If your hair is falling out, you can rest assured that you are not alone. Men and women both suffer with hair loss. In fact, it’s estimated that 2 in 3 men will see signs of baldness by age 50 (i). About 20 to 30 American women are reported to see signs of hair loss (ii). Across all ages, the progression of hair loss has the ability to impact personal, social, and professional life in a profoundly negative way. For this reason, hair loss is recognized by the medical community as a serious condition of which the public must be aware. With just a bit of knowledge and care, both men and women can proactively keep hair from falling out as they age.
How to Stop Hair From Falling Out
Is it normal for hair to fall out?
Most importantly, men and women must realize that it is normal for hair to fall out. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that the average person loses anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair each day. This sort of hair loss is well within the normal range, and it is a byproduct of the natural cycle in which hair grows. Anagen phase. The hair cycle begins with the anagen phase (growth phase). A single strand of hair can grow for as long as 6 years in some individuals, depending largely on their genes. Catagen phase. At any point in time, about 3% of an individual’s hair might be in a transitional period called catagen phase. For no more than 3 weeks, the hairs in this phase neither grow nor fall out. Telogen phase. Following catagen phase, hairs begin to fall out naturally. It’s estimated that about 8% of hair loss is due to this final phase of the growth cycle. After the hair separates from the follicle and falls out, a healthy follicle will begin the cycle again, and a new strand of hair will grow. In this way, natural hair loss occurs as part of the telogen phase of the growth cycle. Hair loss may also occur temporarily or seasonally, as explored in our article Autumn Hair Loss: Fact or Fiction?
Stopping the Fall Out
Here are 7 tips for preventing hair from falling out.
- Eat protein with every meal.
- Indulge in super foods like blueberries, salmon, and kale.
- Choose hair care products that contain silicone— it can protect your hair during the day.
- Enjoy a scalp massage; taking just a few moments to gently massage your scalp each day can improve circulation and follicle health.
- Take proper care of your scalp by washing hair regularly and using a conditioner that will care for your skin.
- Test your vitals, including hormone levels, thyroid levels, blood count, scalp, and hair.
- Monitor sheets, combs, brushes, and other personal care items for excessive hair accumulation. Consult with a hair loss professional right away should you notice accumulation worsening.
Preventing Hair Loss at Home
To learn more about proactively preventing hair loss at home, visit Capillus.com for more information on home-use laser therapy caps. Sources (i) http://www.americanhairloss.org/men_hair_loss/ (ii) http://www.americanhairloss.org/women_hair_loss/