From Roots to Remedies: Understanding the Causes of Hair Loss

Did you go from a full head of hair to combing over bald patches to hide your thinning hairline? Do you find handfuls of hair as you sweep up? We have hair on almost all parts of our body except for our palms and the soles of our feet. But it is the hair, or the lack of it, on our head that really affects our appearance. The hair on other parts of the body is so fine as to be almost invisible. Any unusual hair loss or baldness immediately draws our attention as it has such an impact on the way we look.

There are few of us who have not experienced significant their loss at some point in our lives. This could come about slowly or quite suddenly, and it could be due to many reasons. As many as 85% of men will have some sort of hair loss in their lifetime. Understanding the nature of hair, its growth cycle, and the different causes of hair loss play a key role in finding a solution.

The hair that grows on our head essentially comprises dead keratin cells that are produced in hair follicles in the outer layer of our skin. Old cells are pushed out through the skin’s surface as new cells are produced and appear externally as hair. On average, human beings have about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs and lose up to 100 a day. This is completely normal, but when there is an abnormal increase in this number and you find hair everywhere, it is time for action.

To understand the reasons for hairfall, we need to know first about the different stages of hair growth. About 90% of the hair on our head is growing at any point in time. Each hair follicle has a life cycle that is affected by several factors such as age, disease, lifestyle and nutrition and a wide variety of other factors. This life cycle comprises the anagen stage of active hair growth, the catagen phase of transitional hair growth that lasts two to three weeks and the telogen or resting phase that lasts about two to three months. Hair is shed at the end of the telogen phase and a new hair that goes through the entire cycle again replaces it. If all goes as it should, the number of hairs shed would be replaced by an equal number of new hairs. However, this is not always the case and there are many reasons why.

• Age: In many individuals, as they age, more hair follicles move into the resting phase leading to hair thinning. This is known as involutional alopecia. 
• Genetics: The most common cause is genetics leading to androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness in men and female pattern baldness in women. It can lead to a receding hairline for men as early as their teens and 20s while it is generally seen in women at a later age, usually their 40s. Those who are more likely to have this condition genetically are more sensitive to a hormone called DHT, which makes hair follicles shrink. When follicles shrink, the hair that regrows after a hair falls is finer, thinner, and shorter. In the long term, this leads to baldness. 
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations due to changes in thyroid levels and pregnancy can also lead to hairfall and hairloss, which can be temporary or permanent.
• Underlying scalp issues: Alopecia areata or the loss of hair in patches can be due to fungal infections and this is why scalp health is important. Skin conditions such as dermatitis and fungal infections such as ringworm that can make hair fall out in patches. 
• Nutritional Factors: Many of the nutrients we get through a balanced diet contribute to the health of our hair. Lack of vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, vitamin D and Biotin can contribute to hair thinning. This is why the use of products such as Ghori Rosemary Mint & Biotin Oil can make a significant difference. If you binge on fast foods having little nutritional value, it will soon take a toll on your hair health.
• Stress and lifestyle factors: If you spend most of your day stressed out by solving one problem after the other, this might contribute to hair loss. High levels of stress lead to a condition known as telogen effluvium as a result of which hair enters the resting phase of its growth cycle much earlier than it should. Other lifestyle factors that affect hair health include lack of sleep, smoking and as mentioned above, poor diet.

Telogen effluvium is a temporary decrease in hair thickness due to changes in the growth cycle of hair, with many hairs entering the resting phase at the same time leading to more hairfall and thinning of hair. 

Hot combs and restrictive hairstyles can also lead to permanent hair loss.

Treatment for diseases such as cancer can lead to hairfall and hairloss. 

Here are a few reasons why your crown of glory could be diminishing day by day:

• Genetics and hormonal changes: The genetics you have inherited from your parents could play a significant role in hair loss. Our hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone too do not stay constant through our life cycle. They fluctuate during major life changes such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause, thus triggering hair loss.
• Scalp issues: Underlying scalp issues are one of the leading causes of hair loss
• Medications: The use of some medications like those used to treat high blood pressure, depression and arthritis may lead to hair loss as a side effect. Switching to an alternative medicine in consultation with your physician is advisable in such a situation.
• Medical conditions: A few medical conditions such as anemia, diabetes, hypothyroidism and treatment for cancer can lead to hair loss, usually on a temporary basis.
• Hairstyling Practices: Some hair treatments like bleaching, blow drying, colouring and perming can cause damage to the hair shaft leading to breakage and hair loss. While hair will look good in the short-term, the damage caused to hair in the long term is difficult to reverse. 

Understanding which one or more of these factors is responsible for your hair loss can help you to take a proactive approach towards maintaining healthy, naturally shiny hair. While some factors like genetics are definitely beyond our control, others like stress and nutrition can be managed through proper diet and practices like meditation. Find below a few tips to tackle hair loss with confidence:

Proven Tips to Boost Hair Health and Reduce Hair Loss

 Nourish Your Hair from Within
The condition of your hair is a reflection of what you eat. A protein-rich diet is essential for maintaining strong, healthy locks. Include nutrients that support hair growth like iron, zinc, and Omega-3 fatty acids in your meals. Eggs, legumes, leafy greens, fish, seeds, and nuts are your hair’s best friends. 

 Treat Your Scalp with Regular Massages
Proper circulation of blood to the scalp is vital for boosts blood circulation to your hair follicles, thus encouraging their growth. A study in 2016 in Japanese males confirmed that regular scalp massages can lead to thicker, healthier hair. Use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp in circular motions. Pair it with a nourishing hair oil like Rosemary, Mint and Biotin oil to moisturize and strengthen both your hair and scalp.

 Use the Right Hair Care Products
Not all shampoos and conditioners are created equal. Harsh chemicals in some products can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it brittle and prone to breakage. Opt for gentle products with natural ingredients to maintain your hair’s health and shine.

 Handle Your Hair with Care
Your hair is at its most fragile when wet, so treat it gently. Opt to dry you’re your hair with a soft microfiber towel or air dry instead of aggressive towel drying. When your hair is tangled, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle without causing breakage. Small but consistent changes like these can make a big difference in reducing hair loss.

 Rethink Your Hairstyles
Tight hairstyles like ponytails, braids, and buns might look chic, but they can damage your hair follicles over time. Switch things up to avoid unnecessary tension and breakage. Your hair will thank you!

 Embrace Natural Remedies
When it comes to combating hair loss, nature often holds the key. Ingredients like aloe vera, rosemary oil, and onion juice have a long history of promoting hair growth. If you’re looking for a natural approach, these ingredients are well worth a try.

 Hair loss is a common issue, but don’t give hair or the lack of it a chance to affect your looks or confidence. Establishing a nourishing hair care routine, combined with a balanced diet, can work wonders for your hair. With the right care and attention, hair fall is often manageable. It is advisable to use hair care products such as the Green Wealth Neo Hair Lotion that are carefully formulated from natural botanical extracts so that you will never have a bad hair day, now or in the future.