Hair loss can be hereditary. In fact, around half of men experience the genetic condition male pattern baldness by the time they reach the age of 50.
There is currently no cure for this problem, but there are effective hair loss treatments available. However, in other cases, the shedding of hair can occur as a result of lifestyle factors. So, let us have a look at the influence our routines can have on our follicles and how we can reduce the risk of hair thinning and loss:
Stress
Stress is one of the most common causes of hair loss. Whether it is a personal problem, financial woes, illness, or physical trauma, there are a whole host of situations that can trigger your hair to fall out. Your hair undergoes a cycle made up of three phases: growth, rest, and shedding. Should you experience a stressful event, the hair cycle can be shocked into releasing more hair during the shedding phase, meaning more strands are lost than usual. If you feel that stress is at the root of your hair issues, you may want to consult your doctor. They may suggest some simple lifestyle changes, however if your troublesome time passes, the body can recover, meaning your hair could begin to grow back of its own accord. This type of temporary hair loss is known as telogen effluvium.
Diet
Your diet can have a massive impact on your hair as well. For example, junk food has very little nutritional value, so if you rely too much on these products you may deny your body the nutrients it needs to function properly. Foods that are high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats contain toxins which, once consumed, have to be removed from your body. These toxins can lead to lank, greasy hair. Making sure you maintain a healthy, balanced diet can help protect your hair and keep it feeling and looking great. Protein is especially important, thus include foods such as fish, meat, and eggs in your diet.
Smoking
While smoking can put your entire health at risk, it can also have an adverse effect on your hair. The toxic chemicals released from smoking can affect your circulation, meaning your blood flow becomes impaired. This then results in your follicles being deprived of the oxygen they need in order to grow hair, disrupting the normal growth cycle and resulting in the loss of or thinning of locks. Although it may seem easier said than done, you could decide to kick the habit to prevent this from happening. For help and advice on quitting smoking, you might want to speak to your doctor or local pharmacist.
Now that you are aware of how your lifestyle could be affecting your hair, you should be able to make some simple changes to restore the health of your tresses!
