Tips on How to Prevent Hair Loss According to Its Root Cause

While looking at the photos taken form their last family reunion, 10-year-old John noticed that the older men in their clan seem to have agreed to wear the same hairstyle. Whatever… it wasn’t his business! He may be right… but not until he has to wear the same hairstyle too.

Hair loss doesn’t really become an issue for most people until they can see their scalp through their hair. We have been told that it is normal to shed hair up to 100 strands per day, but who would be counting? Very few realize that is not the number of hair strands that fall out which you should watch out for, it is the rate at which your hair grows. Normal hair growth cycle can take up to 6 years. When a hair strand falls off, the hair follicle starts to produce a new one. Normal hair production relies greatly on the hair follicle. A number of factors cause damage to these hair-producing structures making them unable to produce hair, the hair fall rate becomes greater than the hair production rate. This is where the problem starts.

Since hair loss develops slowly, the problem would come into view when the condition is already in the advance stage wherein a large number of hair follicles are no longer producing hair. At this stage, it would be impossible to restore normal hair production without the aid of hair loss treatment products. Early detection of the risk factors that may pre-dispose you from hair loss and eliminating them is the key to preventing it.

Tips on how to prevent hair loss according to its root cause:

• Androgenic alopecia – also known as male pattern baldness, is the main cause of hair loss in men. Hair loss due to this condition is the result of damage on the hair follicles caused by an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This type of hair loss is genetic in nature. As in the case of John, he has a high tendency of loosing hair too just like his father and uncles. Taking food supplements that block DHT conversion from testosterone is the most recommended prevention.
• Hair styling chemicals – young people are fond of experimenting with hairstyle not knowing that those chemicals they use on their hair to get that “cool looks” can damage their scalp and hair follicles. Frequent exposure to hair styling products such as hair gel, wax, hair dye, hair straightening and curling solutions, and even shampoos are found to contribute to hair loss at a later age. When choosing hair styling and hair care products, go for those that are natural-based. They don’t only help prevent hair loss, they also repair damaged hair follicles.
• Dandruff – this is common to people with oily skin. Sebum builds up at the hair roots and hardens over time. The hardened sebum creates a plug that inhibits oxygen circulation to the hair follicle. The scalp also becomes more susceptible to fungal infections. There are specially formulated shampoos that can be used to treat dandruff and scalp infections.
• Stress – while it doesn’t have a direct effect to hair loss, stress drains your body of nutrients that are essential to cellular development and maintenance. Lack of nutrients supply to the hair follicles affects normal hair production. This can be addressed through stress management techniques such as relaxation, exercise, and avoiding stressors. Taking food supplements is also a great way to replenish the nutrients in your body.

As an old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure”. This is also true when it comes to addressing hair loss. While there is a wide range of hair loss solutions, taking care of your hair follicles is the key to achieving healthy hair.