Everyone makes mistakes. It’s a natural part of life. But some mistakes can have lasting implications, especially when it comes to your health. But did you know that certain lifestyle choices can lead to hair loss?
Experts say it’s normal to lose up to 100 strands per day. But if you’re losing more than that, it could be a sign of a problem. While there are many potential causes of hair loss, including genetics, medical conditions, and medications, sometimes it can result from something as simple as your lifestyle choices.
Genetics, Medical Conditions, and Hair Loss
Some people are more prone to hair loss than others due to genetics. If your parents or grandparents experienced hair loss, you are more likely to share the same dilemma. There’s not much you can do about this, but it’s crucial to be aware of genetics’ role in hair loss. This will help you be more proactive about preventing it.
Medical conditions can also lead to hair loss. Conditions like thyroid problems, anemia, and autoimmune diseases can cause your hair to fall out. If you’re experiencing hair loss and are not sure about the cause, talking to your doctor would be your best option. They may be able to treat the underlying condition, which could help stop hair loss.
Lifestyle as a Factor Leading To Hair Loss
Not many people know that the kind of lifestyle they lead can also play a role in hair loss. They usually blame genetics and health conditions but often overlook the little choices they make each day that could be causing their hair to fall out. If you’re experiencing hair loss, look at your lifestyle and see if any of these four mistakes could be to blame.
Not Getting Enough Protein
Protein is essential for tissue growth and maintenance, including hair. Without enough protein, your body will start breaking down its own muscle tissue for energy. Remember that hair is 95% keratin, which is a protein. So if you’re not getting enough protein, your hair could be one of the first things to go.
When your body doesn’t have enough protein, it goes into a state of ketosis. This is when your body starts breaking down its own muscle tissue for energy. One of the side effects of ketosis is hair loss. So if you’re not getting enough protein, it could be causing your hair to fall out.
Not Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep is critical for overall health. But not many people know that their hair loss can also signify sleep deprivation.
When you don’t get enough sleep, your body goes into a state of stress. When in a state of stress, the body produces more of the hormone cortisol. Excessive amounts of cortisol can lead to hair loss.
Smoking Cigarettes
There are many reasons why smoking cigarettes is harmful. Smoking can lead to cancer, heart disease, and other health problems. It can also cause hair loss.
When you smoke cigarettes, the toxins in the smoke damage the blood vessels in your scalp. This restricts blood flow to your hair follicles, leading to hair loss. In addition, the chemicals in cigarettes can damage your hair follicles and prevent them from growing new hair.
Steroid Use
Some people use steroids to build muscle mass. Others make take steroids to improve athletic performance. However, artificial steroids can have several adverse side effects, including hair loss.
Steroids can cause your body to produce too much testosterone. This can lead to hyperandrogenism, which can cause hair loss. In addition, steroids can damage the hair follicles and prevent them from growing new hair.
Solutions to Hair Loss
If you’re experiencing hair loss, there are many things worth trying, so you can do to try to stop it. If you think your lifestyle choices could be to blame, here are some solutions:
Get Enough Protein
Make sure you’re getting enough protein in your diet. Eating foods like meat, fish, tofu, and beans will help ensure you’re getting the protein you need. You can also take a protein supplement if you have trouble getting enough from your diet.
Stop Smoking Cigarettes
Quitting smoking can do wonders to your health and even aid in your hair loss prevention. If you need help quitting, there are many resources available to you, including nicotine patches and gum.
Get Enough Sleep
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night. Most adults need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try to establish a bedtime routine or talk to your doctor about possible solutions.
Avoid Steroids
If you’re taking steroids, talk to your doctor about alternative treatments. If you’re taking steroids for bodybuilding, different natural alternatives can be just as effective. This can include things like weightlifting, yoga, and meditation.
Hair Transplant
If you’re experiencing severe hair loss, a hair transplant, also known as a hair implant, may be an option. One of the gold standards in hair transplants is FUE, or Follicular Unit Extraction. FUE is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where experts transplant healthy hair follicles from one area of the head to another. This can help restore hair growth in areas where you’ve lost a lot of hair.
Since the procedure includes the injection of a local anesthetic, most patients who underwent FUE claim they felt little to no pain. They like how a hair implant can yield above 95% and show no linear scars, only microdots after the procedure. Of course, you need to find a certified hair clinic to ensure you get the best treatment. You only need to book an appointment for a consultation to see if FUE is the best hair treatment option for you.
There are things in life that we can’t control — but our lifestyle choices are not one of them! If you’re concerned about hair loss, you can take steps to reduce your risk. And if all else fails, you can consider consulting a pro and see if a hair transplant is right for you.
