What is hair loss and what causes it?

shampoo for hair loss

The average person loses around 60-100 hairs per day, it is a natural occurrence but when it goes to the extreme is can be quite distressing. Hair thinning occurs when the amount of hair being lost each day drastically increases. This could eventually lead to hair loss.

Hair texture is a genetically determined characteristic and unfortunately, if you are born with naturally fine hair, there is no way to change this. A decrease in hair volume however can be a sign of hair thinning and the sooner you tackle it the better.
There are different types of hair loss and a variety of different symptoms and causes.
According to Anabel Kingsley, a leading trichologist (scalp expert) for Philip Kingsley, the two most common causes for female hair thinning are:
1. “Having a genetic predisposition to follicle sensitivity. This causes a gradual reduction in the diameter of individual hairs and hence a reduction in overall hair volume.”
If you do have a predisposition, other factors such as hormone levels and stress could make it worse
2. “Excessive daily hair fall. Post-pregnancy hair loss is very common, occurring in approximately 50% of women 6-12 weeks after giving birth or stopping breast-feeding. Protein and ferritin deficiency, high fevers and crash dieting are also common triggers of telogen effluvium.”
Reduced hair volume is a progressive form of hair loss and Kingsley suggests addressing it sooner rather than later. She says, “The unfortunate fact of the matter is, as hair follicles miniaturise so slowly, you will have lost around 15% of the volume of your hair before it becomes noticeable. So, by the time you realise that your hair has less volume, changes to your hair follicles probably started at least 5 years ago, and often more.”
A lack of iron and other vital vitamins as well as extreme stress and crash dieting can also increase the likely hood of hair loss or thinning.
Overusing dry shampoo has also been linked to premature balding, due to its effect on the scalp if used too often. “Over using dry shampoo can cause your scalp to become irritable, itchy and flaky” explained Iain Sallis, top Consultant Trichologist. “The product can coat the scalp and act as an irritant, which can also ‘lead’ people to not wash their hair as often as they should.” If you’re using it sparingly, in between washes every now and again, you shouldn’t see the condition of your scalp affected.