Why Your Hair Is Thinning + What You Can Do About It
This week, we are discussing one of the biggest topics in the hair industry. THINNING HAIR!
One of the biggest problems the beauty industry has told you is that you have thin hair. First of all, having thin hair is OKAY, it is not abnormal and it's not the end of the world. However, it is important to understand the WHY and then if you care to change it, know that there are some solutions.
Why hair loss happens?
Hair loss or having fine hair can be attributed to various factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, medical conditions, and lifestyle choices. Let's get down to some hairstylist science! Here are the top five reasons we experience hair loss.
Genetics
Genetics play a significant role in determining hair characteristics, including its thickness and pattern of loss. Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss, affecting both men and women. This condition is inherited and typically results in a gradual thinning of hair on the scalp.
The underlying mechanism involves a combination of genetic predisposition and the influence of androgens, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), on hair follicles. DHT binds to androgen receptors on hair follicles, leading to miniaturization of follicles over time, resulting in finer and shorter hair growth cycles.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations can impact hair growth and quality. For example, during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, significant hormonal shifts occur, which can affect the hair growth cycle. Thyroid imbalances, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, can also contribute to hair loss or changes in hair texture.
Hormones influence the hair follicle's growth phase (anagen), transition phase (catagen), and resting phase (telogen), and this affects the rate of hair growth and shedding phases.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Adequate nutrition is essential for maintaining healthy hair growth. Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, such as iron, zinc, biotin, and vitamins A, D, and E, can contribute to hair thinning and loss.
These nutrients play various roles in supporting the hair follicle's structure, function, and growth processes. For example, iron is necessary for oxygen transport to hair follicles. Biotin is involved in keratin production, the protein that forms the structure of hair strands.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can cause hair loss or affect hair texture. These include autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata, scalp infections such as ringworm, and skin disorders like psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. These conditions disrupt the normal functioning of hair follicles, leading to inflammation, damage, or abnormal shedding.
Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle choices can impact hair health. Factors such as stress, smoking, excessive heat styling, and harsh chemical treatments can weaken the hair shaft, leading to breakage and thinning.
Stress specifically can trigger a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. This is where a large number of hair follicles prematurely enter the resting phase and shed simultaneously.
Why taking care of your scalp is important?
If you are trying to grow plants that thrive, what is the MAIN thing to take care of? The soil. The physiology of the scalp involves complex interactions between hair follicles, sebaceous glands, blood vessels, and nerves. Hair follicles are dynamic structures anchored in the scalp's dermis and undergo continuous cycles of growth, regression, and rest. Sebaceous glands secrete sebum, an oily substance that moisturizes and protects the scalp and hair shaft. Blood vessels supply nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, supporting their metabolic activities and growth. Nerve endings in the scalp provide sensation and regulate blood flow to the follicles. Any disruption in these processes can affect hair growth and quality. If you haven't seen the new trend of "scalp treatments" being offered in the salon, you are missing out!! I am predicting THIS is going to be the best salon/spa trend for 2024.
What You Can Do
If you have already damaged your hair via "lifestyle" choices, the best thing is to do a big hair cut and use professional products to create manageable hair. I have few blog posts about hair care below:
You also have a world of extensions, wigs, and toppers to choose from. Picking out the right type of hair and extension install method are CRUCIAL. Do your research on who does your extensions. You can read my tips on how to find the right stylist for you HERE.
If your hair is thinning due to a medical situation, see your doctor to discuss options for hair growth solutions.
I hope this gave you some more insight on why thinning hair happens. I think we OFTEN are surrounded by unrealistic beauty standards and think long thick hair styles are the norm and it is just not the case for most people's natural hair. There are options out there for you if you want to create your dream hair but remember self-acceptance and self-love do not have to be rooted in your hair <3