Hair Loss: Common Triggers & Prevention

We lose an estimate of 100 hairs a day

Many of us are often annoyed with hair fallout on brushes, on clothing or when it lands up in the drain. We have summarised the most common factors that lead to hair loss and how you can stop it in its tracks.

We all lose a certain number of hair strands on a daily basis which is estimated at 100 hairs a day - this is, of course, only a guideline since none of us actually count each strand that lands up between the bristles of our hairbrush.

What's worse is that long and dark hair is more visible and oftentimes it seems as though more hair has been stripped from the scalp even though it is not the case. If, however, you have the feeling that you are losing more hair than usual, we strongly suggest keeping a close eye on it.

What causes hair loss?

Our hair starts to change once we reach the age of 25. The hair becomes thinner and often less dense than it used to be. Men experience genetic hair loss between the age of 30 and 40 years, whereas women start to lose hair during their early 50s.

Reasons for hair loss:

• diet
• vitamin deficiency
• stress
• hormonal fluctuations
• medication
• illness
• genetics

It helps to make a mental note of the changes that have taken place recently. Triggers can be linked to things like ending a relationship with your partner, pregnancy or even the stress of relocating. Have you altered your diet or has the change in season taken a toll on your body? The latter might seem a bit odd, but certain seasons can lead to excessive hair loss in some cases.

If you are unable to pinpoint the cause and the use of milder hair care formulas aren't showing any improvements, it's time to seek medical advice. Other factors could also be linked to hormonal fluctuations and an iron deficiency.

How to prevent hair loss

First, swap out your hair care products with ones that have less aggressive formulas. Many sulphates and other ingredients have such powerful cleansing action that they damage the skin barrier of the scalp making it more susceptible to pathogens. Scalp masks are ideal for promoting blood circulation. In the long term, it may help wash your hair less frequently and simply use fewer products.

DIY remedy for stress scalp types

When the scalp is feeling agitated and itchy, a DIY hair treatment may bring you some relief:

Massage pure coconut oil or olive oil onto the scalp and leave on overnight then cleanse the hair the following morning. The oil is a great moisturising booster. Coconut oil has antiseptic and cleansing properties.

If you have very dry skin, try a few drops of wheat germ oil, jojoba oil or almond oil mixed with a small amount of mashed avocado. Apply to the scalp and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes then cleanse the hair with a mild shampoo.