The Basics of Hair Loss

Everyone’s Hair grows in phases or cycles.  Hair grows, then it rests, then it sheds or falls out.  Then the phases repeat themselves.  It is normal for everyone to shed about seventy-five hairs a day, while brushing hair, washing hair or running your fingers through it.  The hairs that we lose are replaced by new growth, if things are healthy and working correctly.  There are many reasons for excessive hair loss including iron or other vitamin deficiencies, stress, genetics, hormone imbalance, pregnancy, side effects from medications. It can also be an allergic reaction to soaps, shampoo, styling products, chemical treatments like perms and hair dyes, or from styling habits like the overuse of curling or straightening irons, hair dryers, wearing ponytails or braids, and the list goes on.  Some of these conditions, such as pregnancy, usually will cause only temporary hair loss, hair returns to the normal growth phases with time.

Hair is made up of mainly a protein called keratin, the same protein that is found in your nails, teeth, and skin.  There are also natural oils found in hair.   The foods you eat help maintain healthy hair.  It is important to try to eat foods rich in iron, protein, and calcium.  These are foods such as beans, meat, chicken, turkey, tofu, oranges, mangos, red, yellow and orange peppers, potatoes, cheeses, milk, yogurt, spinach, carrots, and nuts.

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While you can’t change genetics, you can make an effort to make small changes in your everyday life that your hair will benefit from and perhaps prolong hair loss.  You could try using an organic or natural shampoo, conditioner and styling products that don’t contain harsh chemicals that strip your hair of the oils it needs.  These products can be found at your local health food store.  Try skipping the blow dryer, and use old fashioned curlers instead of curling irons.  Wear a loose fitting hat or stylish scarf over your hair if you are going to be in the sun for a long period of time.  If you are a regular sunbather, you can use a sunscreen for your hair to protect it from the sun’s harmful rays, and these can be found at health food stores and supermarkets.