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Why We Lose Hair & How to Prevent It

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A thick, luscious, shiny crowning glory is a dream for all of us. Beautiful hair not only enhances your looks but can also boost your confidence. Biologically intended to be a source of protection against the elements, retaining body heat and even acting as camouflage, hair has been associated with power, virility, vigour, and youth. So it is understandable that the very thought of hair fall can send your confidence plummeting.

Hair loss is a natural phenomenon that affects everyone. However, the degree may vary depending on age, lifestyle, and diet. Though men are twice as likely to be affected by hair fall as women, thinning hair is one of the greatest worries for women.

We lose approximately 100-150 hairs per day, and this is normal. But women rarely discuss hair loss and associated anxiety openly, leading to numerous misconceptions. A recent research by Dove has revealed that over 75% of hair fall occurs at the root. Hair fall at the root is relatively unchartered territory since most cosmetic treatments tackle hair breakage further down the shaft.

Androgenic alopecia is the most common type of hair fall in both sexes. About 10% of premenopausal women are affected by it. This number rises steeply to between 50 and 75% in postmenopausal women or those who above 65. Additionally, chemical, hot-comb, and traction alopecia afflict many African-American women. Frequent use of relaxers and tightly rolling the hair in curlers eventually takes its toll.

Early signs of alopecia include thinning hair on the scalp, receding hairline and a horseshoe-shaped pattern that exposes the crown of the head in men. For women, hair loss presents itself through general thinning of the hair especially around the crown of the head. While genetics accounts for a majority of hair fall or baldness cases, certain illnesses, medications and lifestyle habits have been known to trigger and aggravate the problem.

Here’s what you should do:
• Condition your hair after every wash - showering your hair with some serious TLC will go a long way towards ensuring it stays where it should.
• Wet hair is most vulnerable, so be gentle with it. When towel drying, press, dab and gently squeeze your hair dry instead of rubbing vigorously, which can cause damage, breakage and hair loss
• A wide-tooth comb is your best friend to detangle wet hair, accompanied with a leave-in conditioner and detangling spray for extra care
• What and how you eat will reflect on your head. Crash diets may help shrink your waistline, but it’s a shortcut to thin hair. Excessive dieting can deprive you of the nutrients and vitamins essential for healthy hair.
• Protect your hair against anything that might cause it to break – thermal styling, perms and chemical treatments. If necessary, pamper your locks afterwards with an Intense Repair Conditioner.

Most importantly, avoid stress. So make sure you find time to chill out and put your feet up (it's a good excuse anyway)! Don’t lose hair over your mane. Instead work towards taking the right steps to keep your hair healthy, bouncy and shining!


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