Causes of Hair Loss and Natural Prevention Measures
Nobody wants to lose hair, even though it seems like an unavoidable consequence of aging. However, if you act early enough, you may be able to reduce hair loss or even prevent it altogether!
Keep reading to learn more about the top causes of hair loss and how to take charge of your scalp naturally.
What is Hair Loss?
Hair loss is typically associated with bald patches across the scalp, but there are multiple types of hair loss, including hair strand thinning around the entire head or a certain area. Sometimes, people can lose their hair in clumps in circular patches in a seemingly pointless pattern.
Regardless of the medical definition, nobody wants to lose their hair!
Pattern Baldness
This type of slow hair loss occurs as a person ages. Though it is most common in men, female pattern hair loss is not rare. It often occurs after the age of 25 in men and after menopause in women.
Male pattern baldness is most common around the crown of the head and often results in a receding hairline. Female pattern baldness usually occurs all over the head, especially at the part of the hair.
Pattern baldness is permanent hair loss that is most likely caused by aging in men and hormonal changes in women.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a sudden onset medical condition that causes patchy hair loss around the scalp. It is characterized by circular bald spots that can overlap each other.
This autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system attacks the body’s own hair follicles for seemingly no reason. It is thought that both genetic and environmental factors (including extreme stress) play a role, but no causes have been found for certain.
This type of loss of scalp hairs will usually resolve itself within a few months, but for some, it’s a progressive, permanent condition.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is most common in women who wear extremely tight hairstyles, such as high ponytails, tight natural styles (such as box braids or cornrows), or hair extensions. It is caused by consistent tension on the hair follicles, which results in the hair being pulled from the root.
This type of alopecia often results in a receding hairline and patchy hair loss, but it can result in hair thinning across the scalp.
This type of loss can be permanent if the sufferer does not change their hairstyle.
Telogen Effluvium
This reversible condition occurs when somebody experiences extreme stress that causes the hair follicles (often on the top of the head) to enter the resting (telogen) phase all at once, leading to thinning hair and bald spots.
This common cause of hair loss will usually last around two to three months before new hair starts to grow.
Anagen Effluvium
Anagen effluvium is a rapid form of hair loss most associated with the side effects of chemotherapy and other cancer drugs, but it can also be caused by a thyroid hormone imbalance or exposure to toxic chemicals such as arsenic.
It happens when the hair suddenly falls out during the initial (anagen) phase of the hair follicle due to a chemical or physical disruption.
Sometimes, the hair follicle can be permanently damaged after anagen effluvium, but most of the time, the hair will begin to grow back after a few months.
Other Causes of Hair Loss
Diet
Poor diet is a huge no-no if you want to maintain a healthy head of hair. Eating processed, packaged, or fast food on a regular basis fails to provide your body with the essential nutrients that it needs. As a result, the few nutrients that your diet provides go to supporting essential bodily functions rather than the growth of your hair.
Medication
Certain medications, such as beta-blockers and thyroid hormone replacement therapy, can cause permanent or temporary hair loss. Your life is more important than your hair, so only stop taking medication with permission from your doctor.
Your doctor may also be able to prescribe an alternative medication that does not cause hair loss.
Bleaching and Chemical Treatments
You should never attempt to complete a bleach or other chemical treatment on your own or someone else’s hair at home without prior instruction from a professional.
Extreme bleaching and chemical relaxers, for example, are sure to cause some degree of hair thinning regardless of where it is. It’s best to stick to your natural color and texture!
Natural Hair Loss Prevention
The best measures of hair loss prevention often cause hair growth as an added bonus!
Use a Hair Oil
Castor, argan, and amla oil have been used for centuries in various ancient cultures to boost hair growth and prevent hair loss.
To use, warm the bottle of oil in hot water. Pump the warm oil into the palm of your hand and massage it into your scalp with your fingertips in circular motions.
Do this daily with a lightweight oil and the night before washing your hair in the morning with a heavier oil for best results.
Use a Scalp Serum
The NuOrganic Scalp Serum contains concentrated active ingredients designed to protect and nourish your hair follicles while encouraging quicker hair growth.
It contains scientifically-backed ingredients like Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, which has been shown to reduce the production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the leading factor of male pattern baldness.
You’ll also see Pisum sativum extract (pea sprout extract), which has been clinically proven to increase the growth phase of hair follicles for thicker, longer hair in a shorter amount of time.
To use, simply squirt a few drops of serum onto your fingertips with the included dropper. Massage these active-packed drops all over your scalp in circular motions, paying extra attention to areas of hair loss or thinning.
It also helps if you stand bent over with the crown of your head facing the ground! This position increases blood flow to the scalp and helps with hair growth when used hand-in-hand with our serum.