We all want to get our luscious head full of hair for our entire lives. Unfortunately, the older we get the slower hair growth seems to be, the quicker hair loss seems to be, and the thinner our hair becomes. Fortunately, there are treatment options that can help keep your head full of hair. Here is a quick breakdown discussing what causes hair loss and what treatment options are available to those suffering from hair loss.
What Causes Hair Loss?
There are many different factors that can contribute to hair loss and with so many different factors, finding the exact cause can be challenging. With that in mind, it’s important to note that most hair loss is not associated with systemic or internal disease nor is poor diet a factor. While these things may play a role, experts believe the main contributing factor is genetics and aging. Here are some of the other things that may cause hair loss:
- Thyroid disease
- Iron deficiency
- Protein depreciation
- Emotional trauma
- Hormonal changes
- Drug-induced alopecia
Hair loss can be a symptom of disease however, as mentioned earlier, this is not a common factor. If you have begun to notice rapid hair loss, it’s best that you consult with your doctor as quickly as you can.
Which Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss?
Alopecia is a sudden hair loss that starts with one or more circular bald patches that may overlap. This happens when the immune system mistakes the hair follicles for a foreign invader, attacking the follicles. Researchers believe that one of the key factors when it comes to the development of alopecia is vitamin D deficiency.
In fact, studies have found that women between the ages of 18 and 45 who have experienced alopecia or other types of hair loss had low levels of vitamin D. Experts believe this is because vitamin D helps us build up our immune system and a healthy immune system won’t lead to alopecia. Reasons for insufficient vitamin D levels include spending more time indoors, wearing a lot of sunscreens, and not eating foods packed with the nutrient.
What Is The Best Vitamin For Hair Loss?
Just like the rest of your body, your hair needs a variety of nutrients to be healthy and grow as much as possible. We have already established that genetics is the main contributor when it comes to hair loss, but nutritional deficiencies also play a big role. There are several different vitamins and nutrients that can help promote healthy hair growth. These include:
- Vitamin A - Vitamin A helps the skin produce an oily substance known as sebum, which moisturizes the scalp, keeping your hair healthy
- B-vitamins - Biotin is a B-vitamin that is linked to hair growth in humans. Studies have also linked biotin deficiency with hair loss. Deficiencies can be rare because it occurs naturally in a wide range of foods
- Vitamin C - Free radicals can cause massive amounts of damage to your hair, blocking growth the older you get. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against these free radicals
- Vitamin D - As we mentioned earlier, low levels of vitamin D have been linked to alopecia. Vitamin D can help create new follicles and is thought to play a key role in hair production
- Vitamin E - Studies have shown that people with hair loss experience a 35% increase in hair growth after supplementing with vitamin E for 8 months
Taking vitamin supplements to assist with hair growth can help in many different ways. Yes, they can help grow hair faster, but they also help keep the rest of your body healthy.
What Is The Best Treatment For Hair Loss?
It can be difficult to effectively reverse hair loss but there are hair loss treatment options available. Keep in mind, if the hair loss has been triggered by disease, treating the disease can help put a stop to the hair loss. In other instances, such as patchy hair loss, hair may regrow itself, without treatment within a year. Here are some common treatment options that have proven to be effective:
- Rogaine - Over-the-counter minoxidil (rogaine) comes in liquid, foam, and shampoo forms. This product can help regrow hair or slow the rate of hair loss
- Finasteride (Propecia) - Finasteride is a prescription drug for men. It comes in pill form and helps slow the rate of hair loss. It may take a few months for this treatment option to reach its full potential
- Other medications - Other options include spironolactone and oral dutasteride
- Hair transplant surgery - The most common type of hair loss sees only the top of the head lose hair. Transplant surgery aims to make the most out of the hair you have left. A cosmetic surgeon will remove hair from a part of the head of that still has hairs, placing it on the bald spot
Hair loss can also be the side effect of stress, which can remedy itself over time. It’s best to not overreact to hair loss. Consult with your doctor before making any big decisions. That way, you will know whether or not the hair loss is permanent.
What Is The Best Shampoo For Hair Loss?
The type of shampoo we use and how often we use it also plays a huge role in the rate of hair growth and hair loss. The root of thinning hair actually starts at the scalp rather than on your ends. This means using the right type of shampoo can help improve the volume, growth, and circulation of the follicles, creating an environment for the hair to thrive.
Most experts recommend choosing shampoos that are made out of natural ingredients. Products with too many manufactured ingredients can be harmful to your hair, resulting in long-term damage. Experts also recommend applying pre-shampoo scalp oil before applying shampoo. Proper scalp oil opens the follicles, encourages cellular turnover and increases blood circulation.
Supplements Can Help
Taking care of your body with a proper diet, exercise routine, and supplement regimen can help you prevent hair loss. Supplements, such as a spermidine supplement, can help you live a longer life by inducing autophagy throughout your body. Autophagy is the body’s process of replacing older, potentially damaged cell parts, with newer healthier ones.
This process becomes increasingly important as you get older and your cells become more and more worn down. Supplements can be beneficial because it can be difficult to get your recommended daily intake of spermidine through your diet alone. By taking a spermidine capsule with your dinner, you ensure that you always get your daily dose of spermidine.
