Why Am I Losing My Hair?
Our hair is essentially our crown — it is our way of expressing our style and can even be used as an all-natural “scarf” on bitter, cold winter days in New York. Long, full hair is also a sign of youth that we all hope to preserve for as long as possible. If we were to lose our hair, we would look quite different and could feel like we were losing some of our power. At Angelo David New York, we understand that losing hair can begin to feel like losing your power.
Shedding hair is very normal — it is a natural part of the growth cycle and is a sign that we are alive and well. Depending on the thickness of your hair, most of us lose about 80 strands a day. However, if you notice that you might be losing more hair than normal, it could be time for concern.
But don’t freak out!
There are a lot of reasons why you might be losing your hair. Let’s first look at why you might be losing your hair.
The worst thing about thinning hair, besides losing your locks, is not knowing why you’re losing your hair. The reasons why you might be losing your hair can be categorized as:
Genetic
Some people — even women — are predisposed to experience a receding hairline and thinning hair as they get older. Some hair follicles are more sensitive to certain hormones and can shrink over time.
Reactive
If your hair thinning isn’t due to genetics, it may be due to your environment, or physical and mental health. Certain triggers can cause your hair to gradually decrease in volume. Oftentimes, making a lifestyle change can reverse the effects.
Medical
Sometimes hair loss can be related to a medical condition. Extreme illness can cause hair loss. However, there are conditions, such as alopecia, that are directly related to hair loss.
Our overall health has a significant bearing on our hair health. Generally, if our bodies aren’t feeling well, there is a good chance that our hair and skin won’t look their best. Here are some factors that are often responsible for hair loss.
Physical Stress
Physical stress can take a lot of forms; from a high-stress job to an accident, illness, or surgery, these physical factors can absolutely cause hair loss. When our bodies are under extreme stress, the hair growth cycle is interrupted. Our hair grows in a three-stage cycle:
- Growth
- Rest
- Shedding
When our body endures trauma, rather than go through the cycle as normal, our body’s hair follicles will skip the other stages and go straight to the shedding phase. Thankfully, once the stressor has passed, often the hair follicles will recover and begin to function properly allowing you to enjoy your full locks again.
Pregnancy can also be a physical stressor that is responsible for hair loss. After birth, many mothers will temporarily experience hair thinning because birth puts a lot of stress on the body.
Too Much Vitamin A
Too much vitamin A in your diet can also contribute to hair loss. When you ingest too much vitamin A, it builds up in your body, which after a time, causes hair loss — and can even become toxic! If this is the cause, significantly decreasing your vitamin A intake for a time may help your hair to recover. Sources of vitamin A include:
- Some supplements
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Dried apricots
- Cantaloupe
- Red bell pepper
- Sweet potatoes
- Pistachios
- Broccoli
- Goji berries
- Mango
- Butternut squash
Lack of Protein
Not eating enough protein can often cause hair loss, as the body will shut down hair growth. Many vegetarians and vegans can suffer from hair loss. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t stick to your convictions. Many other foods besides meat can provide sufficient protein such as:
- Seitan
- Soy products
- Lentils and beans
- Nutritional yeast
- Spelt and Teff
- Hemp seed
- Spirulina
- Amaranth and quinoa
- Sprouted grain bread
- Oats
- Wild rice
- Chia seeds
- Nuts and nut products
- Protein-rich fruits and veggies (asparagus, artichokes, blackberries, bananas, etc.)
If you are losing your hair due to a protein deficiency, incorporate more protein-rich foods and see your hair regain its previous volume.
Hormone Imbalance
Our hormones play a major role in the function of our bodies. Often seemingly unrelated hormone imbalances can affect hair growth and hair loss. Sometimes women may experience hair loss even when switching or discontinuing birth control. Chronic hormonal imbalances such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can also have a bearing on our hair growth. Menopause is another factor that can negatively affect hair growth. When our body begins menopause, an androgen that is activated will cause hair follicles to shrink. As a result, women will experience hair loss during menopause.
Anemia
Anemia is related to iron deficiency and commonly occurs in women from the ages of 20 to 49. Iron deficiency simply means that you aren’t getting enough iron in your diet. Signs that you may be experiencing anemia include fatigue, headaches, cold hands and feet, and pale skin. If you think you may have iron deficiency, it’s important to see your doctor. They may prescribe medication or supplements. However, in some cases, you can combat your symptoms by eating more foods rich in iron:
- Shellfish
- Spinach
- Legumes
- Red meat
- Pumpkin seeds
- Quinoa
- Turkey
- Broccoli
- Dark chocolate
- Tofu
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid can also lead to hair loss. The thyroid affects our body’s metabolism, which can also affect other areas of our body. One of the results of an underactive thyroid is hair loss. A thyroid that is underperforming isn’t good and can negatively affect our body in the long run — it’s important not just for your hair, but for the health of your entire body that you see a doctor if you think your thyroid isn’t working.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is the condition when our body’s immune system becomes confused and begins to attack other parts of the body. Hair loss is a tell-tale sign of alopecia. Medication can often help the body to get back on track. Alopecia can be tricky in that sometimes it may seem the body is getting better, but you may experience hair loss once again; working with a doctor is crucial for becoming healthy.
Though there are many signs that can point to these physical stressors, getting a hair and scalp analysis test can tell you not only the health of your hair and scalp but can provide other information about what is going on in the rest of your body.
At Angelo David New York, we use an APM 200 HD imagining device that allows us to see your scalp on a microscopic level. With this in-depth view, we can have a holistic look at the entire health of your hair and scalp and potentially even your general health. We are then able to make recommendations as to what hair-thinning solution will work for you. We are not doctors, and we highly suggest that you see your doctor if you are experiencing poor health. However, Angelo David and his team of expert stylists can help you find a hair-thinning solution that can work for you.
What Are Hair Loss Treatments?
As there are numerous reasons why you might be experiencing hair loss, there are many possible ways to solve the problem and allow you to enjoy a full head of hair. To see all the possible hair loss treatments that we offer for men and women, contact our salon today. Here are some of our most popular options:
Hair Detox
As New York’s hair loss expert, Angelo David created Hair Detox, the first hair loss supplement that conquers the issue of hair loss not through superficial means, but by tackling the root issue — nutrition and stress. By using Hair Detox, you can experience long, luscious, and voluminous locks from the inside out. We created two formulas — one for men and one for women — to truly address the issues that are affecting your hair. Learn more about Hair Detox here.
Couture Hair
If you are looking to up your hair game through the best hair extensions, wigs, and hair pieces in New York, look no further. Angelo David offers custom-made and ready-to-wear wigs and hairpieces that can allow you to have the va-va voom hair that you want. Created from real human hair, our hair extensions and wigs are custom-fit, colored, and adjusted for your needs. Even our ready-to-wear wigs will feel like they were made for you as we fit them just for you. Learn more about our:
We offer hair pieces for women and men and also specialize in wedding hair extensions and hair pieces.
We also offer scalp and hair treatments, men’s hair thinning solutions, and other salon services. Learn why so many trust Angelo David New York with their hair. Schedule a complimentary consultation!