As we age, the condition of our hair will often deteriorate. This is most obvious in men, but it’s something that women might worry about, too. Fortunately, there are ways to minimise the problem by caring for your hair in the right way, using the right products. Eating and drinking the right things can be helpful, too.
Let’s look at the phenomenon of hair loss, and exactly how to fight it.
Understanding Hair Loss: Causes and Prevalence
The first thing to understand is that everyone’s hair falls out. Most people lose around a hundred hairs every day. These are usually replaced by new strands – but sometimes, they’re not.
NHS statistics indicate that around 8 million women in the UK experience hair loss of some kind. Research from Harvard concurs, claiming that around a third of women will have to deal with the problem at some point.
The driving factors behind hair loss can be complex. Hormonal changes can make it more likely, as can stress caused by work or home life. In some cases, there are genetic risk factors – some families are naturally less likely to keep their hair as life goes on.
The Role of Vitamins in Hair Health
If your body doesn’t have the right raw materials, it won’t be able to replace the hairs that you’re losing – and the hair growth you do get might be more fragile and dull. Specifically, there are number of key micronutrients to focus on.
Vitamin D helps to build the cells that eventually make up follicles. Iron helps to transport blood to your scalp, which is critical for early growth, while vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron in your food. Biotin (vitamin B7) and vitamin E can also be helpful.
But, as researchers at Harvard note, excessive supplementation can actually be counterproductive. Take too much selenium, or too much vitamin A, and you might end up accelerating the hair loss.
Quality hair loss vitamins tend to be preferable to the more general-purpose alternatives, as they are formulated to support hair growth while minimising unwanted side-effects.
Incorporating Hair-Healthy Vitamins into Your Diet
Instead of supplementing, you might look to incorporate certain key components into your diet. You can get iron, for example, from red meat, chicken and fish – or through spinach, lentils and leafy green vegetables. Omega-3 fats might be found in pumpkin and chia seeds, walnuts and oily fish. Zinc and selenium, meanwhile, are abundant in cereals and nuts.
Recent Developments in Hair Loss Treatments
Recently, there have been encouraging developments in the world of pharmaceuticals. Ritlectitinib, which is sold under the brand name Litfulo, has recently been recommended by Nice for the treatment of alopecia in adults. In severe cases, this might be the right way forward.
