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Causes of Hair Loss: Tight braids or pulled-back hair

Tight braids or pulled-back hair

Though it’s probably a bit more relevant to women, wearing hair in tight braids (like dreadlocks or cornrows) or having your hair tightly pulled back (like in a ponytail) can in fact lead to hair loss — or what is medically known as traction alopecia. It is caused by chronic pulling of the hair, leading to gradual hair loss, mostly at the hairline.

While it’s most commonly seen in African women, it’s also seen in men who wear hairpieces in the same location on the scalp for long periods of time.

Or follow Trichologist Gary Heron advice:

For treatments that work without any side effect read:

• Vitastim Hair Stimulant
• Biostim Hair Stimulant
• Follicle Builder II

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Causes of Hair Loss

Those who have it, love it. Those who don’t, probably miss it. And those who are in the process of losing it, well, they’ll do anything to keep it. We’re talking of course about hair. While it’s easy to blame your parents for your thin hair or balding scalp, not all causes of hair loss trace back to genetics.

You might be surprised to learn that there are dozens of causes of hair loss. And, while some are a little less common than others, it’s still important to understand how you can lose your hair, so you’ll know how to prevent it.

Or follow Trichologist Gary Heron advice:

For treatments that work without any side effect read:

• Vitastim Hair Stimulant
• Biostim Hair Stimulant
• Follicle Builder II

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Sleep and Hair Loss: Is There a Connection?

If your hair has been feeling a little thin lately, here’s something to consider: It might be connected to your sleep patterns.

Hair is very sensitive to changes in body function patterns like sleep, diet and hormones. Prolonged periods of sleep deprivation can manifest in your losing hair. Luckily, this is something that can potentially be reversed just by changing your habits. You should be getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

If, after changing your sleep habits, you find that you’re still experiencing hair loss, you should consult a professional who can analyze your blood and habits more adequately. Hair loss could be caused by other issues like sleep apnea or pattern baldness.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Protein deficiency may cause hair loss

Hair is made up of protein, so a protein deficiency may lead to hair loss. According to Harvard University, most Americans take in adequate protein; however, a deficiency can result from poor absorption. Pregnant women and those who are building muscle with weight training may need additional protein in their diets.

Hair Loss Causes
Hair loss can be caused by a wide variety of other nutritional and medical issues. Hormone problems can cause hair loss, as can deficiencies in numerous vitamins such as vitamin E, vitamin D or vitamin A. Hair loss can also be triggered by prescription drugs such as antibiotics and steroids. Some hair products will cause hair loss, too.

Protein Deficiency Symptoms
Protein deficiency can lead to hair loss or to dry and brittle hair. Anemia and immune suppression are also symptoms, as is depression.

Sources of Protein for Hair Growth
Protein is found in animal sources, such as fish, chicken, pork and turkey. Organic meats and non-farmed fish are advised, as toxins and hormones in conventionally raised animals or farm-raised fish add to the body’s toxic load. Vegetarian sources of protein are found in whole grains, beans, and nuts. Vegetable sources have the added benefit of containing fiber and many vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as antioxidants, which fight free radical damage. While animal proteins are loaded with fat and cholesterol, vegetable sources are low in fat and high in healthy oils, such as peanut oil or almond oil. Rice bran is another low-fat source of vegetable protein.

Nut Proteins Help Grow Hair
Nuts contain protein along with many other healthy nutrients. The Harvard School of Public Health has reported that people who eat nuts on a regular basis have fewer heart attacks. Research published in the Physicians’ Health Study demonstrated that eating a few servings of nuts each week can lower the risk of heart attacks or sudden cardiac deaths by 30 and 50 percent. Nuts contain unsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol as well.

Aging and Hair Growth
Hair growth slows with aging, but adequate nutrition can contribute to maintaining healthy hair growth at any age.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Can heavy weight exercise cause hair loss?

CNNHealth expert doctor answers a viewer question.

Dr. Melina Jampolis, a Physician Nutrition Specialist.
Question asked by Maddy of Boston, Massachusetts:

Can exercising with heavy weights make one lose hair?

Expert answer:

Hi Maddy. According to the American Hair Loss Association, by the age of 35, two-thirds of American men will experience some degree of appreciable hair loss and by 50, some 85 percent suffer from significant hair thinning.

In 25 percent of men, hair loss may begin as early as 21. Ninety-five percent of male pattern baldness, the most common form, is genetic and can be passed down by either parent. Other less common causes or contributors to hair loss include medication, severe and prolonged stress or illness and malnutrition causing severe nutrient deficiencies including protein, zinc, magnesium, calcium and iron. In women, hair loss is common after childbirth, I’m discovering.

To answer your specific question, I turned to Dr. Jeffrey Rawnsley, clinical associate professor of facial and plastic surgery at UCLA and director of the Rawnsley Hair Restoration Clinic.

He explained that testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can shrink hair follicles in genetically susceptible individuals.

However, because of the extended duration of hair growth cycles (three to five years), it is unlikely that this effect would be seen soon after starting a weight lifting program. In addition, weight lifting causes a transient increase in testosterone after each weight lifting session, which is not likely to have a long term effect on hair loss.

On the other hand, weight lifters taking anabolic steroids or supplements designed to increase testosterone levels could see an acceleration of normal male pattern hair loss if they are genetically predisposed. In addition, supplements containing too much vitamin A could contribute to hair loss.

So it is very unlikely that your weight lifting program is contributing to hair loss. More likely, your hair has been thinning over time and you are beginning to notice as a critical level has been reached, usually about 50 percent, according to Rawnsley.

If you are very concerned, you may want to consider Propecia, a popular treatment for hair loss, which blocks the formation of DHT and can slow or even reverse hair loss in some cases.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help