Hair grows everywhere on the human skin except on the palms of our hands and the soles of our
feet, but many hairs are so fine they're virtually invisible. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin that is produced
in hair follicles in the outer layer of skin. As follicles produce new hair
cells, old cells are being pushed out through the surface of the skin at the
rate of about 15 cm per year. The hair you can see
is actually a string of dead keratin cells. The average adult head has about
100,000 to 150,000 hairs and loses around 50 to 100 of them a day. This usually doesn't cause
noticeable thinning of scalp hair because new hair is growing in at the same
time.
Each
follicle has its own life cycle that can be influenced by age, disease, and a
wide variety of other factors. This life cycle is divided into three phases:
-
Anagen
-- active hair growth that lasts between 2 to 6 years
-
Catagen
-- transitional hair growth that lasts two to three weeks
-
Telogen
-- resting phase that lasts about two to three months; at the end of the
resting phase the hair is shed and a new hair replaces it and the growing cycle
starts again.
There are several factors that affect hair loss and these differ
from females to males:
Family history (hereditary)
The most common cause of hair loss in men is a
hereditary condition called male-pattern baldness. There are some cases of
female-pattern baldness as well. It usually occurs gradually and in predictable
patterns and may start from as early as 12 years of age in males.
Hormonal changes and medical conditions
Hormonal changes and imbalances can cause temporary hair loss.
This is more common in women and could be due to pregnancy, childbirth or the
onset of menopause. Hormone levels are also affected by the thyroid gland, so
thyroid problems may cause hair loss.
During pregnancy, increased levels of estrogen prolong the growing phase. There are
fewer hairs in the resting phase and fewer falling out each day, so you have
thicker, more luxuriant hair. After giving birth, estrogen levels drop and many
more hair follicles enter the resting stage. As a result more hair falls out in
the shower or on the brush but this unusual shedding does taper off and your
hair will return to its pre-pregnancy thickness about six to 12 months after
you give birth. It’s worth noting that not all women notice dramatic changes in
their hair during pregnancy or the postpartum period.
Medical Conditions
Malabsorption of essential nutrients for hair due to
certain conditions or the presence of immune disease may lead to hair loss.
Medications
Hair loss can be caused by drugs used for cancer treatment,
arthritis, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure and birth control.
Intake of too much vitamin A may cause hair loss as well. Always check the side effects of your medications, as they
may sometimes cause hair loss.
Dietary causes:
According to many medical studies, any deficiencies in vitamins
and minerals like vitamin D, and vitamin B12, iron, zinc and magnesium, may
lead to hair loss. This is especially true for women.
Other causes of hair loss:
- Radiation therapy to the head. The hair may not grow
back to the same level it was before.
- A trigger event. Many people experience a general
thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock and even sudden or excessive weight loss
- Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull hair too tight
(these changes are more obvious for women with long
hair).
The simplest way to identify the cause of hair loss is
through a simple blood test that includes a complete blood count, Zinc, Vitamin
D, Magnesium, Vitamin B12, Iron levels and Thyroid hormones.
Recognizing
that this is a common problem particularly for women, MedLabs laboratories after
consulting with medical doctors and laboratory medicine specialists, launched “Sehtak bil Denia- Hair Loss” to measure minerals and vitamin levels in
addition to the levels of thyroid hormone in order to narrow the causes of hair
loss. Any patient who suffers from severe hair loss should of course see a
doctor.
Solutions:
To solve hair loss issues, look for the
causes & factors that lead to hair loss. Perform a blood test to check your
vitamin and other mineral levels, show them to your doctor who will ask for any
further tests and may prescribe any necessary vitamins, minerals or thyroid
medications if indicated. Furthermore, avoid pulling your hair too tightly,
playing with it constantly, dying it with dyes that contain peroxide
or ammonia and using hair relaxers frequently.
Foods that help prevent hair loss include:
1. Spinach is a great source of iron, vitamin A and
C and protein. Iron deficiency is a main cause of hair fall and spinach is not
only iron-rich, it also contains sebum which acts as a natural conditioner for
hair. It also provides omega-3 acid, magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron.
2. Carrots and sweet
potatoes are an excellent source of vitamins A and C.
3. Eggs and dairy products are loaded with essential
nutrients such as proteins, Vitamin B12, iron, zinc and Omega 6 fatty acids.
Dairy products are also a great source of biotin (Vitamin B7) that is known to
fight hair loss.
4. Oats are rich in fiber, zinc, iron, omega-6 fatty
acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that stimulate hair growth and
make your hair thick and healthy.
5. Walnuts are the only known
nut that contains biotin, B vitamins (B1, B6 and B9), Vitamin E, protein and
magnesium, all of which strengthen hair cuticles and nourish the scalp.
6. Lentils are loaded with protein, iron, zinc, and
biotin. Besides this, lentils are full of folic acid which is necessary for
restoring the health of red blood cells that supply the skin and scalp with
much-needed oxygen.
7. Poultry meat (eg, chicken) is rich in high
quality protein which strengthens fragile hair and prevents breakage.
8. Strawberries, rice, oats, onion, cabbage,
cucumber and cauliflower contain high levels of silica. Silica is a trace
mineral vital for hair strength and hair growth.
9. Yogurt is packed with Vitamin B5 and Vitamin D
that are known to promote hair follicle health.
10. Vitamin C rich foods support the absorption of
iron in our body and are also known for antioxidant properties which reduce
damage caused by free radicals that may make hair brittle and weak.