An average person sheds about 50 to 100 strands of hair throughout the course of the day. This is all normal! As hair falls out, new hair grows back in to replace them, keeping the number of hairs on your head in balance. However, if you’re noticing your hair coming off in clumps or even—gasp—find a thinning spot on your head, you may be a little uneasy. There are certain factors that can cause more hair to fall out of your head than normal. This situation is known as hair loss, or alopecia.
While there are many potential reasons that lead to hair loss in women, hormonal hair loss is one of the most common! Here’s how your hormone levels can affect hair loss, and what you may be able to do to combat the issue.
Women who are aging up toward menopause or who are already menopausal may find higher rates of hair loss than younger women. So, why is that?
During menopause, your body produces higher levels of an androgen called testosterone, which may convert to another type of androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When there is too much DHT in your body, it causes your hair follicles to shrink and stop growing, making them unable to support your hair strands, leading to hair loss. Your body also produces lower levels of estrogen and progesterone during menopause, which are hormones that support hair growth. These hormonal changes are why many women find their hair thinning and falling out during and after this time.
If you’re pregnant, you’re no stranger to how much your hormone levels are constantly shifting. Certain hormones associated with pregnancy are known to grow hair faster and stronger. Instead of hair loss, many women experience the best hair of their lives during their pregnancy! Unfortunately, these changes are not permanent. As soon as the pregnancy ends, your hormone levels will decline and go back to normal, which may cause sudden hair loss.
The thyroid—that little gland at the base of your neck, where some have an Adam’s Apple-- is important for the creation of many hormones. One notable hormone, T4, is important for supporting your hair growth. When your thyroid produces too little hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much hormone (hyperthyroidism), your hair may become drier, thinner, and more brittle, leading to hair loss. It’s important to speak to a medical professional if you believe you may have hypo- or hyperthyroidism.
So, what can you do about hormonal hair loss? You may find success using DHT blockers in your normal haircare routine. DHT blockers work to inhibit hair follicle shrinking DHT and promote natural hair growth. This can include prescription medication, however there are more natural over the counter remedies that are available. It’s best to consult with your doctor about possibly using a DHT blockers. You can also support your hair growth by using a luxurious scalp treatment such as Camel Glow’s Growth & Shine Hair Oil. This lightweight oil is packed with ingredients that work effectively to nourish and moisturize your hair follicles and help them support the growth of new hair strands.
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Split ends, medically referred to as trichoptilosis, occurs when a strand of hair splits into two or more. Split ends can occur anywhere on the hair strand, but it is more common on the ends. It starts slowly with only one strand, which may not seem like an issue. However, if you ignore it when it occurs on a few strands, you risk having brittle and damaged hair. At this point, it is easy to give up on your hair, but it does not have to reach that point.
There are various causes of split ends; understanding these causes can be the genesis of your journey towards restoring beautiful hair. Some of the reasons include very tight hairstyles, chemical treatments like perming and dyeing, hair products containing alcohol, exposure to the sun, lack of moisture in your hair, poor diet, genetics, hot water showers, brushing your hair too much, and not gently. Knowing these causes can help you incorporate some measures to prevent split ends. Some of these measures can be brushing your hair gently, minimizing heat tools, and reducing any friction to your hair.
The best solution and remedy to split ends is trimming your hair; however, you can take some preventive measures to try and control the damage of split ends and make them less visible. Consider some of these measures.