Just like the leaves of trees, our hair falls out in the fall. A fortiori if you have just given birth. But, very sensitive to the consideration lavished on them, by following our “rehab” plan, they will quickly regain strength and vigor.
Hair loss: don’t panic
The hair is constantly renewed, according to a well-defined life cycle. When one of them dies another takes its place and knocks it down, so it’s normal to lose a little bit every day. No panic if you lose between 50 and 100 a day. Above 100, the fall is considered abnormal. There are essentially two types of hair loss (it is generally this classification that you find in pharmacies): those which are chronic and hereditary, last for more than six months and require treatments throughout the year. And the others, that is to say the seasonal or occasional falls, which almost all affect us in the fall! These are the ones that will interest us. If our hair falls out more in the fall, it’s actually quite a natural phenomenon.. The heat activated their regrowth throughout the summer (the sun’s rays increase the secretion of hormones that regulate hair growth) and at the start of the school year, there is therefore, logically, more hair in the “telogen” phase, that is, ready to fall. But it is not because this fall is occasional that it is not important. Ditto for postpartum falls that you know well, the dreaded telogen effluvium that occurs two or three months after childbirth. This abnormality of the hair cycle results in a sudden and massive fall, due to an abnormally high rate of hair follicles passing simultaneously in the telogen phase. Normally, less than 20% of hair is in the telogen phase. During the telogen effluvium, this percentage can be higher than 70%! Postpartum hair loss affects an impressive number of women (there were 822 births in France in 000 and 2012% of young mothers say they are affected by this occasional hair loss according to a Ducray study). Other common causes of hair loss in women: stress, fatigue, certain illnesses (fever over 39 ° C, flu, etc.) or drug treatments (such as anticoagulants), anesthesia and unbalanced diets, leading to rapid weight loss and causing nutritional deficiencies (iron, group B vitamins, etc.). Lack of iron (often mentioned in hair loss) can also occur in case of heavy periods, if you wear an IUD or regularly donate blood (donation is allowed every 8 weeks).
A strengthening treatment for your hair
In all cases – moderate or severe loss, but also devitalized hair, weakened or lacking in density -, giving your hair a fortifying treatment in the fall should be part of your (good) beauty maintenance habits to be carried out at least once a year. This treatment is a little the equivalent of a serum for the face, it will revitalize them, put them back on their feet, and will allow you to go into winter with stronger and toned hair. Hypersensitive to care as to any form of attention, they will quickly show you their gratitude! Good news, hair loss care has improved a lot. First in cosmetics. They offer pleasant textures and scents, work without greasing the scalp or weighing down the hair fiber and even help with styling. Thanks to their bottles or their single doses (practical when you are hesitating about the quantity), equipped with massaging tips, they are easy to use and simplify the massage of the scalp, an essential point in the success of the treatment. Research, particularly on stem cells, has also made it possible to discover new, truly effective ingredients which act on the hair bulb and its environment, stimulate the microcirculation of the scalp, prevent and slow down hair loss, activate growth, strengthen and redensify a hair. The hair becomes thicker, fuller and denser. Apply them line by line on the entire scalp so that it is in contact with the product. Massage carefully, mobilizing your entire scalp using pressure made with the pads of the fingers slightly apart. Do not rub, your fingers should stay anchored where they rest on your head. Rather use them in the evening (it is during your sleep that cell regeneration takes place) for a minimum of one month, and for more serious cases, for three months (the products generally allow two to five weeks of treatment, but most studies are carried out over two months). Some can be used while breastfeeding, a point to watch out for.
Treatments to boost hair
As for shampoos, favor sulfate-free formulas and gentle gestures : stroke your scalp, do not rub it. No need to massage during your shampoo, the latter does not have the function of penetrating. Some shampoos contain polymers to bring volume and hold to the hair, a trompe l’oeil that can give a boost! Do not forget the conditioner, the first anti-breakage treatment.
During the time of your treatment, try to avoid straightening, extensions, straightening, too frequent coloring, too hot dryers (no maximum speed), as well as brutal pulls during styling. Eat a balanced diet, eat a little of everything, in moderation. Which diets damage the hair the most? Those deficient in animal protein (vegetarians). And, conversely, high protein diets (which cause hyperacidity) or high glycemic indexes (overcooked food, presence of starch). There is a lack of iron in most women who diet repeatedly. Take it from blood sausage (one of the foods that contains the most), but also organ meats, shellfish, egg yolks and most red meats. Hair also needs vitamins A, C, E and vitamins of group B, as well as amino acids (keratin is formed only of sulfur amino acids), minerals and micronutrients. Our express meals do not always cover our needs, a food supplement can be useful (to follow two months minimum). At last, learn to relax and indulge yourself : breathing, relaxation therapy, massages … The hair is highly dependent on psychological and nervous systems, even more than the skin. It keeps the memory of your emotions much longer. Do not forget the sport, a good outlet to let off steam.