Hair fall? Reasons why it can happen and possible treatments

New Delhi: Your hair are probably the most precious part of your body and something that you consciously take care of every step of the way. But, the moment one begins to notice even the slightest increase in hair fall, their first instinct is to rush out and buy the latest anti-hair fall products, without first trying to find out the reason.

It is said that losing 100 strands of hair per day is normal. But if you feel you're losing more hair than the normal amount, it doesn't necessarily have to be because of a disease. It could easily be due to hormonal changes, chemical imbalance, a lifestyle problem, et al.

Each hair on our body has its own cycle, independent of the others. When this cycle is disrupted, be it because of medical conditions or poor nutrition, hair fall occurs.

"Most cases of increased hair shedding gradually resolve on their own without treatment. But, if your hair doesn't return to its normal fullness after 6 to 9 months, then you may require hair treatments," said Prerna Taneja, Medical Director Clinic Eximus.

So, before jumping to conclusions, check out the following reasons which can be responsible for your hair fall problems.

Emotional or physical stress:

When you're going through a stressful phase, you may experience hair loss as your body puts its resources towards getting you through that sad event. Also, overexerting yourself physically can also result in losing strands.

Pollution:

Sudden hair loss is imminent if the contaminants of air, including particulate matter, dust, smoke, nickel, lead and arsenic, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons settle on your scalp and hair.

Poor diet:

In order to be in their best shape, women these days indulge into dieting, which on the flip side can lead to lack of nutrition in their body, resulting in massive hair loss.

Lack of sleep:

Not having enough sleep can also cause and thin down your tuft.

Lack of protein:

Intake of nutrients, like protein, is essential as it helps make new hair cells. But, if your body doesn't have enough of it, it won't be able to replace your old hairs with the new ones.

Changes in birth control pill:

Going off the pill or changing to a different type of hormonal contraception is also one of the causes of hair loss in women.

Pregnancy:

Owing to the estrogen hormones, women during pregnancy notice their hair going into rapid growth mode. But, once estrogen levels go back to normal after delivery, hair starts shredding again.

Continuous styling or tight hairstyles:

Rigorous styling and hair treatments over the years can thin the bunch on your head. Constant application of chemicals on hair weaken their roots. Wearing too tight ponytails is also one of the causes of hair loss among women.

Anemia:

Almost two in 10 women between 20 and 50 years of age suffer from iron deficiency, which is an easily fixable cause of hair loss.

Hormonal changes:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symbolizes imbalance in female sex hormones. An excess of androgens results in ovarian cysts, a higher risk of diabetes, changes in menstrual period, which ultimately affects the hair growth. Hypothyroidism is another big reason for hair loss.

Heredity:

If your family trend has always been in a way where women suffer from hair loss at a certain age, then you might be more prone to the same.

Treatments for hair loss:

Mesotherapy:

It involves imparting a combination of various nutrients and medication that boosts hair growth naturally.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP):

In this treatment, the patient's blood is drawn and is then processed. The platelet-rich blood is inserted via an injection into the problem areas of skin to organically support hair growth.

Hair transplant:

This treatment restores hair by transplanting new follicles into balding or thinning areas. Healthy follicles are taken from other areas of the body; mostly the back or the sides of the head.

(With ANI inputs)