5 Causes for Hair Loss
S.O.S. Why is my hair falling?
Your scalp is home to about 100,000 strands of hair and each one has its own natural growth cycle. The cycle has four stages and it begins with Anagen (growth) which can last from 2-7 years depending on your genetics and it determines the length of the strand. Then, Catagen (transitioning phase) is when the hair strand gets detached from the root and stops receiving nutrients but it remains attached to the walls of the follicle for at least 2-3 weeks before falling off. Then, during Telogen (resting phase), new hair comes out from the roots and pushes the previous one. Finally, Exogen (falling phase) happens when the hair detaches completely from the scalp.
GET TO KNOW YOUR HAIR'S STRUCTURE
Most of us lose between 50 and 100 strands of hair each day. When a hair strand falls it’s always replaced by a new, healthy one. Each cycle can last from 4-7 years for each hair strand, and its growth is around six inches per year.
Hair Growth Cycle
The skin from the scalp is composed of minuscular pockets called follicles that carry the root from where the hair begins to grow. The roots get the nutrients to grow from the blood vessels underneath the scalp and the hair that grows gets lubrication and shine from the oil glands attached to the follicles. Several factors may cause a decrease in the length of the Anagen phase, causing an increase in rapid hair loss. It’s most common that with age, the duration of the Anagen phase starts getting shorter and the hair also grows thinner and weaker, but there are other reasons for hair loss.
The most common reasons for hair loss are:
-
Styling
From tight ponytails to relaxing the hair, excessive manipulation of the strands causes the scalp to get irritated and the hair to fall out. Hair styling products that may contain chemicals will damage the scalp, cause hair thinning, and eventually make it easier for the hair strands to fall.
MORE REASONS TO AVOID SULFATES AND SILICONES
-
Medication
Drugs that can mess up your hair growth cycle are medications such as blood thinners or medicines that treat high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, and depression. Birth control and cancer treatments can also affect the growing and resting cycle of the hair strands. Damage is not permanent though, once treatment is finished, the hair usually grows back.
-
Malnutrition
Lacking certain nutrients like iron, protein, and vitamin B (which are essential in the production of keratin) may be a huge contributor to rapid loss of hair.
-
Thyroid Function
A thyroid imbalance is one of the most common reasons for “unexplainable hair loss”. This is an autoimmune issue and it’s occasionally associated with alopecia areata, which causes hair to fall out in big patches. The immune system attacks healthy hair follicles by mistake and causes unusually large bald spots. Damage isn’t permanent though, corticosteroids can help regrow hair for people with alopecia areata.
-
Stress
A traumatic event that causes stress may cause telogen effluvium, a temporary shedding because of nutritional deficiencies or hormonal changes. If hair falls out in clumps, better nutrition and lots of rest are your two best allies.
It’s safe to say that hair loss is a difficult experience for everybody, but it’s inevitable as we age, and it’s ok to try slowing down or reversing this process. The real question is...
Can I get my hair back?
Good news: Yes! There are treatments for temporary and even permanent hair loss. Some of the most common options are:
- Medication
- Surgical treatments
- Natural ingredients
These are all helpful and targeted to specific problems, but our expertise lies in natural solutions or ingredients that you should incorporate into your hair routine.
Ginseng, for example, is formed by active components called ginsenosides that have a positive effect on hair growth and its cycle. Ginsenosides have an anti-oxidation effect that alters the hair growth cycle and affects keratinocytes and dermal papilla growth. These active components act as reversal agents when it comes to the UV-ray exposure that causes hair weakening and loss. Additionally, their anti-aging properties are attributed to slowing down deterioration of collagen and increasing the natural production of hyaluronic acid.
Hair Products With Ginseng
The Repair Treatment restores hair mass with a unique formulation that includes regenerative ingredients such as keratin and it’s also blended with ginseng to regain volume and strength.
The Nurture Treatment rebalances the hair oils with a lustrous formula made of sunflower seed, avocado, argan, evening primrose, grapeseed, and olive oil, shea butter, ginseng, and rosehip extracts. This treatment deeply nourishes the hair and promotes hair growth.
Shop hair products with ginseng HERE.
Attention! If you observe an abnormal loss of hair, we recommend reaching out to your doctor.
