An old saying tells us that rich hair is a sign of femininity, a basic beauty feature of any woman. But there are times when, against our efforts of keeping it clean and healthy, we lose it, string by string. Even if it's not the case to worry too much and be frightened by a future baldness, it still is recommended that you see a specialist. The loss of hair or alopecia may be a sign of other conditions that need a serious and long term treatment.

Do cosmetics help?

You've tried many brands of shampoos and hair balms, even masks or different treatments that you've heard of; you gave up the hair drier and you follow advice from all specialists in women magazines. Still, your problem seems to be getting worse, instead of disappearing. Have you seen a doctor? If not, you should ask yourself some questions. And this just because only a complete set of blood tests can offer you a solution. From a merely dandruff problem or a fungus, to a severe std, like secondary syphilis, there are countless of possible reasons for losing hair.

More than that, shampoos or cosmetic products that you use as a treatment may lead to a worsening of the problem, instead of eliminating it, if used without a recommendation from a specialist. If you know you suffer from chronic affections like diabetes, seborrhea, leukemia or other area localized infections, you should look at hair loss as a natural phenomenon. Same in the case that you use unauthorized diets or treatments which keep the body from getting its needed minerals and vitamins.

When you have a hormonal imbalance

A high level of testosterone , some components of certain birth control pills, the period that follows a birth or the period before menopause, stress, emotional shocks, are just a few reasons for a hormonal imbalance. After 3 months since birth, women seem to lose hair excessively. But in their case, it is very normal: during pregnancy, they lose very close to no hair strings, so the regeneration that should occur in 9 months time, is done intensely. But if the thyroid is responsible for the hormonal imbalance, only the endocrinologist may help you.

Food matters

Lack of vitamins and minerals leads to lowering the quality of the hair strings and, in time, to losing it. This is why a key role in maintaining the health of the hair is played by a healthy and balanced diet. If the body doesn't get enough iron, even if it doesn't cause anemia, the hair is more likely to fall. You should only take supplements if the doctor advices so, after a blood test. Excessive iron in the body leads to severe problems, and so does the excessive vitamin A or selenium. These must be taken in combination with other vitamins, never alone.

Dermatologists agree that is normal to lose up to 200 hair strings per day. respect a few golden rules and you will have a very envied hair:

Wash your hair every 2-3 days. More often than that, you risk drying the scalp. If more than 5 days go between 2 washes, you risk a clogging of the pores with oil and sebum, and suffocate the hair roots.

Let the hair catch some air. Don't wear it in a ponytail or pigtails for too long, pressed in hair bands too tight or afro tails.

Brush your hair using natural hair brushes; avoid using combs made of hard plastics.