What Your Hair Might Be Telling You About Your Health

The hair and beauty market in the UK is worth around £5.8 billion, with the most devoted salon customers spending upwards of a thousand pounds each month on salon treatments. But the state of our hair isn’t just a matter of aesthetic concern; it can also provide valuable clues about the state of our underlying health.

Hormonal Imbalances and Hair Health

When your hormones are in flux, the first sign is typically a change in your hair. You might experience more oiliness. On the other hand, your hair might suddenly dry out. You might find that your hair grows faster, or that growth grinds to a halt. These symptoms often occur during menopause or during pregnancy. But they can also be a sign of certain diseases, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

Nutritional Deficiencies and Their Impact

Of course, in order to repair itself and remain thick, lush, and healthy, your hair will need a steady supply of nutrients. For one thing, you’ll need to ensure that you’re adequately hydrated. Deficiencies in certain micronutrients, like iron, biotin, zinc and vitamin D, can also cause hair-related issues. The best way to get these substances is through diet, and sunlight exposure. But supplements can also be powerful and convenient. Look for hair loss vitamins that are formulated for more targeted, effective support.

Thyroid Trouble and What It Means for Your Hairline

The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in supporting the health of your hair. Hair growth does not happen continuously, but in stages – and the metabolism-regulating function of the thyroid gland is there to make sure that this process takes place. If your gland is underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism), then you might experience a thinning of the hair. This is almost always uniform across your entire scalp, rather than patchy. Where this symptom coincides with fatigue, weight fluctuations, and a sensitivity to heat and cold, it’s time to seek out a doctor’s opinion.

Stress and Hair Shedding – The Telogen Effect

Stress is a notorious driver of hair loss. This is because of something called telogen effluvium. Telogen is the third, ‘shedding’, stage of the hair growth cycle. When you are stressed, hair follicles that would otherwise be in the anagen (that’s growth) stage will prematurely go into the telogen stage. This will cause hair loss. 

While there are treatments that will replace the lost hair, what really matters is that the source of stress is removed. When this doesn’t happen, the replaced hair will be lost again. Without intervention, you can expect lost follicles to return after a few months.

When to Get Professional Advice

We’ve mentioned just a few conditions that might be evidenced by changes in the condition of your hair. But there are many more, some of which are quite rare and obscure. Alopecia areata might be suggested by rapid hair loss, but the same might be said of other conditions. Generally speaking, if your hair loss is persistent, and you can’t explain it, it’s time to seek treatment.