We've seen a lot of our clients coming in concerned about the amount of hair loss they are experiencing, because of Covid, stress, hormones or diet imbalance. So we thought we start a weekly series to shed some light on the causes of hair loss as well as what you might do about it. If you're not finding value in this information, maybe you can pass it along to a friend that might be going through this. Hair loss not only affects our appearance, but it plays a big role in how we feel about ourselves. It is completely normal to shed 50-100 strands per day, but once you notice progressive hair loss such as your part widening, hairline receding near your temples, or finer, thinner hair… you may need to look a little closer. You are born with about 100,000 individual hair follicles on your head. While you never actually gain or lose any… the ability of those follicles to grow and maintain thick, healthy hair may be interrupted or diminish over time. It is estimated that over 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss and thinning, usually beginning in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. However, that is not always the case as there are several contributing factors such as genetics, stress, clogged follicles, nutrition, scalp health, hormonal shifts, and overexposure to chemical services. The science of hair loss can be complex, but the solution doesn’t have to be. Understanding the cycle of hair growth, the major culprits of hair loss, and how to catch it early will give you a path to help prevent, slow, down, and even reverse the effects of hair loss.
Settling the Score on 14 Common Hair Loss Myths Myths are stories based on tradition. Some are based in truth and some are completely fictional and we’ve heard it all! From secret superfoods claiming to magically grow hair faster to wondering if wearing hats can cause our hair to fall out… There is no lack of snake oil filled with empty promises when it comes to hair loss and we are here to settle the score. Are these common hair loss myths based on truth or complete farce? Some may surprise you.
Causes for hair loss in women differ from causes in men… right? FALSE! There are multiple reasons and factors that can affect hair loss, including hormones, diet, scalp health and, of course, genetics. However, the most common cause of hair loss in BOTH men and women is a genetic sensitivity to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which causes the hair follicle to shrink in a process called miniaturization. While genetic hair loss may start in men earlier, DHT is the main culprit in both men and women.
Did you get it from your mama? Does hair loss come from the mother’s genetics? Myth = Busted. It was believed for decades that genetic hair loss stems from the mother’s side of the family. But, there are about 200 genes regulating hair and hair growth. So, it’s not always your mom’s genes causing your hair loss. Instead of playing the “blame game” - watching out for early signs and seeking treatment quickly is the best solution.
Are Minoxidil and Finasteride the only effective treatments? FALSE! While finasteride and minoxidil are the only FDA approved treatments for hair growth, they are certainly not the only effective remedies and even have some listed side effects that may be undesirable. Nature is a powerful thing. Plant-based, natural alternatives are now available that effectively help combat DHT and create optimal scalp health to encourage healthy hair growth (with no side effects). For example, the ProAmino Cell Complex combines 3 different plant-based technologies together to offer the best of the clinical and botanical worlds.
Will vitamins make my hair grow back?
A little bit of both!? There are a lot of supplements that try to claim they can stimulate hair growth and there have been some studies out there that state certain superfoods can help improve your hair thickness, shine, and appearance. While we can’t be certain of individual vitamins, minerals, or herbs having profound results - we know one thing...
Certain nutrient deficiencies, such as iron, zinc, and vitamin D, can absolutely lead to hair loss. But what about hair growth? We know that eating a healthy diet has effects on your entire system, including your hair. You are constantly growing hair and it needs a consistent supply of essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins to grow healthy, thick hair. An antioxidant rich diet with Vitamins A, C, and E makes these nutrients available to the hair roots while B-vitamins and Biotin help healthy hair grow. Herbal blends of Noni, Fo-Ti, and Horsetail also have promising benefits. Eufora Thickening Nutritional Support Vitamins helps provide the right balance of nutrients, minerals, and a unique herbal blend to encourage healthy hair, skin, and nails.
Stress is causing my hair to fall out! Maybe?! While it may not be the sole cause, stress can certainly play a role in your hair’s thickness, health, and hair loss. The good news is it is mostly temporary. When we are stressed, we don’t sleep or eat well and our bodies are on heightened alert. So, we can see as a side effect, hair thinning is a reaction to stress and how we are treating our bodies. However, traumatic stressful events can trigger a certain type of hair loss that alters the growth cycle of the hair follicle.
Are your ponytails, cornrows, and tight tension hairstyles causing hair loss? Loosen up. Don’t be so uptight! Because yes... tight ponytails, braids, weaves, extensions, cornrows and even buns can affect your scalp when it’s pulled back with excessive force. Continued tension can damage your follicles and lead to traction alopecia over time. Pulling on the hair repeatedly loosens the hair shaft and leads to permanent damage and scarring. Individual strands become weak and break off, reducing overall hair volume. The damage can be reversed but if the pulling and tension continues, your hair loss can be permanent.
Do Hats = Hair Loss? Good news! Wearing hats will not cause progressive hair loss. However, wearing your hat too tight can cause loss of blood flow and fresh oxygen to the follicles. Similar to wearing your hair too tight in a ponytail, you don’t want a hat too tight or restrictive, either.
Are bad product ingredients leading to hair loss? Complicated! This one is a bit more complex, as there are certainly some ingredients, formulations, and chemical services that can lead to hair loss. For example, petrolatum and mineral oil can clog and suffocate the follicle and prevent it from producing healthy hair growth. Creating a breathable and healthy scalp environment is essential. The good news is even if you’ve over-processed your hair or treated it less than stellar… unless permanent damage is done to the follicle, it is most likely reversible. If brittle, damaged hair is your concern… explore the Eufora Beautifying Elixirs promise to repair damage from over-processing and chemical services.
Do I have to sacrifice my color to keep my hair? No! You can absolutely still color your hair as long as you maintain a healthy hair and scalp environment, which depends on the treatment and how you protect your hair. In fact, a great cut and color by a professional colorist can help you make the most of what you have. A trained professional can direct volume to the right places for a thicker, fuller look and help provide cover to any thinning areas. You never want to over process because chemical services can weaken or damage the hair causing breakage. Make sure to always see a professional hair stylist for professional services, as they can create a customized cut, color, and style to make the most of what you’ve got!
Do hot tools lead to a hot (hairless) mess? BUSTED! Some things are NOT meant to withstand heat, including our hair. If you are using hot tools and styling tools a lot with high temperatures, you can cause breakage from the heat, but it will not actually cause thinning or hair loss. Too much heat is a bad thing. Before you apply any heat to your hair, make sure you use products like EuforaStyle Thermal Defense Prep on wet hair or EuforaStyle Retain on dry hair before placing heat to your hair. You want to ensure that you protect the hair from the heat. Also, turn down the heat. It doesn’t have to be so hot. Use your tools on either the lower or middle settings, never on the hottest settings.
Does rough brushing/tugging lead to hair loss? Here's the deal! Besides heat styling tools, excessive force while brushing or combing through your hair may cause the hair to break. If your tangles are getting too hard to manage… use Eufora Nourish Fortifi Keratin Repair or Eufora Beautifying Elixirs Leave-In Repair Treatment before you brush/comb it out. Remember… always start at the ends of your hair and work your way up. This will help prevent you from ripping through any knots or matted areas.
Does washing your hair make it grow faster? Unfortunately, washing your hair doesn’t help it grow any faster, or for you to lose any less. In general, it is normal to lose 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. Washing your hair is essential to help cleanse the scalp for healthy hair growth. To combat any dryness or to add some additional nourishing oils - introduce the highly absorbent unique oil complex, Eufora Nourish Beautifying Serum to your scalp care regimen.
My hair can always grow back… right? It might! It depends on the type of hair loss you are experiencing and how early you catch it. For example: It may be possible to prevent, slow down, or even reverse DHT related hair loss. Unfortunately, there is a point of no return! Once the follicle is permanently damaged (a process called follicle atrophy) there is no chance of reviving it. This is why it is extremely important treat hair loss as early as possible. An easy way to tell if an area on your scalp has experienced follicle atrophy is to look for “shiny” spots on the scalp.
What's important - Never underestimate the power of a great haircut. For fine and thin hair - a haircut can make a world of difference in making your hair look thicker and fuller. Regardless of how many haircuts you get per year, your hair will grow at the same rate. It may grow faster in the summer vs. the winter, depending on healthy blood flow. While an actual hair cut doesn’t make hair grow back thicker or faster… practicing proper scalp health can. Encouraging circulation by gently exfoliating the scalp can promote retention and natural thickness and density or hair growth. Using a Scalp Massager Shower Brush during your cleansing process is the perfect time to add some luxury to your scalp regimen. Who doesn’t need a little TLC?!