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Hair loss

Hair loss

Hair loss is a natural process and therefore usually not something to worry about. But do you suddenly notice abnormal hair loss or notice bald patches appearing? Then read on to find out what might be causing it and what you can do about it.

Normal hair loss: fifty to eighty hairs a day

You normally lose fifty to eighty hairs a day. Healthy hair has a lifespan of one to six years and then falls out. A new hair grows again from the same hair follicle. If all goes well and this process runs its usual course, the total number of hairs remains the same. Then your hair will not become thinner, nor will areas of reduced hair growth or even bald patches appear. This is because the number of hairs on your head remains the same.

Visibly thinner hair

You don't have to count the hairs that have fallen out, of course, but have you noticed that your hair is really thinning or that localised baldness is developing? If so, there is usually another cause besides the natural process of hair renewal. Depending on the cause, something can sometimes be done about it, but sometimes it is difficult or even impossible to pinpoint a cause and, unfortunately, there is little you can do about it.

Only visible at a late stage

Because the process of hair loss and the thinning of your hair or possibly bald patches is often a gradual process, you only notice that something is going on a few months after this process starts. This sometimes makes it difficult to identify a possible cause. Should you find a cause, and you can then do something about it, you will also only notice an effect after a few months.

Excessive hair loss; causes

If you notice that your hair is really thinning or that bald patches are developing, there are a number of possible causes. The most common are hereditary baldness (yes, even in women), ageing, medication or extra hair loss after childbirth. There are also numerous quite rare forms of hair loss, some of which we discuss at the bottom of this blog.

Hereditary baldness
Hereditary baldness is usually the most common cause of hair loss. There is no specific age for this; it can start as early as puberty. When we think of hereditary baldness, we think mostly of men. It actually always starts in men with the well-known inlets and then the crown. That women sometimes also lose hair because of hereditary baldness is less well known. Mainly also because hereditary hair loss in women does not follow a certain predictable pattern. Hair loss and non-re-growth of head hair in women occurs gradually over the entire head. The hair thus becomes thinner overall (fewer and fewer hairs grow on the head) but real bald patches do not usually appear. However, women do sometimes experience an increasing hairline separation on the head, where hair density is much less.

Remedy: You can use hair growth remedies if you suffer from this hereditary baldness. However, do this in consultation with your doctor.

Growing older
As you get older, your hair grows slower. It also reduces the number of hair follicles and thus the number of hairs. This also makes your hair thinner because it does not grow back as fast. This process starts about the same time you start getting your first grey hairs.

Change in hormones
Could it be that you are currently undergoing a hormonal change that reduces the levels of oestrogen and/or progesterone?

After your pregnancy, for example, oestrogen levels decrease, causing you to temporarily lose more hair. Your beautiful, full head of hair from when you were pregnant was caused by a temporary increase in oestrogen levels. Now that that is dropping again, the number of hairs will return to normal at breakneck speed.

Are you menopausal or in a pre-menstrual phase? Then not only do oestrogen levels drop, but also progesterone levels. This results in a greater loss of hair.

Medication
That chemotherapy or radiotherapy is a common cause of hair loss is well known, and usually secondary to the desire to simply get well again. Eventually, your hair will grow back after the treatments, although it may be very different hair in terms of structure than you had.

Vitamin deficiency
It is not very common, but a deficiency of biotin, iron, protein or zinc can also be the cause of your hair loss. Of course, you can always check if this could also be the cause in your case.

Traction alopecia
Traction alopecia is a form of hair loss caused by tension on the hair root, often the result of wearing a too-tight ponytail or bun. You can make sure that there is not too much pressure or tension on the head hair. This can be done by being careful not to wear tails and buns too tightly, and braids too. Patches once affected by traction alopecia are difficult to heal.

Overstyling and chemical treatments
Do you relax your hair and/or blonde or bleach it? Of course, you already know that this damages your hair, but it can actually cause your hair follicles to be damaged and your hair to fall out. Make sure you use professional products like our blonde and highlights kit. And add Colour Mask to your blonde to protect your hair and scalp.

Autoimmune disease (alopecia areata)
Alopecia areata means patchy baldness. It is a disease of the hair roots. The spots where the hair roots are affected are round or oval. In these spots, almost all the hair suddenly falls out, while the surrounding skin is unaffected. The exact cause of alopecia areata is unknown. It is thought to be a disorder in the body's defence mechanism. In this case, the defence mechanism is not directed against external infections but against the body's own body. In this case, against the hair roots. Fortunately, in 80% of all cases, bald patches recover spontaneously within six months.

The bald patches are usually discovered by people other than the patient himself. So, the hair loss is usually not even noticed. Do you have bald patches on your head? If so, visit your GP.

Cicatricial alopecia
Cicatricial alopecia is a form of baldness caused by scarring on the scalp. Since no hair growth occurs on scar tissue, bald patches form depending on the size of the scars. The formation of these scars is caused by burning, injury, infection, fungal growth or congenital abnormalities.

An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
An underactive thyroid gland can cause hair loss. However, only severe and prolonged hypothyroidism causes hair loss. This hair loss is evenly distributed over the head, similar to hereditary baldness. As a result, you often only notice it late because your hair has become significantly thinner. If you suspect that your hair loss is related to a thyroid gland that is working too slowly, discuss this with your GP.

Numerous less common causes of hair loss

There are many other causes of excessive hair loss, including obesity, underweight, high-stress levels, insulin resistance and type II diabetes. If you suffer (or have suffered) from any of these conditions, they often result in patterned hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). Do you think you might suffer from this? If so, it is best to schedule an appointment with your GP. If necessary, he or she can refer you to them to clarify the reason for your hair loss.

Healthier hair with WECOLOUR

Hopefully, you can find the reason for your hair loss and do something about it. Because at WECOLOUR, we believe above all that beautiful hair is healthy hair. That's why WECOLOUR products contain as few harsh substances as possible to dye, blonde or highlight, condition, protect, or style your hair and put as little stress on it as possible. Are you currently unhappy with how your hair looks, possibly due to thinning? Then switch to WECOLOUR to be able to colour, condition and style your hair as gently as possible. This will also definitely benefit your hair, despite your (temporary) hair loss.

 

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