Hair loss remains a very common concern today. Many people complain of this phenomenon, which leads to numerous consultations with dermatologists, hairdressers and medical personnel. Hair loss worries many people, creates discomfort, embarrassment, shame, anxiety and even sadness. As proof, it is one of the first questions we ask after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Hair loss affects more than 80% of men and 50% of women during their lifetime. But what causes this fall?
Let's first stop to understand the life cycle of our hair. A hair can live up to eight years. Normally, a new hair replaces the one that falls out. In some people, the hair falls out and does not grow back. For others, the hair that grows back gets thinner and thinner until it never grows back. Three phases make up the hair life cycle:
- The anagen phase, a growth period of three to eight years. The hair bulb is full of life in its hair follicle.
- The catagen phase, that of degradation which lasts 15 to 20 days. During this phase, the hair is said to be between life and death. The hair bulb then rises towards the surface of the scalp. The growth of the hair is interrupted and it waits for the arrival of a new hair before falling out.
- The telogen phase, which represents the moment of rest. The hair is then dead and ready to fall out. This process lasts two to three months, which is the time required for a new hair to be strong enough to dislodge the dead one.
There are two periods of the year when hair loss is more severe, in the fall and in the spring. By the time this article is published, the autumn equinox will have begun (end of September to end of November) which means for many people, a little more intense hair loss. Just like trees losing their leaves, the human body adapts to the biological rhythm of nature. You should know that the bulb present in the hair follicle represents its root and that the latter is nourished by blood. In the fall, the blood leaves the surface of the body slightly to migrate towards the organs. This results in demineralization since the blood contains and carries minerals and nutrients essential to our tissues, our skin and our scalp. This explains the appearance during this period of a greater frequency of itchy scalp, dandruff, dry hair and hair loss.
This seasonal phenomenon is not the only cause of hair loss. The most common factors are fatigue, stress, diet, medication, chemical coloring, hormonal changes, vitamin excess and mineral deficiency. And be aware that hair loss begins two to three months after the onset of one of these factors or causes.
It is normal to lose 25 to 40 hairs per day. This loss can even amount to 60 during certain seasons. However, beyond this number, if the period of loss proves to be long, it is important to consult a trichology technician, a doctor or a dermatologist.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, hair depends on the energy of the kidney, this organ that supports us during the elimination process. As the kidneys and lungs work together to fulfill their role, you need to eat a healthy diet and clean air to get beautiful hair. This ancestral medicine also links hair loss to fear, to the fear of losing something, to the fear of losing someone, to the fear of growing old, etc.
Washing your hair frequently does not cause more hair loss if you use quality natural products. And no longer brushing your hair or barely touching it when washing causes the opposite effect. Hair that should fall out will fall out anyway. Not touching it makes the situation worse because the hair needs nourishment and care. By brushing more often, massaging the scalp or pulling a large handful of hair, we stimulate blood circulation which, remember, provides nourishment to the hair bulb. The energy cut is also a good choice to stimulate blood circulation.
In summary, to reduce or avoid hair loss, you must adopt good maintenance products, stimulate blood circulation, adopt a healthy lifestyle and consult if necessary. Finally, we will take care to give ourselves more rest during the fall and winter to come back strong with new energy in the spring and summer.
Article appeared in the magazine Le Monde au Naturel