We know that hair loss can affect both men and women, it is a situation that can be aesthetically annoying and uncomfortable for some, to the point of affecting their self-esteem and confidence to socialize.

We must be clear about the causes that produce it, avoid them and act for its prevention. However, we must keep in mind that one of the inevitable factors is aging, each strand is losing density and thickness, as many follicles stop producing hair, it is also true that this varies from person to person according to their genes.

But first, we must know how the growth cycle of our hair works, which goes through 4 stages:

1.- Anagen: The hairs are firm and very attached to the scalp, being very difficult to pull out since it is in its most active state. It is known as the growth stage, it lasts between 2 to 6 years and 80% of our hair is in this phase, growing between 0.03 - 0.04mm per day.

2.-Catagen: in this phase the cellular activity stops, so that the hair shaft detaches from the dermal papilla, this stage is called transition and lasts between 2 to 3 weeks, being 1% to 2% of the hairs in this process. 

3.-Telogen: this is the hair loss stage, when the hair root detaches from the dermal papilla and contracts to leave a space for a new hair, this is when the bulb rests and the hair falls out, giving way to a new hair. It is normal to lose 100 hairs per day; but if it is more than this, it is not considered normal and may indicate that the hair is thinning very fast. This is a process that occurs over a period of 3 months and in 10% to 15% of our hair.

4.- Return to Anagen: the hair falls out but its root remains, generating new hair.

 

 

Causes of Hair Loss

 

• Hereditary and genetic factors: This is known as Androgenetic Alopecia or popularly called baldness and is more common in men (80%) than in women (40%). This occurs because some follicles respond to androgens (hormones) with some progressive atrophy, i.e. they have a shorter anagen phase and a progressive reduction of hair thickness until they eventually fall out and may begin to fall out in selective areas.

 

Baldness is considered a disease that may be transient or may have a cause. When it is very severe, it may be due to hereditary hair loss, the hair follicles become so atrophied that they shrink that they cannot provide new hair growth.

 

• Poor diet, vitamin and mineral deficiency: A proper and complete diet of nutrients as I explained in one of the previous blogs, is super important to maintain healthy and strong hair, through the foods we consume. For example, when you lack Biotin which is a Group B vitamin, it influences not only the shine of your hair but it is also an excellent growth stimulant, by not having enough of this B group, your hair becomes weak and can fall out.

 

• Excessive stress: We have all gone through episodes of stress at some point, but if your stress is excessive and for prolonged periods of time it can become chronic, causing hair thinning; since the body is under stress, it will generate a hormonal imbalance, the hair will stop growing and then fall out.

 

• Diseases: By some latent disease that can generate antibodies that attack the hair follicles, weakening to the point of baldness. Similarly, when there are eating and metabolic disorders, abuse of substances that affect the skin, which will create unfavorable conditions for the growth of hair. 

 

• Medications or treatments: Hair loss can also be due to side effects related to medications or treatments such as chemotherapy, very commonly used to combat diseases such as cancer. Likewise, there are apparently harmless medications such as birth control pills, which can also cause hair to lose thickness. 

 

The best thing to do is to read the prescription and side effects of any medication before taking it and always consult your doctor.

 

• Chemical hair processes: The frequent use of hair dyes, bleaching, straightening, use of irons, hair dryers and curling irons can irritate the scalp, affecting the natural keratin, weakening and accelerating hair loss in general. For this reason, we emphasize the moderate use of any of these processes and always protect it with our Be Wise before subjecting it to high temperatures with hair styling appliances.  

 

• Hormonal Factors: We know how much women are affected by hormonal changes and more so when they enter menopause, being one of the reasons why their hair falls out a lot at this stage, as their hormone levels may be lower. 

Symptoms of Hair Loss

 

Symptoms may vary between men and women, but the appearance of the hair will be visibly thinning.

 

In men, hair loss begins at the top of the parietal skull and at the front, known as receding hairline. 

 

In women, it is a little more diffuse, it can affect the temporal part (sides) and the occipital part (lower back of the head).

Is your hair getting thinner and thinner?

To treat it, it is advisable to help strengthen its structure and root, both with a good diet and with products with natural nutrient potential, multivitamin, antioxidants and without toxic compounds in its composition, as are the products of Ginger Milk Natural Care.

I hope this information is useful, if you are going through any of these processes, but keep in mind that you are probably not the only person with thinning hair, it is very common. Remember that you can consult whenever you want and need the previous blogs on our website, to find out everything you need for healthier, stronger and shinier hair.