What To Do If Hair Falls Out

Content:

• The structure of the hair follicle, the causes of hair loss.
• Normal and pathological hair loss, alopecia.
• Diagnosis for hair loss.
• A complete diet for maintaining beautiful and healthy hair, an example of a menu for 3 days.
• Procedures and folk remedies for hair loss.

Each hair has three parts:

• epidermal - this is a rod with three layers - cuticle, cortex (cortical substance) and core (medulla);
• subcutaneous - a follicle, which consists of membranes (inner and outer) and a glandular complex (sebaceous and sweat glands);
• matrix - this is the bottom of the bulb, in which there is a papilla with capillaries. This part is responsible for the growth of new hair.

Hair is 80-85% protein, alpha-keratin, 10-15% water, 4-6% lipids. The cuticle consists of thin plates overlapping one another; it fits tightly around the cortex, protecting it. And on top of the cuticle lies a lipid layer, which includes fatty acids (oleic, palmitic, stearic) and wax esters.

Each hair is a separate small “organ” that has its own innervation, blood supply and muscles (each hair has its own muscle that lifts it). There are four life phases of the hair growth cycle:

• rest - the hair follicle is sleeping;
• anagen - the phase of active growth, lasts from 1 to 10 years (in women, hair grows faster than in men);
• catagen - stopping the nutrition of the hair and stopping its growth;
• telogen - hair falls out, the hair follicle rests.

The amount of hair is determined genetically, it cannot be influenced in any way. Fair-haired people usually have more hair, but they are thin and soft, while dark-haired people have less, but they are stronger, thicker and shiny.

Each hair is programmed for about 25 growth cycles, that is, about 25 hairs can grow from the same bulb in a lifetime. With age, all processes in the body slow down, the duration of the growth phase is reduced, the hair becomes thinner and weaker.

Hair is not a vital "organ", so the hair follicles are nourished according to the residual principle. Any problems in the body, whether it be diseases or deficient conditions, inevitably affect the condition of the hair.

Causes of Hair Loss

1. Deficiencies:

• iron, B vitamins, vitamin C, minerals zinc, magnesium, selenium, iodine play an important role in ensuring normal hair growth;
• protein is a building material;
• Fats provide the body with vitamins A, D, E, and K, and help absorb other fat-soluble elements.

Deficiencies are not the only problem of modern man. Against the backdrop of an acute shortage of essential nutrients, we have a surplus (excess) of elements completely alien to our ecosystem that help satisfy emotional hunger. These include: sugar, fructose and simple carbohydrates, trans fats, refined foods, preservatives, and a simple chronic calorie surplus.

2. Violation of the digestive tract. Decreased acidity of the stomach, violation of bile flow and the balance of intestinal microflora affect the quality of assimilation of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals necessary for hair growth.

3. Hormonal imbalance:

• the predominance of androgens (male sex hormones) causes baldness, especially in the parietal region;
• a decrease in estrogen levels, for example in menopause, provokes hair loss;
• a decrease in the production of thyroid hormones makes the hair dull and brittle, causing alopecia.

4. Chronic stress depletes the amino acid reserves of the body, increases the need for vitamins and minerals, and “robs” the body.

5. Vasospasm. The blood circulation of the hair follicles can be disturbed due to temperature shock (sudden temperature changes), excessive physical exertion, smoking, lack of sleep, various cardiovascular, nervous diseases, and most importantly, due to a sedentary lifestyle.

6. Intoxication of the body with heavy metals, micro mold. Toxic substances from aggressive and poor-quality hair dyes, water, aluminum utensils, moldy air conditioners and rooms accumulate in the hair follicles, causing accelerated hair loss.

Normal hair loss and deficiencies symptom

Hair loss is a natural process. Normally, up to 100 hairs per day can fall out (up to 150 during the change of seasons or recovery from illness). But if microcirculation is disturbed, there are multiple deficiencies and chronic stress, old hair begins to fall out ahead of time, literally crumbles, and new ones do not have enough resources for full growth.

Signs of excessive hair loss:

• shreds of hair with bulbs remain on the comb;
• the drain in the bath is clogged after each shampoo;
• the width of the gap increases.

Alopecia is a partial or complete loss of hair on the head or torso. Alopecia happens:

• androgenetic (male-pattern baldness) - thinning of hair, leading in men to baldness in the parietal and frontal regions, thinning of hair over the entire surface of the head.

In this case, androgens contribute to the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, it binds to the dermal papillae and disrupts the production of factors that determine the division of hair stem cells. This prevents the follicles from reproducing and blocks their growth. The hair on the head remains, but becomes thin, soft and colorless, like fluff, and can no longer cover the scalp. Over the years, the mouths of the follicles become overgrown with connective tissue and lose the ability to grow even vellus hair;

• diffuse - uniform hair loss over the entire surface of the head due to a failure of hormonal cycles. It occurs in both sexes, but more often there is a strong prolapse in women.

The reasons may be chronic stress, inadequate diet and micronutrient deficiencies, previous infections or surgical interventions, long-term use of antibiotics and other drugs (anticonvulsants, H2 receptor blockers, anticoagulants), endocrine disorders. Most often, there are several causes, which complicates the course of the disease. Unlike androgenetic alopecia, diffuse alopecia does not contribute to the death of follicles, so hair growth can be restored within 3–9 months if the cause is eliminated and various hair growth stimulants are used;

• focal (nested) - an autoimmune disease in which the human immune system attacks its own hair root system.

Factors that activate genes that trigger the autoimmune process are stress, past infections, antibiotic therapy, and others;

• cicatricial - damage to hair follicles and their replacement with connective tissue. The cause may be various infections or physical injuries, burns.

This type of alopecia is treated only surgically - transplantation of follicles from healthy areas of the head or body.

What to do if the hair falls out a lot?

Diagnostics for hair loss

There are both hardware and laboratory methods for diagnosing hair loss. Hardware includes:

• trichoscopy - examination of the scalp with a special device equipped with magnifying optics. Using this method, you can determine the type of scalp, hair, size of the hair follicle, diagnose dermatological diseases, determine the degree of hair loss. This method has no contraindications;
• phototrichogram - examination of the scalp with a trichoscope followed by computer processing in a special program with automatic digital analysis. Using this research method, it is possible to determine the average hair growth rate, the percentage of hair in the stage of growth and loss, and to diagnose androgenetic and diffuse alopecia in the early stages.

Laboratory diagnostics is a blood test. The required tests and their optimal values ​​are listed below. If, after the examination, deviations are found in you, it is recommended to contact a specialized specialist.

Iron panel:

• hemoglobin - reference for women 120–140 g/l, for men 130–160 g/l;
• RBC (erythrocytes) - reference for women 3.9-4.7 tera / l, for men 4-5.1 tera / l;
• MCV (mean cell volume) - reference for all 81-100 fl;
• MCH (hemoglobin content in the erythrocyte) - optimal for all 27–34 pg;
• RDW (erythrocyte distribution width by volume) - 12-15%;
• ferritin - the optimal value is equal to the ideal weight in kilograms;
• transferrin - the norm is 2–3.6 g / l, the middle of the reference is optimal.

How to assume the presence of iron deficiency without analysis using a special questionnaire? Download the guide "Diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia"

Vitamins and minerals:

• vitamin D - 80-100 ng / ml;
• vitamin A - the middle of the reference and above 0.325–0.78 μg / ml;
• vitamin E - the middle of the reference and above 5.5-17 mcg / ml;
• vitamin B12 - 600 and above;
• zinc - above 13 µmol / l;
• copper - the middle of the reference and above.

Thyroid:

• TSH - 1-2 mIU / l;
• T4 free - from the middle of the reference;
• T3 free - the middle of the reference.

Stress hormones:

• morning cortisol - 450-500 mmol / l;
• DHEA - mid-reference and above.

sex hormones:

• testosterone is the top of the reference;
• estradiol - 330 pmol / l in the follicular phase;
• prolactin is the middle of the reference.

A complete diet for maintaining beautiful and healthy hair, an example of a menu for 3 days

A complete diet is the key to maintaining health in general and beautiful and thick hair in particular. To grow and maintain the health of a gorgeous head of hair, you need a lot of vitamins, minerals and macronutrients that a person receives from food. With their deficiency, the hair becomes dry, dull and brittle, and begins to fall out. Let's list what you need to pay attention to when compiling a diet.

Sufficient amount of protein. Hair is a protein structure, and with a protein deficiency in the diet, the body will not have the building material for hair. The norm of protein per day is 1 g per 1 kg of body weight. First of all, hair needs cysteine, methionine, lysine, arginine, tyrosine, histidine. Add foods rich in essential amino acids to your diet, such as lean poultry, beef, organ meats, lamb, rabbit, fish (both white and red), eggs. Do not forget about vegetable sources of protein - certain types of cereals, legumes, nuts.

*Important!

The normal amount of protein on the menu does not guarantee that all of this protein is absorbed by your body. For high-quality assimilation of protein, the coordinated work of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, sufficient acidity of the stomach and the enzymatic activity of the pancreas are necessary. For better absorption of protein from animal sources, it is recommended to marinate meat in lemon juice or vinegar for at least 2 hours, fish for at least 40 minutes, and soak vegetable sources (legumes, nuts, seeds) in warm water with lemon juice for at least 8 hours .

Complete fats. Fats are essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K, which play a key role in maintaining healthy hair. Fatty acids include omega-3 - it is involved in the construction of cell membranes of the hair, improves blood microcirculation, has an anti-inflammatory effect and prevents the negative effects of the environment. The norm of fat consumption is 1 g per 1 kg of body weight. Sources of fats - eggs, fish from natural reservoirs, ghee, butter, nuts, seeds, avocados, olives, unrefined vegetable oils.

Not all fats are the same. Trans fats found in fast food, industrial sweets, hydrogenated vegetable oils, are embedded in cell membranes, making them brittle and disrupting their ability to perform their functions, which can lead to cell death.

Fats are very demanding on storage conditions - they quickly oxidize in air and in the light, so it is recommended to store sources of fats in dark, cool places not for too long.

Vitamins and minerals are the keys to all reactions in the human body, so you should choose foods with a good vitamin and mineral composition. Below are the most important micronutrients for hair growth, as well as their sources:

• iron - is involved in the supply of oxygen to all cells of the body. Found in oysters, red meat, offal, beans, spinach, beets, potatoes;
• iodine is a structural component of thyroid hormones, regulates protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, water and electrolyte balance. Contained in feijoa, seaweed, squid, cod;
• copper - is involved in the production of collagen and elastin, promotes the absorption of other minerals (for example, iron). Found in liver, cocoa, whole grains, meat, avocados;
• magnesium - participates in 300 metabolic processes and promotes cell division. Contained in sesame, cashew, sunflower seeds, greens;
• selenium - protects cells from damage by free radicals, neutralizes the action of heavy metals, slows down the aging process. Found in Brazil nuts, mustard seeds, chicken eggs;
• calcium - promotes hair growth, prevents hair loss. Contained in sesame, parmesan, dried parsley, garlic, hazelnuts, cottage cheese;
• Zinc plays an important role in skin regeneration, hair and nail growth, and secretion of sebaceous glands. Contained in oysters, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, nuts, chocolate, pomegranate, berries, dates;
• silicon - ensures the stability of the connective tissue and enhances its resistance, is responsible for the elasticity, resilience and strength of blood vessels, skin, hair, nails. Contained in buckwheat and unpolished rice, strawberries, soybeans, root crops, bell peppers, pumpkin, parsnips;
• manganese - is necessary for the metabolism of proteins, lipids and amino acids, the absorption of vitamins C, E, group B depends on it, affects the growth and formation of new cells. Found in grains, nuts, beets, broccoli, pineapple;
• vitamin A - moisturizes the scalp, protects the hair from overdrying, prevents dandruff. Contained in cod liver, goose, duck, beef, pork liver, carrots, sweet potatoes;
• vitamin E - is involved in the regulation of the sebaceous glands, can stimulate proliferation (cell division). Found in almonds, papaya, kiwi, sunflower seeds, kale and spinach;
• vitamin C - a hair growth stimulator, promotes the production of collagen, takes part in the transport of oxygen. Contained in Bulgarian pepper, coriander, parsley, spinach, lemon peel, kiwi, kale;
• B vitamins - seeds, offal, greens (tarragon, oregano, cilantro), seafood, spirulina, fish, legumes;
• vitamin D - stimulates hair follicles and activates the cells of the hair shaft. Contained in fish oil, cocoa butter and powder, herring, tuna, sardines, yolks, cereals, mushrooms.

*Important!

The absorption of vitamins and minerals occurs mainly in the small intestine, so its condition directly affects the health of the hair. To maintain the intestinal microbiome, follow some rules:

• reduce the consumption of gluten, sugar, flour products, alcohol, preservatives and flavor enhancers - this will restrain the growth of pathogenic microbiota;
• eat more probiotics (fermented foods) and prebiotics (vegetables, greens);
• drink enough clean water (normally 30 ml per 1 kg of body weight).

In modern conditions, even with a full-fledged diet, deficiencies may occur, since products on store shelves are poor in vitamins and microelements. What can be done in this case? You can fortify your diet with good quality nutraceuticals, such as:

• marine collagen with vitamin C,
• vitamin D in the form of cholecalciferol,
• vitamin A in the form of retinol palmitate,
• a complex of amino acids (if there is not enough protein in your diet),
• b vitamins,
• omega-3.

*Contact a nutritionist for dosage and duration of administration.

Procedures and folk remedies for hair loss

Modern cosmetology offers a wide range of procedures (hardware, injection and cosmetic) that promise to stop hair loss and stimulate hair growth. All procedures are good in their own way, but if you do not act on the body from the inside and do not look for the cause of the loss, none of these procedures will have a long-term effect. Consider the most popular procedures with good reviews.

1. Darsonvalization is a physiotherapeutic method that improves tissue respiration, accelerates regenerative processes in the skin and hair, and improves microcirculation and cellular metabolism. The purpose of the procedure is the formation of strong hair follicles. Does not require long-term preparation, does not cause allergic reactions. One procedure takes 10 minutes, it is recommended to carry out a course treatment of 25-30 procedures daily 3-4 times a year. Like any procedure, darsonvalization has a number of contraindications, such as cancer, pregnancy and lactation, individual intolerance to electrical impulses, mental illness, rosacea in the affected area, exacerbation of chronic diseases, infections of various etiologies. The device "Darsonval" can be used at home as for hair, and for the face and body - the device is multifunctional. The cost of the device is from 3000 rubles.
2. Laser therapy - exposure to low-frequency laser beams that penetrate the scalp by 6–8 mm. The procedure lasts no more than 30 minutes. As a result, blood circulation improves, hair follicles are better supplied with oxygen, hair loss is reduced, hair grows faster, stronger and stronger. The following problems are also solved: excessive oiliness of the scalp, itching, dandruff. It is recommended to undergo a course of treatment, 8-15 procedures, 1-2 per week. The cost of one procedure is from 1500 rubles (in Moscow). There are contraindications, a doctor's consultation is required.
3. Plasmolifting is an injection procedure designed to stop hair loss, strengthen and awaken dormant bulbs. First, a person takes blood from a vein - about 50 ml. To separate the plasma, the blood is placed in a centrifuge, and then the doctor microinjects it into the scalp. This procedure is safe and does not cause allergic reactions. New hairs appear already after 1-2 procedures, a significant reduction in hair loss is observed after 2-3 procedures. Effective in the fight against dandruff. Cost - from 6000 rubles (in Moscow). It is recommended to undergo this procedure 3 times a year to maintain the result.
4. Mesotherapy is an injection procedure during which vitamins, minerals, amino acids, peptides, hair growth stimulants are injected under the skin. The composition of the mesococktail is determined by the doctor after consultation and diagnosis. Hair becomes stronger, hair loss is reduced. It is recommended to carry out treatment in courses of 4-5 procedures with a frequency of 10-14 days.

There are proven home methods to improve hair growth and prevent hair loss. It is only necessary to monitor the body's reaction to each component of home care in order to avoid allergies.

Top 3 warming masks for hair loss and to stimulate hair growth

The action of these masks is based on a warming effect, which improves blood flow, and with it oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles.

Mustard - Mix 1 tablespoon of dry mustard powder with 1 tablespoon of water, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 egg yolk. Apply to the scalp, the remains can be distributed along the length of the hair. Wrap with polyethylene and a warm towel to create a greenhouse effect. Wash off after 20 minutes.

Pepper - mix one yolk, 1 tablespoon of wheat germ oil and 1 tablespoon of hot pepper tincture, apply the mixture for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Onion - 3 onions chop until gruel, mix with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of burdock oil. Apply the mixture on the scalp, cover with plastic wrap and cover with a warm towel. Wash off after 30 minutes with cool water with lemon juice (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water) so that no unpleasant odor remains.

*Important! If the burning sensation becomes too strong when using warming masks, do not be patient! Rinse off the composition immediately to avoid negative consequences.

Top 3 vitamin masks for hair growth

The action of these masks is explained by the delivery of nutrients to the hair follicles. The main ingredient of these masks is nicotinic acid, which promotes blood flow to the surface of the scalp and vasodilation. Due to this effect, all other substances of the mask penetrate better to the follicles, strengthening them. Coconut, olive, linseed, almond, jojoba, wheat germ can be used as base oils.

All ingredients are mixed, slightly heated to body temperature or slightly higher, applied to the scalp and distributed over the strands. A greenhouse effect is created using polyethylene and a warm towel. Withstand 30–60 minutes, rinse with warm water in several stages until the oil is completely washed off.

Vitamin mask No. 1 - 1 tablespoon of base oil + 1 ampoule of nicotinic acid + 2 capsules of the Aevit vitamin complex (pharmacy).

Vitamin Mask No. 2 – 1 tablespoon of base oil + 1 ampoule of nicotinic acid + 1 ampoule of thiamine + 1 ampoule of vitamin C.

Vitamin Mask No. 3 - 1 tablespoon of base oil + 1 ampoule of nicotinic acid + 5 drops of vitamin D.

The solution to the problem of hair loss must be comprehensive! Only if you follow the rules of nutrition, as well as the selection of a nutraceutical scheme and proper care, you can achieve a lasting result.