Get to the Root of Hair Loss

Hair loss can impact people due to various factors. Having knowledge about the factors that contribute to the health and growth cycle of our hair is crucial for addressing the problem of hair loss effectively.

Although each individual has their own unique circumstances or causes for hair loss, there are certain underlying factors that need to be acknowledged in order to reverse hair loss and maximize the potential of the hair follicles in their current state. It is not uncommon for individuals experiencing hair loss to be affected by multiple of these conditions. If any of these issues are left unaddressed, hair loss will persist as a problem.

Climate

Cold Weather

As the warm air moves out and the cold fronts move in, the hair becomes extremely dry. This dryness negatively impacts hair health as it makes it brittle, leading to more split ends and damage. Therefore, maintaining moisture is crucial for keeping hair strong and healthy.

Warm Weather and Humidity

When the temperature gets too hot it causes your hair to hold less moisture which can cause it to become fragile. Living in a warm and humid area can benefit your hair by keeping it moisturized. However, excessive moisture can also be harmful to your hair. Excessive humidity leads to increased absorption of water vapor from the air, which can have undesirable effects depending on your hair type.

Pollution

Exposure to pollution can have detrimental effects on hair growth. It can lead to a decrease in essential proteins and mechanisms necessary for hair growth, potentially causing cell death in the cells responsible for hair regeneration. This is due to increased oxidative stress and inflammation, which can hinder the growth of hair. Additionally, pollution can damage the hair cuticle, cortex, and keratin proteins, resulting in breakage, brittleness, and dryness.

Pollution deposits can also negatively impact scalp health. They can cause itching, irritation, excess sebum production, and dandruff, all of which can block hair follicles and weaken the hair at the root. This makes the hair more prone to breakage and shedding.

Diet

Crash dieting has been commonly associated with nutrient deficiencies as well as other effects on your body. Your hair needs adequate calories and nutrients to grow properly. So, when your body doesn’t receive what it needs, side effects like hair loss can occur. Many studies have linked hair loss to rapid weight loss, calorie restriction, nutrient deficiencies, and psychological stress — all commonly in people who are following crash diets.

Just like crash diets, restrictive diets that cut out entire food groups can cause hair loss as a result of nutrient deficiency or stress. Deficiencies in iron, zinc, protein, selenium, and essential fatty acids have all been linked to hair loss.

Hormones

Hormones are important regulators that send signals throughout our body that controls its changes. Specific sex hormones play a part in our hair's growth; but, they are the very same hormones that can cause hair loss.

The main hormone responsible for hair loss is di-hydro-testosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone. DHT binds to follicles, leading to clogging and a process called miniaturization. As DHT accumulates, follicle openings become smaller, resulting in thin, weak, and brittle hairs that easily break and fall out. Over time, this process continues until the follicle is completely miniaturized and stops producing hair.

To address DHT-related hair loss, early action is crucial. Treating hair loss during the early stages of miniaturization is more effective, providing faster and more significant results.

Aging

As you get older, hair loss becomes more prevalent because of a decrease in hormonal support. Androgens, which include testosterone, are the male hormones responsible for stimulating hair growth on the face and body and creating thicker, fuller hair on the head. However, as androgen levels decline, hair growth slows down and thinning becomes more noticeable. In females, the onset of menopause leads to reduced production of estrogen and progesterone, which are hormones that promote faster hair growth and longer retention on the head.

Hair loss in men often starts at the temple and crown as they age, while women experience more widespread hair loss across the scalp, but less noticeable.