There are a lot of tips and tricks when it comes to hair care, but not all advice provides genuine benefit. Many are seeking to improve their hair health or suffer from hair loss. Hair loss is an extremely complex issue that affects the majority of men and women at some point in their lifetime.
Dermoi’s chief scientific officer, Eve Casha, breakdown hair loss and why supplements have become a popular and effective solution.
How does hair grow?
All hair grows from a mini-organ present in the skin of the scalp called the hair follicle. Within the hair follicle, hair growth follows a regular cycle.
The growth phase (anagen) occurs when new hair is created from the follicle (lasts 2–6 years), this is followed by a transitional phase (catagen) that lasts 1–2 weeks, and the resting phase (telogen) where the hair is lost (3–4 months).
Different hair follicles tend to not cycle together to ensure an even population of hair on the scalp.
Why does hair loss occur?
Hair loss is a very complex issue that is influenced by many factors. Factors such as genetics, hormones, nutrition and stress, all have direct links with the hair follicle and hair loss.
Nutrition and hair loss
Nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition is a leading cause of hair loss. This is because many vitamins and minerals are co-factors for enzymes involved in hair growth.
For example, low iron, biotin, fatty acids, folic acid, and zinc as well as vitamins D, E, C, B1, B2, B12, B6, B3, and K are all associated with hair loss. Health conditions that affect the absorption of nutrients by the body also commonly cause hair loss.
Hormones and hair loss
Males and female patterned baldness are considered a genetically determined condition that results from changes in hormones called androgens (including testosterone). An excess in androgens, whether it be based on metabolism or changes in cellular binding, is linked with hair loss.
Stress and hair loss
Stress is an extremely common cause of hair loss. This is because stress can worsen already existing hair loss that is a result of nutritional deficiencies, hormones, or inflammation in the hair follicle, but stress can also induce hair loss as it causes hair growth cycles to sync. This causes clumps of hair to fall out.
Why are hair Supplements So Popular For Hair Loss?
As hair loss is so complex, a multi-factor approach usually yields the best results when looking to improve hair health and overcome hair loss.
It is best to incorporate lifestyle changes and wellness practices in daily routines to improve well-being and reduce stress. In addition, forming a nourishing diet and achieving hormonal balance is extremely helpful.
Nutraceutical supplements for hair have the ability to address all of the above issues, and therefore, have shown massive improvements in hair health and loss.
Hair supplements often contain key nutrients and compounds called adaptogens. These compounds lower cortisol levels and help reduce stress on the body. They also contain compounds such as vitex Angus-cactus or reishi mushroom, as they have the ability to balance androgen levels and improve hair loss. Lastly, hair supplements can contain scientifically studied active ingredients that act on the hair follicle and stimulate hair growth.
Hairology by Vida Glow is an excellent example of a multi-tasking supplement for hair loss. It uses a bioavailable and clinically-studied to stimulate gene expression (FGF7 & noggin) in the hair follicle and bring it back into its growth phase (anagen). It is also combined with key nutrients and hormone-balancing ingredients to create a powerful solution.
The impressive nutraceutical stimulates a 34% increase in hair growth in just 28 days.
