Article by Dr. Swathi Shivakumar, Consultant Dermatologist, Aster RV Hospital

It is common for some hair to fall out on a daily basis. Every day, people shed up to 100 hairs. When hair falls out to greater extents than normal, it can cause worry. In that case, they should consult with a doctor to determine the best treatment alternatives. After a doctor has addressed the underlying issue, a person’s hair will often return to normal. Hair loss, whether baldness or noticeably thinning hair, can be caused by a number of factors, which are discussed in brief below

Factors that cause hair loss:

·         Heredity- The most common cause of chronic hair loss is a genetic condition that develops with age. Androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness, and female-pattern baldness are all terms used to describe this disorder. Men get a receding hairline and bald patches, while women experience widening of their hair partition.

·         Hormone imbalances and medical issues -Hair loss can be permanent or temporary due to a variety of conditions, including hormonal changes induced by PCOD, pregnancy, delivery, menopause, and thyroid issues.

·         Medical conditions include alopecia areata, an immune-related condition that causes patchy hair loss, scalp infections like tinea capitis, syphilis, and trichotillomania, a psychiatric illness characterised by hair-pulling behaviour.

·         Medications and dietary supplements- medicines which are used to treat cancer, arthritis, depression, heart issues, gout, and high blood pressure, can also cause hair loss.

·         Nutritional deficiencies can result from poor nutrition or following a severely restricted crash or fad diet, which can lead to hair loss ranging from thinning to patches of baldness.

·         Radiation /Chemotherapy induced hair loss

·         Stress- Several months after a physical or mental stress, many people notice a general thinning of their hair. This kind of hair loss is just transient.

·         Styling – You might cause substantial damage and breakage to strands in the pursuit of a fashionable hairstyle, which can lead to hair loss and thinning. Over-shampooing or blow-drying, using hot styling tools frequently, tying a too-tight ponytail can all lead to hair loss.

Hair loss prevention tips:

·         Take care of your hair-When brushing and combing your hair, use a detangler and prevent tugging, especially if it is damp. A wide-toothed comb can aid hair loss prevention. Excessive procedures to avoid include hot rollers, curling irons, hot-oil treatments. Rubber bands, barrettes, and braids put a lot of strain on your hair, so try to avoid them.

·         Stay hydrated – The hair shaft is made up of one-quarter water, so drink at least four to eight glasses of water every day to stay hydrated and promote healthy hair development.

·         Consult with your doctor- about any drugs or supplements you are taking that may be causing hair loss.

·         Protect your hair from the sun and other sources of UV radiation.

·         Vitamins- are not only beneficial for your general health, but they are also wonderful for your hair. Vitamin A promotes healthy sebum production in the scalp, vitamin E stimulates blood circulation to keep hair follicles active, and vitamin B maintains hair appearing healthy.

·         Protein-rich foods – Eating lean meats, fish, soy, and other proteins boosts hair health and, as a result, helps to prevent hair loss.

·         Avoid smoking – as smoking limits the quantity of blood that goes to the scalp, resulting in a reduction in hair growth.

Before beginning a new hair loss therapy or using supplements, it is better to consult with a doctor. Hair growth can be restored and further hair loss can be avoided by treating the underlying condition. As a result, your first move should be to seek medical help for the core health issue