Maybe you first noticed it in the shower when hair started collecting in the drain. Perhaps the alarm bells first went off when you spotted it building up in your brush.
Or, worst of all, maybe you’re already seeing it in the mirror.
There’s just no denying it any longer. You’re losing your hair.
Most folks think their only options to turn things around are harsh chemicals or a risky surgery.
But the truth is there are far less drastic options you can try first. In fact, depending on why you’re losing your hair, chemicals or surgery may not be a solution anyway.
Common hidden causes of hair loss
The key is to uncover WHY you’re suddenly seeing more hairs in the sink than you’d like. Then you’ll have a far better chance of slowing down your hair loss, or even stopping it for good.
Following are five of the most common causes for losing your hair.
1. Overdoing the A:
The “alphabet vitamins,” including vitamin A, are good for you. But remember, you should practice moderation in everything you do. Because too much of anything—even a vitamin—can be harmful.
Generally you only need between 700 (females) and 900 (males) mcg of vitamin A daily. And it’s easy to get enough through your diet alone. So if you’re taking a supplement that contains vitamin A there’s a chance you’re getting too much.
With water soluble vitamins, your body gets rid of any excess through your urine. But vitamin A is fat soluble which means any excess gets stored in your liver. And if the levels get too high it can have consequences.
Vitamin A is essential for healthy hair. But when you get too much it can cause your hair growing cycle to kick into overdrive. That means your hair reaches the point it would naturally fall out far faster than it should. And if your body is unable to produce new hair to replace it fast enough, you can end up with noticeable thinning.
If you suspect vitamin A might be behind your own hair loss try tracking how much you’re getting and then dial it back if you need to.
2. Underdoing the protein:
Protein is essential for strong healthy hair. And if you’re not getting enough of it in your diet that can be reflected in your hair.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, if you don’t eat enough protein to fuel your system your body will automatically take steps to keep you healthy. It will essentially reroute the critical nutrient away from your hair to where it’s needed the most, such as your organs and muscles.
If your diet is light on protein, go ahead and boost the amount you’re eating. New hair growth should follow. But be patient, it can take up to three months to see a significant change in your hairline.
3. Trauma:
A trauma in your life can translate to hair loss on your head. But we’re not just talking about accidents or tragedies here. Your body perceives major illnesses and prolonged stress as trauma too.
Experts say trauma can essentially “shock” your hair follicles out of their growth phase and into the shedding stage. But hair growth is a slow process so it can take as long as three or even six months after a trauma for you to start seeing the results in your drain.
The good news is this type of hair loss is usually just temporary. The shedding should slow and then stop. And then your hair will start another growth stage.
4. Genetics:
You may have your parents and grandparents to thank for your hair loss. Male pattern baldness and androgenetic alopecia—essentially female pattern baldness—are often inherited.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stuck with it. In fact, studies have found several supplements… including biotin, MSM and green tea extract… can often slow and even stop hereditary hair loss.
You can try these nutrients separately or look for a comprehensive supplement which contains all of them and more.
5. Medications:
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of our most widely used drugs can cause hair loss and thinning. This includes common medications for arthritis, heart problems, depression and high blood pressure.
If you started taking a new medication within the last six months and are now losing your hair, the drug could be the cause. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out if any meds you’re taking could be behind your hair loss. And if so have a chat with your doctor about other options.
You don’t have to sit idly by while your crowning glory washes down the drain. Figure out the cause of your hair loss and help put the brakes on the thinning instead.
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