Why teenagers lose their hair
Teenagers often experience hair loss, which can happen for a number of reasons. There are many reasons why a teenager might lose their hair. Genetics, stress and diet are all contributing factors to hair loss in teens. When experiencing a lot of stress or undergoing changes such as puberty, hair loss can be accelerated. This article will some of those reasons and factors. Your Teen years can be difficult and this article is here to help you better understand how to deal with and prevent hair loss when it happens.
Genetics
Genetics can be a factor in hair loss for teens and can be especially difficult to deal with because it can’t really be changed. Genetics is something that we are born with and is based on your DNA. Trauma to the scalp such as pulling, brushing or blow-drying your hair too often can also contribute to hair loss in people who have genetic predispositions.
If you have a family member who has experienced hair loss or thinning, that can also be a factor. There is no way to prevent the genetics from being passed on but there are things you can do to decrease thinning and hair loss. If you are concerned about hair loss you may want to ask your parents if either of them have had any hair loss issues. When hairloss occurs in teens ultimately you might consult a doctor or dermatologist.
Anxiety and Stress
Hair loss can also be caused by stress related factors or anxiety related factors as well as hormonal changes in puberty that have been brought about by the stress of a young person. A lack of sleep, excessive cardio or resistance training can also thin your hair and lead to it falling out.
At times when a teenager is undergoing growth spurts or hormone changes stress is unavoidable but there are coping mechanisms that a teen can take advantage of in order to decrease the amount of stress they feel on a day-to-day basis. This might include some of the following:
Daily meditation and yoga exercises to alleviate stress and relax nerves
Going outside for walks or jogs to blow off tension or frustration… even if it’s just for 20 minutes a day!
Limiting late night social media use or digital device use during important study periods… this can contribute to stress and anxiety especially during crucial periods such as test week or projects.
Anxiety can become a vicious cycle that becomes overwhelming. If you feel like it’s getting out of control there are ways to help yourself if you’re having trouble coping with the emotions arising from anxiety or stress. Talking your issues out with friends, family or a counselor is a great way to relieve some of the pressure that builds up when anxiety gets out of control. While you may not be able to stop your hormones from behaving as they are there are things you can do to help calm yourself and reduce stress.
Diet
One thing that has been proven to contribute significantly to hair loss in teens is diet. This is especially difficult for teenagers who are experiencing growth spurts and changing metabolisms throughout puberty because it’s hard to change your eating habits at a time when there’s already so many changes happening in the body.
When your body lacks proper nutrition to operate at the best of its ability, your hair will begin to suffer as a result. With that being said, the foods you eat can help nourish your hair and promote it’s growth as well! Sometimes this is caused by not eating enough and sometimes it’s because you’re eating too much.
Make sure that you are eating a healthy balance of proteins, fruits and vegetables that have the vitamins and minerals that promote hair growth. Sometimes this change is difficult to make in a diet because it means cutting out unhealthy foods such as soft drinks and fast food When your body has proper nutrition, you will see that even other problems like acne or dandruff can be greatly reduced too.
Stress, diet, and genetics all play a role in teenage hair loss. Even though there are some things that cannot be controlled (genetics), there are many things you can do to reduce the amount of stress and anxiety you feel, which will help decrease hair loss in teens.
Diet is also important because poor diet can contribute to thinning and hair loss. Make sure to eat a balance of protein, fruits, vegetables, and other nutrients that promote hair growth.
Here are things that you should remember when it comes to teenage hair loss
- Talking to others about how you are feeling and being mindful of your behavior can help keep stress levels down and hopefully reduce the severity of hair loss in teens.
- If you are experiencing hair loss in teenagers it is important to check with your doctor to make sure that there isn’t any underlying health problem. Your doctor will be able to perform a physical examination and determine if the hair loss is caused by anything like an infection, underlying thyroid condition or other medical issues that should be addressed.
- Be mindful of how much time you’re spending in front of screens (social media, video games, etc.), especially during periods when it’s crucial (ex: study week, project deadline). This can contribute to stress and anxiety levels.
- Exercise is also important for reducing stress levels and keeping your hair healthy. Try meditating daily or going for walks or jogs to blow off tension or frustration.
- Diet is important, so make sure to eat a proper balance of protein, fruits, vegetables, and other nutrients that promote hair growth.
In the end, teenage hair loss is a very common problem, and with the proper precautions it’s nothing to worry about unless it becomes excessive or begins to interfere with your day-to-day social life and lifestyle.