A lot of people view their hair as their crowning glory and consider it to be the epitome of beauty. Therefore, when your hair falls out easily, it might cause you to experience anxiety and even panic.
Even though it may give the impression that it’s a significant number, the amount of hair that comes out of your head every time you touch it is actually quite negligible, and this kind of shedding is most likely just a natural part of your hair’s life cycle.
However, if you notice that you are losing an abnormally large amount of hair as you run your fingers through it, this could be a sign of unhealthy styling habits or a significant health problem that needs to be investigated.
Your Hair’s Life Cycle
The growth cycle of hair progresses via three distinct stages. The operation is as follows:
- Anagen phase, also known as the growing phase: According to a review published in September 2015 in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, the majority of your tresses are currently in the anagen phase, which can last anywhere from two to eight years.
- Phase known as catogen or transitional: The next stage is known as the catogen stage, and it is at this point that your hair will cease growing and will transition to its ultimate state over the course of many weeks.
- This third and last stage, known as the telogen phase, marks the conclusion of the process of hair development. Between five and ten percent of your hair will remain in this final resting phase for a period of a couple of months.
It is at this point in the cycle that hair is most likely to fall out, since the old strands are being forced out of the follicle to make room for the new growth that is beginning. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, humans typically lose anywhere from fifty to one hundred hairs every day while their hair is in the telogen phase. This loss of hair is most frequently seen when you are washing, combing, or simply running your fingers through your hair.
Here Are 7 Reasons Why Your Hair Shedding Happens When You Touch It
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a number of different factors that might cause hair to fall out readily when it is pulled, including those that are associated with health, diet, stress, and even cravings that are difficult to resist. More information about each can be found below:
1. Stress
According to Mary Stevenson, MD, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Medical Center, abnormal hair shedding may be caused by a disorder “called telogen effluvium, which is when hair sheds after a stressful period.” Telogen effluvium occurs when hair loses after a stressful period. A serious sickness, a sudden change in weight, the loss of a loved one, the termination of employment, or the experience of going through a divorce are all potential examples of stressors.
2. Styling
Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including the use of harsh chemical treatments like straightening or perms, as well as blow drying, curling, and wearing hair in styles that are too tight.
3. Showering
When you shampoo, it’s not unusual for your hair to fall out more easily than usual. When you brush your hair after you’ve showered, particularly if you’ve forgotten about it for a few days, you’ll end up with a lot of strands in your hands.
4. Medications
When you run your fingers through your hair, you may notice that it sheds more than usual if you are taking certain medications to address conditions such as cancer, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disorders, or depression.
5. Health Issues
There are a number of hormonal problems that have been related to hair loss, including pregnancy, delivery, issues with the thyroid, and menopause.
6. Nutrition
Are you lacking in iron or protein? It’s possible that the problem stems from a deficiency in these nutrients.
7. Compulsion
A condition known as trichotillomania is characterised by an overwhelming want to tug on one’s own hair. This urge extends beyond the simple act of finger-combing one’s locks and can lead to an excessive amount of hair loss as well as bald spots on the scalp.
What to Do in the Event That Your Hair Is Easily Removed
There is no way to get around the natural cycle of hair development, but you may improve the way you care for your hair so that it is less likely to fall out. Here are some options that are open to you:
1. Avoid Tugging
Choose a comb with wide teeth to untangle your hair, and try not to do stupid things like run your fingers through it or twist it when you’re bored. Instead, use a comb with wide teeth.
2. Use Gentle Products
It may be helpful to use a gentle shampoo and always follow up with conditioner after washing your hair.
3. Skip the Heat
Your hair will appreciate you for putting away the flat iron and blow dryer despite how difficult it may be to do so.
4. Nix Chemicals
Hair treatments including perms, keratin treatments, and colour can leave hair brittle and more prone to breaking.
5. Let It Down
It is best to avoid pulling your hair into extremely tight styles and instead choose to wear it in a relaxed and natural state.
6. Eat Right
In order to maintain healthy hair, you need to incorporate protein and iron into your regular diet. Learn which foods are high in protein and which foods are high in iron, and make sure you eat plenty of both.
7. Speak With a Doctor
If you see an abnormal amount of hair shedding or loss — significantly more than 100 strands per day on average — you should discuss possible causes and treatments with your primary care physician as soon as possible.
8. Examine Your Habits
According to Dr. Stevenson, it could be a good idea to collaborate with a psychologist or psychiatrist, in addition to working with a dermatologist. She believes that these professionals “can help with the behaviour of continually fiddling with hair,” which is something that some people do as a kind of comfort or when they are stressed.
Conclusion
When your hair falls out easily, it might cause you to experience anxiety. Shedding hair is most likely just a natural part of your hair’s life cycle. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, humans typically lose anywhere from fifty to one hundred hairs every day while their hair is in the telogen phase. Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including the use of harsh chemical treatments like straightening or perms, as well as blow drying, curling, and wearing hair in styles that are too tight. There are also hormonal problems that have been related to hair loss, such as pregnancy, delivery and menopause. If you are experiencing excessive hair shedding or loss, talk to your doctor about possible causes and treatments.
