As women our relationship with hair is very personal – whether you’re rocking thick waves or pin-straight bangs – thinning hair can cause even the calmest of women to freak out! And although bald is beautiful in men – especially considering that some of the sexiest guys on the planet are bald, from Jason Statham to the Rock – hair loss is a huge concern and can impact your self-confidence.

Let’s face it, although most of us have a head of hair that’s far from lush, there are few things more alarming than noticing more and more hair left on your brush, on the floor, or lining the drain of the shower.

The average person sheds between 60 to 100 hairs per day, however, more than that can indicate an issue.

Hereditary hair loss, which is associated with aging, accounts for 90% of all hair loss in both men and women. It’s called androgenic alopecia or male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness. It occurs in predictable patterns – a receding hairline and bald spots in men, and thinning hair along the crown in women. However, if you come from a family with Rapunzel-like locks and yours aren’t, there may be something else behind your hair loss.

Temporary hair loss, medically known as Telogen effluvium could be the result of a few things. Some of the most common triggers of hair loss may include: hormonal imbalances, extreme stress, immune disorders, iron or vitamin B12 deficiencies, certain medications, and hypo- or hyper thyroidism.

Can hair loss be successfully treated?

If you notice excessive hair shedding for longer than 3 months, speak to your GP or dermatologist about possible treatment options.

Be sure to enquire about: Minoxidil lotion: About 60% of patients benefit from it to varying degrees, as well Finasteride: This anti-androgen is taken in tablet form and claims to halt further hair loss and promote re-growth in approximately 80% of patients after 3 to 6 months.

Here’s what you can do to prevent further hair loss or damage:

• Change your diet. Daily intake of protein rich foods are essential. Foods high in vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc and vit B12 can help to revitalize thinning hair. Make sure your diet includes leafy greens, nuts, fish, and lean meats.
• Take a multivitamin with biotin. Vitamin H or B7 is an important nutrient for the growth and maintenance of healthy hair. Vitamin A  helps to regulate the synthesis of retinoic acid in the follicles and Vitamin B reduces stress levels which contribute to hair loss.
• Drink more water. 25% of hair follicles are made of water, keep them hydrated!
• Avoid smoking and excessive drinking. Smoking impacts the blood flow to the follicles while excessive alcohol causes dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
• Exercise daily. It promotes blood circulation to nearly all parts of the body.
• De-stress. Both chronic and sudden stress can halt hair growth. If you’ve been through a challenging time, your hair should grow back. If you’re under constant pressure, master the art of meditation.
• Get smart about styling. Avoid hairstyles that pull on the hairline and ditch the tools with excessive heat. Also be weary of chemical processing during this time.

If your hair loss is sudden and excessive, talk to your doctor and take it from there. Very often a simple blood test could put your mind at ease.

Source: menshealth.com, onegoodthingbyjillee.com, urbancompany.com, medicinenet.com, gq.com, brightside.me,  mayoclinic.org, healthline.com, myclevelandclinic.org, realsimple.com, huffingtonpost.com, womenshealthmag.com, webmd.com, cosmopolitan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.