Hair loss is a major concern among adults, but now it is starting to take its toll on children as well. More and more teens, both girls and boys, are starting to lose their hair, experiencing symptoms of shedding or thinning. If adults suffer a lot of shame from losing their hair, teens are even more affected by it on an emotional level, especially because they are being bullied in school.
Reasons for hair loss in teens
There are two main types of causes for hair loss in teens: illnesses and lifestyle faults. In the first category there are multiple types of alopecia.
Alopecia areata is a condition which causes hair loss on different parts of the body. Teens and adults can lose their hair on the scalp and/or on their arms legs, etc. This type of alopecia can occur in multiple parts of the body at the same time. 1-2% of all Americans suffer from this condition.
Androgenic alopecia is another type of alopecia, which affects especially men over 50 years of age. However, the condition can also affect women, especially girls who are dealing with puberty.
Another category of hair loss triggers can be found in one’s lifestyle.
Traction alopecia is the name given to the hair loss that occurs when you are pulling the hair too much. It is best seen in ballet dancers, who pull their hair very tight from early ages and gradually lose it, due to all that tension applied on daily basis.
Excessive hair styling is another common problem, especially in teen girls, who are over-styling their hair, exposing it to high temperatures and lots of chemicals.
Unsurprisingly, one’s diet has a lot to do with hair loss. As most teens rely on soda and junk food, which lack the essential nutrients for the body, they experience hair loss. Contraceptives were also linked to hair loss.
How to fight hair loss
Depending on what causes the hair loss, you can fight it with a healthy diet and natural remedies. A balanced diet is the first step in regaining your mane, as well as giving up on the faulty habits, such as over-styling the hair. On top of these, you can start using natural remedies, such as carrier oils and essential oils. Each type of oil has its own unique properties, which stimulate the hair follicle and promote hair growth.
For normal hair the best carrier oils are sesame oil and macadamia nut oil, which nourish the hair without over-greasing it.
For dry hair, which is prone to breaking and has a dull look, the best carrier oils you can use are argan oil, castor oil, jojoba oil and olive oil. All of them help nourish the hair strand and stimulate the sebum production, moisturizing the scalp.
For oily hair, which has an excess of sebum, the best oil to use is grapeseed oil, which regulates the sebum production, stimulating hair growth.
Thin hair, which can be dry or oily, is best cared for with castor oil, which is thick, but it doesn’t clog the hair strand or the scalp.