WHAT CAUSES HAIR THINNING AND HAIR LOSS?
Thinning hair and hair loss are two of the most common hair concerns faced by everyone. Now you must be thinking, aren’t they related? Yes, they are but both have completely different problems. Thinning hair means a decrease in the width of strands of the hair, while hair loss or hair fall means shedding away or breakage of the hair from root or scalp. Hair Thinning becomes more noticeable over time as you may notice lesser hair volume. We all naturally shed between 50 to 100 hairs a day – yes, really! – and you probably notice this most when you brush your hair, or even while in the shower when you wash it. Initially, this may cause you to panic – “my hair is falling out!” – but sometimes the hair loss is totally normal. Sometimes hair loss goes beyond the 50-100 mark because of external factors or thins over time as we age. So, if you're wondering what can cause hair thinning to be more prevalent, you've come to the right place to find out more. There are a few different possible causes, for hair loss and hair thinning, which we've broken down below to help you pinpoint the cause. We have also mentioned thinning hair remedies to help you manage thinning hair. So let’s begin.
A] SYMPTOMS OF THINNING HAIR AND HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN -
When it comes to symptoms, there are a lot of signs that foretell thinning hair and hair loss in women. For example, thinning of hair all over, the centre part of your head getting wider, hair thinning at the crown, itchy and flaky scalp, decreased volume and loss of hair on the scalp are some of the signs that you should be looking out for thinning hair. While gradually thinning hair, bald spots, sudden loosening of hair are some of the symptoms that are generally observed before hair loss in women.
B] CAUSES OF THINNING HAIR AND HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN -
Age is something that catches up to us all no matter what. As you get older, the width of the strand of your hair is reduced. This is one of the causes of thinning hair. Along with this, the amount of hair on your scalp is also reduced due to some follicles stopping to produce hair based on genes. Sometimes genes play an important role in determining the cause of hair loss in women. It’s a hereditary condition and usually happens gradually in predictive patterns such as - hair thinning at the crown for females.
2. Hormones:
Hormones are something that we all have to put up with for the long run. Later in life, we go through ‘the change’ otherwise known as menopause. This is another major reason for hair thinning in women, as the change can cause an increase in hair shedding because of lower levels of female hormones. Other major body changes, like pregnancy or sudden weight loss, can also trigger thinning hair or loss. During pregnancy, your estrogen levels increase, extending the life cycle of single hairs. But once you’ve given birth, your estrogen level falls again, ending the extended life of individual hair. These then eventually lead to your hair falling out, giving the feeling of extra hair loss, but it’s simply your hair returning to a pre-pregnancy state. This ‘normalization’ phase typically lasts several months, until your hair cycle is back to normal.
3. Stress and Health:
4. Hair damage and breakage:
It is very important that you nurture your hair and keep them as strong and healthy as possible. While colouring your hair, or heat styling does not cause thinning hair and hair loss directly, it’s still a major cause behind hair getting damaged easily these days. This happens because, for instance when you colour your hair, the chemical in your hair burns the protective layer of your hair, and if done regularly it leaves your hair strands thinner. Damage from colouring also leaves your hair more prone to breakage. Anything that damages your hair such as heat styling (curling, straightening, etc.) UV, chlorine, etc. can make your hair more fragile which leads to more breakage. In the worst cases, this becomes the reason for hair loss. But this is where your hair care routine can save you. For instance, you can make a big difference by using Pantene Open Hair Miracle before heat styling your hair as it creates a protective layer around your hair which prevents your hair from damage and gives you more open hair days!.
C] TIPS & TRICKS TO REDUCE HAIR THINNING & HAIR FALL -
Sharing a few tips & tricks that can help you reduce hair fall and maintain healthy hair
1. Using the Right Products:
2. Eating Healthy:
The habit of eating healthy will keep you and your hair happy in the long run, as the nutrient and vitamins that you eat are transferred to the follicles of your hair as well which keep your hair healthy. So, keep a close look at your diet as well. If you are still experiencing hair thinning issues, then one of the thinning hair remedies could be to use a supplement to tackle the root cause of the problem.
3. Trim Trim!:
Frequently trimming your hair does not make your hair re-grow faster but it does reduce the breakage by cutting the most fragile part of the hair - the ends. Also, a good haircut can adapt itself to thinner hair to make it look fuller, with more volume at the crown. Just ask your hairdresser to create a fuller look with more volume.