What causes hair loss?
It’s every woman’s worst nightmare: hair loss! For many women, their hair is (almost) everything. Yet more than half of women in the Netherlands struggle with hair loss or thinning hair. And make no mistake—hair loss in women can happen at any age, even as early as your twenties! Hair loss can occur during various stages of a woman’s life. In this blog, we’ll discuss a number of causes and tips that can help prevent and treat hair loss and thinning hair.
Hair Loss: How Does It Affect You?
No matter how you look at it, the image of a bald man is actually practically the norm in society. And of course, most men would prefer not to be bald. But men tend to accept this new look more readily and more quickly than women do. If you’re a woman dealing with excessive hair loss, it can have a major impact on your self-image. You feel insecure and worried. This, in turn, causes stress, which doesn’t help when it comes to hair growth! All in all, hair loss can really take a toll on you!
When is hair loss really a problem?
Every woman goes through a period at some point when she loses more hair than usual. When is hair loss more than usual? If you’ve been experiencing hair loss for a prolonged period—longer than 6 weeks—(an average of more than 100 hairs per day), it may no longer be normal shedding. We therefore recommend that you contact your primary care physician.
What are the signs of excessive hair loss?
Hair Loss in Women
- Thinning hair
- Hair loss lasting longer than 6 weeks (more than 100 hairs)
- Her hair is thinning
- A mix of thin and thick hairs
Hair Loss in Men
- Coves
- Receding Hairline
- Her hair is getting thinner
What are the main causes of hair loss?
In addition to common hair loss, which is genetic and therefore caused from within, women may also experience diffuse hair loss. This is also known as telogen effluvium.
Diffuse hair loss
Telogen effluvium is a symptom (manifestation) and does not yet indicate the underlying cause of hair loss. Telogen effluvium refers to excessive or extreme hair loss caused by a disruption of the hair growth cycle. The most benign form of diffuse hair loss in women is seasonal hair loss (shedding). In the spring and fall, there may be periods when more hair falls out, but this typically resolves itself in the summer and winter. Hair loss after pregnancy is also a normal phenomenon that lasts for a few months. Afterward, the hair grows back!
1) Hair Loss During and After Pregnancy
If you're pregnant, you probably have thicker, fuller hair than usual. Once your baby is born, you'll often lose that "extra hair."
Why does your hair fall out after giving birth? And is there anything you can do about it?
For many women, their hair becomes fuller and more beautiful during pregnancy. This is due to the female hormone estrogen. Estrogen ensures that about 95% of your hair is in the growth phase during pregnancy. Normally, 85–90% of your hair is in the growth phase. Since women have an average of 100,000 hairs on their heads, this is a significant increase! When your blood estrogen levels drop around the time your baby is born, your hair enters the resting phase and then the shedding phase. As a result, you’ll suddenly lose a lot of hair. The texture will also change. No worries. This is normal. After 6–8 months, your normal hair cycle will return to normal. For 80% of women, hair loss stops after about four months.
It’s important to continue providing your hair with the right hair care. Choose hair care products designed to combat hair loss. The Mediceuticals brand focuses on treating a wide range of scalp issues. They also understand that there are different types of scalp issues and causes that can lead to hair loss. They offer various product lines specifically designed for different scalp issues. It’s definitely a great brand if you’re dealing with hair loss or other scalp issues.
Neofollics also offers a line of products designed to combat hair loss, which has been proven to be effective. You could also try UKLASH hair vitamins or Becosme vitamin patches to stimulate hair growth. This way, you’re also addressing the issue from the inside out.
Shop for your post-pregnancy hair care products at johnbeerens.com
2) Does stress affect hair loss?
Stress puts your body into survival mode. This can have all kinds of negative effects on your health. And yes, hair loss is one of them. Severe stress causes your hair follicles to go into a dormant state. The hair essentially dies off. The main culprit here is cortisol, better known as the stress hormone. Cortisol, in turn, causes an overproduction of lactic acid, which damages the hair. The hair root is damaged, and the hair becomes thinner and/or falls out. The result: large clumps of hair in your brush and shower drain. Hair loss often occurs in specific areas of your scalp. In severe cases, this can even lead to bald spots.
The hair follicle has its own cycle of growth, transition, rest, and shedding. Stress reduces the number of hairs in the growth phase and pushes them into the resting phase. No one truly understands the complex biology behind hair growth. What we do know is that stress accelerates the hair cycle and pushes the hair into the telogen phase. Don’t worry—this isn’t necessarily permanent and won’t lead to baldness. “Telogen effluvium usually occurs within the first three months after a stressful event or period. Think of things like a divorce, moving, or stress related to children or work. Usually, hair loss is a sign that a new hair is growing from the hair follicle of the lost hair. So three to six months after the hair loss, you should see a new hair appear.”
If you want to take better care of your hair during stressful times, check out our hair loss category and choose the right hair care products to stimulate hair growth again. Opt for a hair vitamin combined with a hair care product that gives your hair a boost.
3) Underactive thyroid
When the thyroid gland is underactive—a condition also known as hypothyroidism—it can lead to hair loss.
What is the connection between an underactive thyroid and hair loss?
No matter how small your thyroid gland may be, this butterfly-shaped organ regulates your energy levels and physical growth. Your metabolism slows down when there is a deficiency of thyroid hormone. This has a negative impact on bodily functions. If you have an underactive thyroid for an extended period, it can lead to hair loss.
How can I tell if my hair loss is caused by an underactive thyroid?
We’ve talked before about what’s known as diffuse hair loss. This type of hair loss spreads across the scalp. You’ll notice that your hair is becoming thinner. Sometimes, bald spots may even develop. Hair loss caused by an underactive thyroid can look different for everyone.
Will the hair grow back?
If you're taking the correct dose of thyroid medication, your hair growth will usually return to normal. There are also certain hair growth products that can help with this process. Check out our hair loss category to see our products for treating hair loss.
4) Chemotherapy and Hair Loss
Hair loss is the best-known and most visible side effect of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is actually an umbrella term for the treatment of cancer with so-called cytostatic drugs. Cancer cells divide very rapidly. Cytostatic drugs are medications designed to destroy rapidly dividing cells or slow their growth. Unfortunately, these drugs also affect other healthy cells that divide rapidly. The cells in your hair follicles that are responsible for hair growth are an example of this. This is what causes hair loss after chemotherapy. Chemotherapy affects not only your hair but also your scalp, making it drier and more sensitive. This can lead to flaking. We recommend taking care of your hair with the right hair care products even before starting chemotherapy. Proper hair care ensures that your hair and scalp are in top condition. Choose a sulfate-free shampoo; sulfates can be harsh on hair that’s thinning due to chemo. With some chemotherapy treatments, your hair doesn’t fall out but may become thinner or duller. Your doctor is best able to tell you to what extent you will lose your hair. During chemotherapy, it’s important to treat your hair gently. Don’t wash it too often, and always use a gentle, mild shampoo. If you use a hair dryer, set it to the lowest heat setting. Avoid drying out your hair from sun exposure, hair coloring, or perms. It’s also best to avoid curlers and stiff brushes; opt for a soft brush instead. Hair loss often begins 2 to 3 weeks after the first round of chemotherapy. For some people, hair loss occurs gradually, while for others, hair falls out in large clumps right away. By the time they start their second round of chemotherapy, most people are already wearing a wig or a scarf.
When will the hair grow back?
Your hair will start to grow back after your chemotherapy treatment. For some people, this happens right away; for others, it takes 1 or 2 months. But it’s also possible that your hair will start to grow back even while you’re still undergoing chemotherapy. This often happens just before or during your last round of chemotherapy.
What will the hair look like as it grows back?
Hair that grows back after chemotherapy often looks different at first. The color may have changed (often darker), but the texture may also be different than before. People who had straight hair before chemo may develop curls, or vice versa. Sometimes these changes are temporary, and your original hair will return after a few months to a year. Other times, the changes are permanent. Everyone experiences hair regrowth after chemo differently. Some people find their new hair thicker and coarser, while others find it thinner and weaker. Other factors also influence the texture of your hair, such as hormone therapy used in the treatment of breast cancer.
Shop for shampoos that are free of sulfates and parabens
5) Hair Loss Due to Improper Hair Care
Improper hair care can also lead to hair loss. We often see women experiencing hair loss due to improper hair care. Think of hairstyles that are too tight, harsh chemical treatments—such as coloring or bleaching—the use of relaxers, or hair extensions that are too heavy. Be sure to choose hair care products that make your hair happy. Look for sulfate-free products and those that help prevent hair loss. Brushing your hair too hard can also cause you to lose more hair than usual. Choose a high-quality brush and give your hair a little extra care by using a serum or leave-in conditioner, for example. If you’re experiencing hair loss due to improper hair treatments, your hair has been through a lot. Kérastase, for example, offers a hair serum specifically designed to combat hair loss. This is a strengthening serum for weakened hair that improves its condition and visibly adds volume.
6) Hair Loss Due to Menopause
During menopause, your hair can act up. Thinning hair, hair loss, or hair growing in places you’d rather it didn’t. When you’re going through menopause, estrogen production decreases. Your hair follicles need estrogen for your hair to grow. Due to the decline in estrogen, your hair follicles now have less estrogen available. Your hair will now gradually fall out. Sometimes it can happen suddenly, too. It’s not just the hair on your head that falls out; hair loss can also occur in other areas of the body. Some women lose whole clumps of hair when washing or combing, or even notice bald spots!
Be gentle with your hair. Use a mild, nourishing shampoo that’s free of fragrance and sulfates to wash your hair. Avoid tangles and rough combing. Don’t forget that dyeing your hair—no matter how much you enjoy it—increases the risk of hair loss. Treat yourself to a scalp massage every now and then. This stimulates blood flow to your scalp. Not only does it feel wonderful, but it also promotes hair growth!
7) How can hair vitamins help prevent hair loss?
Many people underestimate the importance of a healthy diet and essential nutrients when it comes to hair growth. These are key factors in promoting healthy, strong hair growth. A deficiency in, for example, iron, vitamin B, silicon, zinc, or omega-3 can already lead to slower hair growth. It can also make your hair less shiny and strong. If these deficiencies aren’t addressed, they can ultimately lead to (severe) hair loss. One vitamin that’s often mentioned is biotin, or vitamin B8. Biotin is used to promote hair growth and helps keep hair strong and healthy. Our Western diet doesn’t always provide the nutrients we need for healthy, strong hair. To support hair growth, it can help to add hair vitamins to your diet. We’re big fans of Oase. Monica Geuze also uses these hair vitamins and loves them. The most important thing is to maintain a balanced diet!
8) Hereditary hair loss
Hereditary hair loss is the most common form of hair loss. Hereditary hair loss is caused by the hormone dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT. This hormone causes the hair follicles to shrink. As a result of this atrophy, hair growth gradually thins to the point where the hair follicles are too weak to produce any more hair. This leads to bald spots on the scalp.
Hereditary Hair Loss in Women
In the Netherlands, approximately 3–6% of women under the age of 30 suffer from hereditary hair loss. Among women over the age of 70, about 1 in 3 experiences hereditary hair loss. Hereditary hair loss in women generally progresses differently than in men. Hereditary hair loss in women can be recognized by the gradual thinning of the hair on the top of the head. Hair loss often begins around the center part and then spreads outward. Unlike men, women rarely develop completely bald patches. The front hairline also usually remains intact. You cannot prevent hereditary hair loss, but you can slow its progression with products containing DHT blockers.
Hereditary Hair Loss in Men
If men are in the early stages of hereditary hair loss, it may help to use hair growth products such as those from Neofollics or Mediceuticals. In our hereditary hair loss category, you’ll find all of our products that can help address this hair problem.
9) Have you been experiencing hair loss since you had COVID-19?
In addition, since the onset of the coronavirus, there’s another factor that can cause hair loss. If you’re experiencing hair loss due to COVID-19, there are also a number of things you can do to combat it. Earlier in this blog, we discussed what’s known as telogen effluvium. This can be caused by COVID-19, which may lead to increased hair loss. It’s incredibly frustrating if you’re dealing with this during or after having COVID-19, but thankfully, it’s not a permanent condition. Once your body recovers from the virus, your hair cycle will return to normal. We’ve also mentioned before that stress can affect hair loss. So try not to worry too much about it, and make sure to get plenty of rest. Also, use products that help prevent hair loss so you experience as little hair loss as possible.
Stimulate Hair Growth with Neofollics
You’ve seen this brand mentioned a few times on this blog, but what exactly is Neofollics, and how does it combat hair loss? The brand focuses on thinning hair and hair loss. Neofollics is an expert in the field of hair loss, and they use their expertise to develop the best and most effective products that stimulate hair growth. The products are high-quality and will help prevent hair loss for both women and men. Neofollics products contain no harmful substances such as SLS, other sulfates, silicones, or parabens.
Order hair care products to prevent hair loss at JohnBeerens.com
After reading this blog post about hair loss, you probably won’t be thinking, “Yes, that’s me.” Fortunately, at JohnBeerens.com, we offer an extensive selection of hair growth products. Keep in mind that your hair loss won’t stop the very next day after you start using hair growth products. The first results usually become visible only after a few weeks to months. Do you want to combat your hair loss? Order the hair care products from us that are right for your hair problem! If you’re still unsure about the cause of your hair loss, always consult your doctor or dermatologist first for the best advice.
