Hair thinning is a result of hair loss. Both men and women suffer from hair thinning. It could be a hereditary or lifestyle factor. The key to overcoming hair loss and hair thinning is practising the right habits and lifestyle. To know how to overcome this hair problem, we need to better understand what are the chief causes of hair thinning, these include:
1.Aging
With aging, most people notice some hair loss because hair growth slows. At some point, hair follicles stop growing hair, which causes the hair on our scalp to thin. Hair also starts to lose its color. A woman’s hairline naturally starts to recede.
2. Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a disease that develops when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles (what holds the hair in place), causing hair loss. You can lose hair anywhere on your body, including your scalp, inside your nose, and in your ears. Some people lose their eyelashes or eyebrows.
3. Cancer
If you receive chemotherapy or have radiation treatment to your head or neck, you may lose all (or most of) your hair within a few weeks of starting treatment.
4. Childbirth, illness and other stressors
A few months after giving birth, recovering from an illness, or having an operation, you may notice a lot more hairs in your brush or on your pillow. This can also happen after a stressful time in your life, such as a divorce or death of a loved one.
5. Haircare
If you colour, perm, or relax your hair, you could be damaging your hair. Over time, this damage can lead to hair loss.
6. Tight hairstyles
If you often wear your hair tightly pulled back, the continual pulling can lead to permanent hair loss. The medical name for this condition is traction alopecia.
7. Hormonal imbalance
A common cause of this imbalance is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It leads to cysts on a woman’s ovaries, along with other signs and symptoms, which can include hair loss. Stopping some types of birth control pills can cause a temporary hormonal imbalance. Women who develop a hormonal imbalance can develop thinning hair (or hair loss) on their scalp.
8. Scalp infections
A scalp infection can lead to scaly and sometimes inflamed areas on your scalp. You may see what look like small black dots on your scalp. These are actually stubs of hair. Some people develop a bald spot.
9. Taking medications
A possible side effect of some medications is hair loss. If you think a medication is causing your hair loss, ask the doctor who prescribed it if hair loss is a possible side effect. It’s essential that you do not stop taking the medication before talking with your doctor. Abruptly stopping some medications can cause serious health problems.
10. Scalp psoriasis
Many people who have plaque psoriasis develop psoriasis on their scalp at some point. This can lead to hair loss.
11. Sexually Transmitted Infections
Left untreated, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can lead to hair loss. Syphilis is such an STI. Left untreted, syphilis can cause patchy hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, beard, and elsewhere. Other STIs can also cause hair loss.
12. Thyroid disease
!f you have a problem with your thyroid, you may see thinning hair. Some people notice that their hair comes out in clumps when they brush it.
13. Not enough hair nutrients
If you’re not getting enough of one or more of biotin, iron, protein, or zinc, you can have noticeable hair loss.
14. Friction
People can develop hair loss where boots, socks, or tight clothing frequently rubs against their skin. The medical term for this is frictional alopecia.