How to prevent hair loss in autumn?

Autumn is coming and many people are distressed when they comb their hair in the morning. Faced with the mirror, they see that their hair is falling out more than usual. If this is your case, don’t be alarmed because it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a baldness symptom. According to dermatologists, we lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day throughout the year.

This phenomenon occurs on the scalp because each hair has its own growth phase. Some hairs have just been born, others are stabilised, and others are already in the final phase of their life, coinciding with autumn. But although each hair has its own characteristics, the hair cycle is common to all of them and is made up of three stages: growth or anagen, transition or catagen and rest or telogen. Let’s explain them in detail.

• Anagen phase. In this phase, hair grows strong and healthy for a period that usually lasts between 2 and 7 years. This is also a vitally important time because external factors such as stress, smoking or a poor diet can stop or slow down hair growth. Hair length is determined during this stage. The longer this anagen phase lasts, the longer the hair will grow.

• Catagen phase. This is the shortest phase, lasting between 3 and 6 weeks. In this phase, hair growth comes to a standstill but remains anchored in the follicle.

• Telogen phase. This is when the hair falls out because new hair starts to grow from the root. But hair loss can also happen due to other reasons: stress, smoking, a poor diet or hormonal changes. In these cases, taking nutritional supplements like the ones we offer at Zenement could help you to reduce hair loss.

We are now going to explain the two most common types of hair loss:

• Progressive hair loss. This is also known as androgenic alopecia and consists of a progressive and localised decrease in hair mass. This type of baldness usually affects almost 80% of men. Its effects are usually seen on the front and top of the head. In the case of women, this type of hair loss does not exceed 42 %. It affects the top of the head and the sides of the head.

• The second type is called reactional or acute diffuse alopecia. This is a type of sudden, one-off hair loss. It is usually related to events such as pregnancy, emotional problems, fatigue or stress, among others.

Causes of hair loss:

External aggressions, poor hygiene, unsuitable cosmetics … Etcetera. These are just some of the reasons why our hair falls out. Some can be corrected, others are out of our hands. Here we are going to explain them to you in detail.

• Family (or androgenic) inheritance. If your father is bald, logic might lead you to think that you will suffer the same fate. Or maybe not. When your hair falls out, it’s not because of a particular gene. Several genes are involved. One of them is the X chromosome, which corresponds to maternal inheritance.

• Stress. Although it is hard to believe, stress is the second most important cause of hair loss after genetics. This is because our body and mind – including our skin – are closely linked. When submitted to pronounced stress, the scalp´s cells enter the so-called ‘telogen effluvium’. This is a condition that accelerates hair loss after 3 or 4 months.

• Hormonal changes. Depending on the type of contraceptive pill chosen or the onset of menopause can aggravate chronic hair loss for a period exceeding six months. This is called ‘chronic telogen effluvium’. During pregnancy, expectant mothers notice that their hair becomes thicker and shinier due to increased hormone levels – oestrogens. But after giving birth, this level drops sharply and clumps of hair are lost while brushing your hair. It is estimated that almost half of all women after giving birth suffer from telogen effluvium. A close link has also been found between thyroid and hair loss. Both hyperthyroidism – overactive thyroid gland – and hypothyroidism – underactive hormone release – can cause hair loss. For men, hair loss depends on hormones called androgens, which can act on hair follicles predisposed to the condition. If this happens, they cause the follicle to become smaller and smaller until it completely atrophies, leading to hair loss.

• Lack of vitamins and minerals. Hair loss can be a symptom of a lack of protein, iron, zinc or biotin (vitamin B8). It is interesting to point out that iron from animal foods is better absorbed than that obtained from vegetables. How can this absorption be optimised? By eating foods rich in iron and foods high in vitamin C at the same time. This vitamin is capable of transforming ferric iron into ferrous iron and this allows for better absorption. Legumes such as lentils, chickpeas and black beans have the highest percentage of iron. In the case of vitamin C, fruits such as oranges, strawberries and pineapple deserve special attention. If you prepare a lentil dish, you can serve it with a tomato salad or sprinkle a little parsley over the top.

• Tobacco. Smoking causes fewer amino acids, nutrients, and vitamins to reach the hair bulb. Tobacco also causes loss of vitality, dryness, and premature ageing of the hair.

• Hairstyles and treatments. In such cases, traction alopecia often arises. This condition is caused as a result of prolonged and excessive stretching of the hair due to the use of rubber bands. Hairstyles such as African braids, ponytails or the use of caps and hats fall into this category.

When should I worry about hair loss?

Generally speaking, we should be concerned about hair loss when it is no longer as dense as it used to be. In particular, symptoms may include:

• Gradual loss on the top of the head. Usually affects people as they get older. In men, hair recedes along the forehead hairline. Among women, what is known as frontal fibrosing alopecia is quite common.

• Circular or irregular bald patches. This causes total hair loss in a specific area which is usually the size of a coin. This loss can occur anywhere on the body but is most commonly found on the scalp, eyebrows and beard.

• Sudden thinning of the hair. A sudden emotional shock may be the cause. Strands of hair may fall out whilst washing or combing. This particular case usually causes temporary hair fatigue.

• Hair loss all over the body. Some disorders cause this kind of hair loss. Usually, after some time, the hair grows back.

• Scaly patches appear all over the scalp. This is known as ringworm. This problem is often accompanied by broken hair, swelling and redness.

Perhaps you didn’t know that …

A bump on the head won’t make you lose your hair. That’s according to the American Hair Loss Association. For that to happen, a severe trauma would have to have occurred. In these cases, the hair falls out and new hair usually grows. If the shock was too severe, it could damage the hair follicles to the point of lasting damage.

Research at the University of California has shown that fine hair is more resistant than thick hair. To test this, they tied different types of hair strands to a machine that stretched them until they broke. The results, to the surprise of the entire scientific team, were unexpected. The fine hair had withstood more tension before breaking than the thicker hair.

What can be done to stop or prevent hair loss?

Nutritional supplements represent one of the most interesting solutions when it comes to stopping hair loss. Zenement offers you the following products:

Zenement. Hair, nails and skin complex with Vitamins, Minerals and Biotin. Among its many components, cysteine stands out as an excellent amino acid for keeping hair strong and reducing dandruff. It also contains seaweed, rich in iodine, which can act as a depurative component against skin changes, and zinc, a nutrient that strengthens the immune system. Finally, it is worth highlighting the role of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, which are key to the development of healthy hair.

Zenement. Biotin Complex with Selenium and Zinc. Contains Biotin which keeps both skin and mucous membranes in good condition. Selenium contributes to healthy hair and nails and strengthens the immune system. It also helps to protect cells from oxidative stress.

Keraphyte

TREATMENTS are another option to take into consideration. Our solution is called Keraphyte and is composed of two products:

Hair Growth and Loss Prevention Lotion. Containing a patented and revolutionary formula from Anagendil. It consists of three ingredients:

• Capilia Longa, a substance obtained from turmeric root stem cells. This active ingredient helps to restore the hair bulb and favours a return to the anagen phase. In numerous clinical studies, Capilia Longa has reduced hair loss by up to 89% and increased hair density by around 52%. Thanks to its use, it allows up to 13,500 new hairs to be born.
• Serenoa Repens. Acts by blocking the androgenic stimulus on the hair follicle receptors, thus preventing hair loss.
• Gingerols. These are ginger’s active ingredients. They help increase blood circulation and delivery of nutrients to the hair. In a few months, your hair will become stronger and healthier.

Keraphyte Hair Growth Treatment. This is a scientifically formulated complex with plant extracts, vitamins and minerals combined with a high dose of Biotin, to maintain healthy hair growth right from the root.