I’m a hair expert – the key reason your locks are thinning but my FREE tips to get it thick again in just a few weeks
DESPITE hair loss and thinning being a natural part of life, it can have a huge impact on our self-esteem as our tresses are such a core part of our appearance.
It’s normal for us to lose around 50 to 100 hairs a day – but studies show that 50% of women may experience noticeable hair loss at some point in their life.
Luckily, you don’t have to suffer in silence and there’s lots of things you can try to restore your hair to its thicker glory.
That includes the free hacks recommended by industry-leading expert Louise Bailey from Beauty Club London.
“A healthy lifestyle can go a long way in reducing hair loss,” Louise said.
“The combination of a healthy diet, balanced sleep routine and gentle haircare is enough to keep hair loss under control for many people.”
But if the lifestyle changes don’t work, you need to work out the underlying cause of your hair loss to tackle it appropriately.
“If lifestyle changes don’t help with hair loss, consult a medical professional who may do blood tests, a scalp biopsy or light microscopy to determine the root cause of the hair loss,” Louise said.
“They will also let you know if there are any underlying medical issues or deficiencies.”
The hair doctor also recommended ditching your heat tools – yes, your hair dryer too – while you’re trying to thicken your hair.
Dye should also be “high-quality” if you insist on colouring your hair.
“For those who want to dye their hair, ensure your stylist is using high-quality products,” Louise said.
“The artificial chemicals found in some dyes and perms can irritate the scalp and cause more damage and breakage.”
What Causes Hair Loss?
Louise warned that hair loss as a result of stress is “often overlooked”.
“The type of hair loss most commonly caused by stress is Telogen Effluvium,” she explained.
“On average, a person with this condition might lose up to 300 hairs each day, noticing thinning, increased shredding and slower hair growth.
“One study found that stress levels impair the hormones that contribute to hair health.”
“When stress levels are particularly high, the hormones that we rely on for full, luscious hair don’t act as they should, leading to increased hair loss.
“Both emotional and physical shock can lead to hair loss as a change in mood can trigger hormonal imbalances, which can include grief, heartbreak, trauma and prolonged anxiety.”
The menopause and post-pregnancy hormones can also throw things off balance and result in hair loss of thinning.
However, if you’re not experiencing stress or hormone-related hair loss, you could have a nutritional deficiency.
“Iron is essential for hair growth as it helps transfer oxygen to the fair follicles so people who have anaemia may experience hair loss,” Louise said.
“Deficiency in vitamins including vitamin B12, folate and riboflavin have been linked to hair loss.
“Omega-3 fatty acids support scalp health and hair follicle function, so a deficiency could lead to dry, brittle hair which is likely to break.
“As hair is mainly made up of protein, it’s important to intake a healthy daily allowance of animal or plant-based protein to keep your hair (and your body) strong.”
What is alopecia and what causes it?
About two per cent of the population will experience alopecia at some point in their lifetime, with around one in every 4,000 developing the condition each year.
It can start at any age but is most common in early adulthood and can lead to a lack of all hair including eyelashes and eyebrows, nasal hair and public hair.
Alopecia areata causes patches of baldness about the size of a large coin.
“Alopecia” is the medical term for hair loss and “areata” means that it occurs in small, random areas. There are various classifications, including:
- Alopecia areata totalis: Total hair loss on the scalp
- Alopecia areata universalis: Total hair loss on your scalp and all body hair
The causes of alopecia areata are not fully understood but the loss of hair is because of inflammation around the hair follicles.
The cause of the inflammation is unknown but it is believed that the immune system, which normally protects the body from infections and other diseases, misfires and attacks the hair follicles.
Therefore, it is understood to be an autoimmune condition, says Alopecia UK.
Genetics may be behind the condition, but there are other things thought to trigger it, including a virus, iron deficiency or stress. Studies are not conclusive.
For women, sometimes birth can trigger postpartum alopecia.
In most cases of alopecia areata, hair will grow back in a few months to a year. At first, hair may grow back fine and white, but over time it should thicken and regain its normal colour.
There is no cure for the condition, only treatments that are not guaranteed to work.
People with alopecia may need to take extra precautions, including protecting their skin and eyes when outside and preventing stress.