Imagine this: you’re taking a warm shower and washing your hair, when suddenly you notice… that your hair starts falling out while you’re washing it with your favorite shampoo.

This sounds like an everyday story, right?

If you are here, chances are you might have faced this nightmare in real life, that too repeatedly.

How to know if you are suffering from hair loss?

Hair fall is a common problem that many of us face.

A Harvard study shows that we normally lose about 50 to 100 hairs per day, so you don’t have to worry about losing a little hair once in a while.

However, the problem arises when our hair fall exceeds this number.

According to this study, here are some ways in which you can find out if you are suffering from excessive hair fall:

• If you notice an unusually large amount of hair in brushes, on clothing, or in sink and tub drains.
• Check to see if your hair is generally thinner, if your hair is thinning, if your hairline has receded, or if one or more bald spots have appeared.

Is hard water causing your hair to fall out?

• Excessive hair loss can occur due to various factors.
• However, lately, social media (especially Instagram influencers) believe that the water coming from our taps is responsible for the disappointment we get every time we run our hands through our hair.

• Experts like Shailesh Mulya, National Technical Head, Godrej Professional, agree with this and tell us that hard water alters hair quality because of the presence of harmful metals and salts in it.
• However, that doesn’t mean you can’t improve the quality of your hair.We will discuss this in detail in a bit),
• But does this mean that only hard water is responsible for your hair fall?

Experts say that there could be many other reasons for this.

Other causes of excessive hair loss

“There can be many reasons for hair loss, and hard water is just one,” Dr. Shravya C. Tipirneni, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetologist and Trichologist at Manipal Hospital, Bangalore tells us.

Here are some common ‘culprits’ of hairballs:

your genetics

According to Dr. Tipirneni, of all the causes of hair loss, hereditary factors are the most prominent. “Unfortunately, you can’t do much about your genes,” she says.

Hormonal Changes

Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and even thyroid problems can disrupt the hair growth cycle and cause temporary or permanent hair loss.

Tension

One of the most overlooked and underrated causes of hair loss is stress, which can lead to hair loss.

For example, studies show that your stress can cause three types of hair loss (yes, there are different types of hair loss):

• Telogen effluvium: When your hair follicles go into a resting state due to stress, leading to hair loss.
• Trichotillomania: An obsessive urge to pull out the hair from your head, often caused by stress.
• Alopecia areata: This type of hair loss occurs during a state of severe stress, and during this phase, the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

Tight hairstyle

According to Dr. Tipirneni, tight hairstyles or harsh chemical treatments that put tension on the scalp can damage hair follicles and lead to breakage.

What about your vitamin D3 levels?

The level of Vitamin D3 in your body also affects your hair.

Shailesh explains that since vitamin D3 helps in the growth of our hair, its deficiency can lead to hair loss.

“Although research is ongoing, maintaining healthy D3 levels through sunlight or supplements may be beneficial. However, it is important to consult a doctor before taking any supplements,” says Dr. Tipirneni.

He also added that other deficiencies such as iron, protein and biotin can also cause hair loss.

How to deal with the problem of excessive hair fall?

Experts suggest that there are several ways to deal with hair loss.

here are some:

â— check your shampoo

If you have been suffering from excessive hair fall for quite some time, the first step is to ensure that the shampoo you use is suitable for you.

For example, sulfate-free formulas work best because they cleanse without stripping your hair of its natural oils if you have low porosity hair.

Dr. Tipirneni suggests using a clarifying shampoo (deep cleanser) to remove mineral deposits from hard water.

Now, use shampoos with hydrating and nourishing properties for porous hair.

A- Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Dr. Tipirneni recommends that rinsing hair with apple cider vinegar will help restore the natural pH balance of your hair, ultimately leading to hair loss.

â— shower filter

Now, if the water in your city is hard, you can consider a shower filter to soften the water.

• Serum

Many hair serums claim to stop hair loss. Look for a serum that contains ingredients like minoxidil, which has been shown to be somewhat effective in promoting hair growth.

Memorization

Hair loss is not permanent. If you take care of your hair regularly and treat the root cause of hair loss, you can get good results.