Genetic Factors – If you have a family history of baldness, then it can affect you as well. These a due to a combination of genetics from both parents and it can’t really be cured. There isn’t any permanent cure but a few chemicals are used to stimulate hair growth such as Minoxidil, and Finasteride. The dosage that you’re going to be using these it needs to be monitored by a professional to make sure that it doesn’t go overboard.
Aging – As people get older, the hair follicles shrink and get weaker, this causes hair thinning and eventually hair loss. Women have hormonal balance in their body which can affect hair growth and quality. In males, receding hairline or a bald patch at the back of the hair.
Iron Deficiency – This kind of hair loss can come and go and is a common occurrence. If you’ve noticed after having an episode of any kind of illness, especially typhoid, there will be hair loss. This is because as the body gets weak, there isn’t enough iron content, and iron is required of a key element called ferritin which is present in the hair. When you have an unusual amount of hair loss, you’re most likely asked to test your ferritin levels which are basically iron. To cure and prevent this, it’s important to eat foods that are rich in iron content, such as green leafy vegetables, beetroot, etc.
Thyroid – Thyroid, as a gland helps in metabolism and in fact, is important for the regulation of iron in your body. At the same time thyroid is also important as it helps in balancing and regulating the hormones in your body. When you have a Thyroid problem it can be one of two things, Hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism. The former is when excess Thyroxine is produced by the Thyroid gland, that results in an imbalance, the latter is when there are low levels of thyroxine in the blood that also results in an imbalance. Thyroxine helps in the basal metabolic rate of the body, protein synthesis, and also helps in regulating growth hormone. (3)
Hormonal – Hormonal changes are prevalent in women from time to time. Their hormone levels keep altering based on the events in their life, from periods, marriage, menopause and pregnancy. Pregnancy can be seen as a major life-changing event that affects hair growth and can also cause a type of Alopecia. Although changes in the male hormones or Androgens can also cause hair loss, commonly called male- pattern hair loss. This is called Androgenic Alopecia and can be seen in both men and women and is called, female-pattern hair loss in women. (4)
Autoimmune Disease – These are diseases when the white blood cells attack the body itself internally. This causes the WBC’s to affect and weaken the hair follicles leading to hair loss. The most common of them Alopecia, where hair loss occurs in the form of patches and these patches can usually increase with age. Another form of Alopecia is Traction Alopecia, which is caused due to salon treatments that create a lot of tension in the hair follicles. When the hair is pulled back and tied very tightly for too long, it does result in Hair loss around the hairline. Headgears that are worn for too long can also have the same effect. (5)
There can be other reasons for hair fall, such as medications that are given for cancer, depression etc. Another reason can be Dandruff and other fungal infections, that clog hair follicles causing hair fall. Other than this your diet is extremely crucial for the growth of your hair, you would need a protein-rich diet, more than a rich fatty diet.