This archive report was first published on 10 October 2021.
Why Your Hair is Falling Out ¶
Shedding hair is a normal process, with an average of 50 to 100 hairs lost daily as part of the body's natural renewal cycle. However, if you start shedding more hair than that, you might be suffering from excessive hair shedding, medically known as telogen effluvium.
Noticing too much hair in your hairbrush can be worrying, and unfortunately, there's no one reason to explain excessive hair shedding. There are many potential triggers for hair loss in both men and women, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly why you're losing hair and find a solution.
According to a study, one of the most common causes of hair loss in women is traction alopecia. This type of hair loss results from repetitive stress of tension on the hair follicle, compromising the follicle's ability to produce and sustain long and healthy hair strands.
Women of African descent are especially at risk as they are more likely to go for hairstyles such as plaiting, braiding, and installing weaves. African hair is also more fragile.
Fortunately, traction alopecia is quite easy to prevent. To avoid this type of hair loss, it's essential to avoid hairstyles that pull tightly on your hair. Insist that your hairdresser installs braids and weaves loosely, and change up your hairstyles to favour one hairstyle less likely to cause repetitive stress on certain follicles.
Another common cause of hair loss is overusing heating tools such as blow-driers, flat irons, and curling wands. When you use too much heat, it destroys the keratin protein and strips your hair strands of moisture, making the hair look dull and lifeless. Eventually, the hair starts falling off.
However, if the damage isn't too severe, the damage from heating hair can be repaired through boosting moisture and proteins. To prevent heat damage, ditch the damaging processes and start using deeply moisturising oils such as olive, coconut, and avocado oils. If you still have to use heating processes, go for tools that have a temperature gauge that you can use to control the heat.
Double the protection by using a heat defence spray, and towel dry your hair gently and thoroughly before using heating tools – this will minimise the time spent using such tools.
Additionally, hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc on your body, leading to hair loss. Hormones play a big role in regulating hair growth cycles, and an excess of androgens, such as those caused by endocrine disorders such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, can result in hair loss.
Menopause and pregnancy cause hormonal changes that lead to hair loss in many women. After pregnancy and during menopause, women's bodies have a drop in oestrogen and progesterone levels, which causes hair to grow slowly and thinner.
Finally, having a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to hair loss. Vitamin B12 promotes healthy hair growth by aiding in the production of oxygen-rich red blood cells, which feed the hair follicles. This deficiency is especially common in vegans as vitamin B12 is primarily derived from animal proteins.
Fortunately, if you are a vegetarian or vegan, you can include foods that are rich in vitamin B12 in your diet, such as almonds, coconut, and soymilk. You should also consider taking vitamin B12 supplements.
