6 Reasons Why You’re Losing Your Hair

Have you ever thought why you are losing your hair? There are many causes, but the most certain thing is that men are more likely to lose their hair than women and this is because of the male pattern baldness. Hair loss and thinning hair are common in women and the reasons can be a vitamin deficiency or a serious health problem. So, here are some reasons why you are losing your hair.

Physical stress

A temporary hair loss can be caused by a car accident, a surgery or a severe illness, technically, any kind of physical trauma can lead to hair loss. Physical tress leads to a type of hair loss named telogen effluvium. As you may know, hair has a life cycle: a growth phase, rest phase and shedding phase. “When you have a really stressful event, it can shock the hair cycle, (pushing) more hair into the shedding phase,” explains Marc Glashofer, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. The most important thing is that your hair will grow back as your body recovers from the trauma.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can also cause hair loss, because of the hormones and the physical stress. Pregnancy is often associated with hair loss. “Giving birth is pretty traumatic,” says Dr. Glashofer. But you don’t have to worry about it, because your hair will grow back after a few months. “It’s a normal thing and it will work its way out,” Dr. Glashofer says.

Too much vitamin A

If you take supplements or medications that contain vitamin A, you will probably experience hair loss, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The Daily Value for vitamin A is 5,000 International Units (IU) per day for adults and kids over age 4; supplements can contain 2,500 to 10,000 IU. Once the vitamin A overdose is halted, your hair should grow back normally.

Lack of protein

If you don’t give your body the enough protein for it, your body will take it from your hair, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. You can experience this about three months after a drop-in protein intake, they say. So, start eating fish, eggs and meat, because these foods are a great source of protein.

Heredity

Androgenetic alopecia or androgenic is the female-pattern hair loss and is the same version of male pattern baldness. “If you come from a family where women started to have hair loss at a certain age, then you might be more prone to it,” says Dr. Glashofer. Women tend to have noticeable thinning of hair, not a receding hairline. Dr. Glashofer recommends you take advantage of minoxidil, also known as Rogaine.

Autoimmune-related hair loss

This is alopecia areata and is a result of an overactive immune system. “The body gets confused,” says Dr. Glashofer. “The immune system sees the hair as foreign and targets it by mistake.” The first treatment for autoimmune-related hair loss is steroid injection, also you can use Rogaine. The future can be unpredictable, because your hair can grow back and falling out again.