Hair loss… During the changes of season, and especially in autumn, it is common to feel that our hair is falling out more than usual. It is the beginning of a state of alert that will make us wonder if this is something usual and timely or, on the contrary, it happens too much and it is therefore necessary to do anything to reduce its fall.
In its natural condition, our hair has three phases: growth, resting and loss. However, the hair loss phase lasts approximately three or four months and causes the loss of an average of 100 hairs every day. Likewise, the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology confirms that autumn is a season where hair is likely to fall out to be renewed and, after a few months, regenerate again.
Therefore, although a quantity of hair falls daily, a balance is maintained that makes this hair be replaced and recovered. The problem arises when this cycle is disrupted, which can happen for different reasons. However, it is important to know that when this is a temporary and isolated fact, it becomes reversible and, therefore, can be solved.
Why does our hair fall out?
The so-called telogen effluvium takes place when the hair loss is higher than usual and happens when the growth period is not yet complete. The Healthy Skin Foundation says that in general, it appears between 3 and 4 months after a particular reason causes it and after the reason that originally caused it ceases, the quantity of natural hair will be restored.
Thus, it is important to know the reason why the hair falls out, so that we may deal with it when necessary. There are some factors involved in this process, some of the most common are:
- Genetic components.
- Diseases.
- Stress.
- Nutritional deficiencies.
- Hormone alteration.
- Postpartum.
- Side effects of some medicines.
- Aging.
Autumn hair loss or temperature changes.
Besides the hair loss process that is natural, in autumn it is more intense. In summer, our hair undergoes some processes against sunlight radiation, which makes the quantity more abundant. In addition, exposure to the sun encourages its growth.
However, during the autumn months the days become shorter and, therefore, the daylight reaches you to a lesser extent. Besides, during this time of going back to the routine it is usual to feel more stressed and / or nervous.
Also, the high temperature changes that take place between day and night, the cold outside and heating inside make the hair suffer. Therefore, these factors help to cause seasonal hair loss.
Does stress affect hair loss?
Stress is one of the reasons for telogen effluvium, so it affects hair loss. This is caused by high levels of stress or anxiety that affect our bodies, weakening areas such as the skin.
One of the ways to differentiate hair loss by stress from other kinds is that in this case, the loss is caused by the loss of density in all areas of the head, unlike other reasons causing loss of hair in some areas. In fact, hair loss caused by stress is not imminent, rather it is progressive. However, although we can not avoid the fall due to this reason, we can definitely take measures to restore it.
Pregnancy and postpartum or lactation.
During pregnancy, there is usually no hair loss since it is usually at rest due to the changes in hormones, as well as the decrease of estrogens in the days prior to the birth. However, this slow loss of hair means that once the hormones are restored to their normal condition, the hair falls out for three or four months after the baby is born.
In fact, the American Pregnancy Association believes that this happens to between 40% and 50% of women who have been pregnant. Also, after approximately one year, the hair comes back to its normal condition and quantity.
What vitamins and nutrients are related to our hair?.
- Vitamin C: its antioxidant effects help the cells responsible for hair growth, as well as having positive effects on collagen production.
- Vitamin A: is involved in the processes of cell growth, as well as helping to maintain normal skin.
- Minerals: such as iron, zinc, copper or magnesium are important for the structure of hair.
- Vitamin B: the presence of different vitamins of this group such as B7 (biotin) or B3 (niacin) or folic acid are helpful for the functioning of the metabolism, especially within the hair follicles.
The importance of zinc and biotin
The role of these two nutrients is very important for hair maintenance. Both zinc and biotin enhance the metabolic activities of tissues whose cells grow very fast, such as hair.
Biotin contributes to the normal maintenance of hair, and zinc is involved in the metabolism of proteins and fatty acids that are key elements in tissue composition, such as hair. Thus, the assimilation of these two elements through a balanced diet is essential for hair health.
The role of collagen
Collagen is a protein that is present in our body in a natural way and plays a key role in the formation of tissue, but over the years its production is reduced.
Collagen helps the hair follicles to be thicker and maintain a strong structure, making the hair look healthier and more nourishing.
Take care of your diet to avoid excessive hair loss.
It is important not to forget the diet of foods rich in minerals and vitamins such as those mentioned above. As a high lack of some nutritional elements can result, not only in the loss of strength in the hair, but also in the decrease of its quantity.
Besides the many advantages of fruits and vegetables, they also have properties beneficial for hair because of their high content of vitamin C found in some of them, such as radish, blueberries, spinach or oranges.
Likewise, fish is very important to the hair here. Those rich in omega 3 and methionine such as salmon or swordfish contribute to the structure and metabolism of the follicles.
Legumes and nuts also play a role in this process, since their iron-rich properties are key to promoting hair firmness. On the other hand, eggs, due to its high composition in biotin, makes them a suitable food to help hair growth. It is also necessary to avoid eating foods that are rich in fat or fried.
Not only is it important to have adequate control of the foods we eat, but also of the drinks we drink. Alcohol and caffeine consumption can cause dehydration, which can lead to increased hair shedding. However, drinking lots of water helps to keep your hair healthy.
