In today's increasingly stressful world, the number of people suffering from hair loss is increasing. For men, losing hair is something we'll all have to face as part of the aging process assisted by our genetic pre-disposition and inheritance. However, women too can suffer from hair loss!
Diffuse hair loss is a gradual thinning of the hair and is the most common type of hair loss in women. The replacement of old hairs by new hairs is slowed down so that the hair becomes sparse and the scalp can be seen clearly through the hair. The causes can be numerous and include stress, restriction of the blood supply, a poor nervous system and hormonal influences.
Female pattern baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia) is often linked to hormonal changes associated with the menopause, childbirth or as a result of stopping or starting oral contraceptive pills. Hair loss is usually uniformly all over the scalp in women and results from a complex chemical reaction when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone in your system into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). The hair follicles are genetically predisposed to be over sensitive to the DHT and become smaller and smaller with time, leading to the eventual hair loss.
Pregnancy will also affect hair production. Hormone levels increase as the pregnancy begins and not only slow down the hair growth cycle but encourage hairs that should stop growing to continue beyond their usual life cycle. Often this means that your hair appears to grow thicker during pregnancy. Following the birth, hormone levels change again very quickly and the hairs that were growing beyond their normal lifespan begin to fall out. Although this can be very worrying to the new mother, it's perfectly normal and there's nothing wrong with you!
If you are worried, you should see a qualified trichologist as soon as possible, because stress can also be a factor hair loss. If you get an accurate diagnosis, then that will at least take some of the stress away! Eating a healthy diet will ensure that your hair follicles get enough blood to ensure strong, new healthy hair growth.
Foods like nuts, seeds and dark berries are excellent for improving your hair. It is important to stay well hydrated and avoid substances that dehydrate the body, such as caffeine and alcohol. Consuming too much caffeine can also cause the body to lose reserves of minerals such as iron and this can exacerbate hair thinning and loss. Stick to water (believe it or not water makes up a quarter of the weight of a strand of hair) and fresh juices.
Zinc is also necessary for building hair protein and preventing hair loss. Meat, seafood and dark leafy vegetables like spinach are all good sources of zinc. Vitamins B - found in green vegetables, beans, sunflower seeds and nuts and Vitamin C - found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, melons - are important for hair growth and colour. Fatty acids from oily fish such as tuna and salmon or in seeds and nuts are also important to healthily hair.
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