitamin D. A lack of this vitamin leads to worsening of hair quality.
What is the solution? Include fortified milk, orange juice, and salmon into your daily diet – they ensure the required daily dose of vitamin D. Be careful with vitamin A, read the labels of your vitamin complexes: if you take two, vitamin A should be contained only in one of them.
Styling
Vigorous hair manipulations when combing and styling leads to its weakening. Numerous chemical treatments, like perming and hair straightening also make the situation worse. It is also important to limit the frequency of hot hair drying.
What is the solution? Apply hair conditioner at each hair washing and use hot styling tools only once a week. Let you hair rest from styling products as often as possible. Do not comb wet hair, start combing dry hair from the ends up.
Scalp diseases
Poor hygiene of the scalp makes it a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. The scalp can suffer any skin problems that affect other skin areas, such as psoriasis, dermatitis, sunburn, etc. Besides, there are problems that are specific to the scalp – for example, seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff).
What is the solution? If you suffer itching, peeling, redness, scalp irritation, it is a signal that you need to see a dermatologist urgently. Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair thinning or even alopecia. If the itching and dryness are not caused by a fungal infection, try head massage. You should massage the scalp with hair oil containing tea tree, rosemary or ylang-ylang oil – these components will help soothe the scalp. A regular massage (3 minutes before every wash) helps nutrients to get into the follicle, where hair cells are produced, and increases blood flow to the scalp.
Menopause
After menopause, about 40% of women suffer hair thinning. It is caused by fluctuating hormone levels, high levels of stress, vitamin deficiencies and a genetic predisposition to hair loss, characteristic of this age.
What is the solution? See a specialist. Sometimes it is enough to take a good vitamin complex with biotin, or you may be prescribed injections that strengthen hair follicles.
Diseases
Immunity disorders are also to blame for the problem of hair thinning. Autoimmune diseases occur not as rarely as it seems. In fact, alopecia (hair loss) also has an autoimmune nature. Another group at risk is women with thyroid diseases. If thyroid hormone levels are too low (hypothyroidism) or too high (hyperthyroidism), it is immediately reflected in hair condition.
What is the solution? A therapist can diagnose you. You may need to do some blood tests to reveal an autoimmune disease or thyroid gland disorder. You may be treated with local medications to help against hair thinning and hair loss, or with hormone-regulating drugs.
