A guide to the common causes of hair loss
Is your brush filling up faster than it used to, or has the volume in your ponytail shrunk? Increased shedding and thinning hair are a frustration many people recognise, both women and men. It helps to know what is actually behind it, because the causes are quite different from one another, and so is what to do about them.
First: hair sheds in cycles
Every hair on your head runs through a cycle. It grows for a period of years, rests for a few weeks, then falls out and is replaced. Because the hairs are not synchronised, you shed a little all the time, commonly in the region of 50 to 100 hairs a day. Events that put the body under strain can push a larger share of hairs into the resting phase at once, and the shedding that follows usually shows up two to three months later. That delay is why the cause is often something that happened last season rather than last week.
6 common causes
1. Genetics
The most common pattern of hair loss in both men and women is hereditary. In men it typically starts at the temples and crown; in women it usually shows as a widening parting and thinner hair across the top, with the hairline largely intact. It is gradual, it runs in families, and it is not caused by anything you did or did not eat. A doctor can confirm the pattern and talk you through the medical options that exist.
2. Hormonal change
Hormones have a strong influence on the hair cycle. Many women shed noticeably a few months after giving birth, when oestrogen levels drop back to normal; this postpartum shedding is common and generally settles on its own over several months. Starting or stopping hormonal contraception, and the years around the menopause, can have a similar effect.
3. Stress, illness and surgery
A high fever, an infection, an operation, a crash diet or a prolonged period of psychological strain can all trigger telogen effluvium: a temporary, diffuse shedding across the whole scalp. It is alarming to look at, but it is usually self-limiting once the trigger has passed.
4. Thyroid problems and other conditions
Both an underactive and an overactive thyroid can affect hair, and so can conditions such as alopecia areata, which causes distinct round patches, and various scalp conditions. These need a diagnosis. If you are also unusually tired, gaining or losing weight without meaning to, or your scalp is sore, itchy or scaly, mention it when you book an appointment.
5. Medication
A number of medicines list hair loss as a possible side effect, including some treatments for blood pressure, mood, acne and thyroid conditions. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Speak to the doctor who prescribed it or to your pharmacist, who can tell you whether the timing fits and what the alternatives are.
6. Iron deficiency and diet
Iron deficiency, with or without anaemia, is associated with hair shedding, and it is common in women with heavy periods. Very restrictive eating, rapid weight loss and low protein intake also take a toll. This is one of the causes that can be checked with a simple blood test, which is a much better basis than guesswork before you start supplementing anything.
When to see a doctor or pharmacist
Book an appointment if the hair loss:
- comes on suddenly, or in clumps;
- leaves bare or patchy areas;
- carries on for more than a few months;
- comes with a sore, itchy, scaly or inflamed scalp;
- comes with other symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight change or heavy periods;
- started after a new medicine.
The earlier a medical cause is identified, the more options you have. A pharmacist is a good first port of call if you are not sure whether to see a doctor.
What helps in everyday life
None of this replaces a diagnosis, but the hair you already have takes less of a beating if you:
- eat varied meals and drink enough water;
- turn the heat down on the dryer and straighteners, and use heat protection;
- avoid tight ponytails, buns, braids and extensions that pull at the hairline;
- comb wet hair gently with a wide-toothed comb;
- choose a mild shampoo and a conditioner that suits your hair;
- give it time, because hair changes slowly and any routine needs months, not days, to be judged.
Where a food supplement fits in
A food supplement is not a treatment. It does not treat, prevent or reverse hair loss, and it will not change genetics or hormones. What it can do is help cover the intake of particular vitamins and minerals alongside your diet.
Hair Luxious is a food supplement containing, among other nutrients:
- biotin, which contributes to the maintenance of normal hair;
- zinc, which contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, skin and nails;
- selenium, which contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and nails;
- vitamin B12 and iron, which contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue;
- vitamin E, which contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
It comes in separate variants for women and men, and is sold online and through Norwegian pharmacies.
Frequently asked questions
Can men use Hair Luxious?
Yes. There is a separate variant for men. The composition is largely the same as the women's variant, but without iron and with one different plant extract.
Does Hair Luxious help with hormonal hair loss?
No. It is a food supplement, not a medicine, and it does not treat any condition. If you think your hair loss is hormonal, speak to your doctor.
Is it safe to use alongside other supplements?
Avoid doubling up on the same vitamin or mineral, particularly biotin and zinc. Check the labels, and ask a pharmacist or your doctor if you are unsure, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking prescribed medicines.
Where is Hair Luxious sold?
It is available here in our store and through selected pharmacies and reputable online retailers.
Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
