You undoubtedly think about your hair on a regular basis, whether you’re worried about a poor hair day or enjoying a lovely blow dry, or whether you should try out that new style your favourite star is sporting.
However, you may be overlooking signs that your hair is giving you about your health.
According to research, changes in your hair’s appearance, texture, or thickness can indicate underlying health issues. Here, leading expert Dr Charlotte Woodward reveals how to detect if your hair loss is caused by a medical condition, genetics, stress, or a dietary deficiency.
1. Hair Loss Could Indicate Thyroid Problems
Dr Charlotte Woodward, Clinical Director at River Aesthetics working with RegenLab explains that those with hypothyroidism – a disorder in which the thyroid gland does not create enough thyroid hormones – may experience increased hair loss and a change in hair appearance.
It can lead to hair loss as well as other symptoms including fatigue, cold sensitivity, joint discomfort, muscular pain, a swollen face, and weight gain. Thyroid medication is used to treat the illness, which is diagnosed by a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test.
Dr Woodward explains: “In addition to losing hair, many thyroid issues put you at risk for alopecia areata, an autoimmune hair loss syndrome. This form of hair loss is caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles, resulting in circular patches of unexpected hair loss.
It occurs as circular bald spots anywhere on the scalp in men, women, and even toddlers. It usually appears out of nowhere, even within a few days. While the aetiology of alopecia is uncertain, the disorder develops when white blood cells assault the cells in hair follicles, causing them to shrink and hair development to drop substantially”
Whilst alopecia areata is sadly not curable, it is, however, treatable and hair can regrow!
Dr Woodward also explains that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a safe, non-invasive way to help stimulate hair growth.
“PRP treatment involves taking a patient’s own blood and centrifuging it to separate the red & the white blood cells from the plasma. The plasma, now rich in platelets and the growth factors they contain is then injected back into that patient, into the affected area. The results after a few months can leave an individual with thicker hair and reduced hair loss.”
Dr Woodward suggests that while PRP is not a permanent cure, it can really help stimulate new hair growth and manage the condition. “I tell clients that this therapy acts like fertiliser for their hair follicles, allowing reduced or lethargic hair to flourish to their full potential.”
2. The link between brittle hair and Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome is an uncommon disorder characterised by too much cortisol, the body’s principal stress hormone. Brittle hair is one of the symptoms. However, Cushing’s syndrome manifests itself in a variety of ways, including elevated blood pressure, weariness, and back discomfort.
Numerous studies are being conducted to determine whether Cortisol is linked to the hair loss found in many balding people. If cortisol is the major cause of hair loss, not just in individuals with Cushing’s syndrome, but in all cases of baldness, there is a technique to cure it, which is fantastic news for those who have high cortisol levels.
In the meanwhile, patients who suffer from hair loss due to Cushing’s disease can choose from a variety of therapeutic alternatives. A hair transplant may seem excessive, given that hair will almost probably regrow after therapy for the condition. There are, however, less drastic measures that may be taken to promote hair growth.
One of the most popular treatments for baldness is Regaine. Hair-thickening vitamins and products are other options.
Hair growth issues can exist in the reverse way, which is odd. Excess hair growth is common in women, especially on their cheeks, necks, and chests.
What is the treatment for Cushing’s syndrome? Treatment is mostly determined by the cause of Cortisol overproduction. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or just the use of Cortisol-inhibiting medications might be used.
3. Hair Shedding Could Be a Symptom of Anaemia
If you see a lot of hair in your hairbrush or on your shower floor all of a sudden, it might be an indication that your body is short on iron, which would need testing.
While it’s not totally understood why low iron might cause hair loss, it is necessary for numerous biological and chemical activities, including hair development. If your doctor finds that you are actually iron deficient, eating more iron-rich foods or taking an iron supplement may assist with hair loss.
Hair loss can also occur (temporarily) in response to rapid increases in oestrogen levels, as seen following pregnancy or the discontinuation of birth control tablets.
4. Damaged hair might conceal other health issues
Although hair can provide information about your health, Dr Woodward believes that patients are more likely to complain about the harm caused by over-colouring and heat-treating their hair.
Studies also suggest that when a flat iron is fully heated, the chemical is released as a gas. The eyes, nose, and throat can all become irritated as a result of this. In more severe terms, long-term exposure to formaldehyde has been related to an elevated risk of cancer.
According to Dr Woodward, too much heat, such as from daily flat iron use or daily blowouts, can damage your hair, making it dry, brittle, and difficult to manage. She advises that you only use one hot tool every day (infrequent double heat processes are okay, but not daily).
Dr Woodward suggests always using products with protective components while applying heat to your hair, she says. “When utilising direct and indirect heat, serums and shine drops tend to have properties that maintain the hair.”
According to her, getting your hair coloured professionally is unlikely to do any damage, but bleaching your hair and using boxed hair colour at home can have negative consequences. By utilising the appropriate products, you can minimise any damage to your hair. “Use good colour-preserving and hydrating shampoo after colour treatment,” she advises.
Most importantly, heavily treated hair might obscure some issues, making it impossible to see or feel what your hair can reveal about your health.
Dr Woodward adds: “Damaged hair can be linked to a number of issues, but one reason that most people don’t consider is the sun. Just like the skin, prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays can damage the outside cover of the hair strand, known as the cuticle.
I advise using Hyaluronic acid treatments to help protect and treat the hair from root to tip. This can be applied topically, or for more instantaneous results there are injectable treatments such as Revitacare, which is designed to give the hair and scalp a targeted dose of hyaluronic acid and combines a complex of other necessary vitamins and minerals to target and penetrate the scalp and hair.
“Hyaluronic acid’s (HA) unique ability to attract and hold water from its surroundings can also help the hair to retain moisture without saturating the structure, which may help prevent breakage and reduce any subsequent hair loss.”
5. A Protein Deficiency Could Cause Hair Loss
Protein is necessary for hair growth and health (a lack of protein has been linked to hair thinning and loss). Non-fat Greek yoghurt, tilapia, chickpeas, and chicken breast are all good sources of protein.
Protein digestion may be problematic for those who have gastrointestinal disorders or who have recently had gastric bypass surgery. These unique circumstances will require the assistance of your doctor. However, even in women, the majority of hair loss is likely related to heredity.
6. Stress and Genetics could play a part in going grey
Chronic stress has been hypothesised to play a role in greying hair by generating DNA damage and decreasing the quantity of pigment-producing cells in hair follicles. Hair loss can also be caused by stress.
Oxidative stress, another sort of stress, may also play a role in grey hair. “Oxidative stress,” explains Dr Woodward, “may alter pigment-producing cells.”
Going grey is a very normal part of growing older, since your hair follicles generate less pigment as you age. Dr Woodward adds that your genes have a factor in when your hair greys – ask your parents how old they were when they first noticed a strand of silver, and you could follow in their footsteps.
Do you have a question about PRP or a story to share with us? Email Holly@harleystreetcommunications.co.uk
