Research suggests that at least 10 per cent of women suffer from genetic hair loss before the age of 50 and the number increases at menopause. Stress events may cause hair loss but you may not always link cause and effect because the moult may not start until 10 to 12 weeks later. The most likely causes of non genetic hair loss are:

• Pregnancy – 50 per cent of women have post-natal hair loss, which usually re-grows without intervention.
• Menopause – the reduction of oestrogen levels and the relative increase in male hormones may cause some hair loss which usually grows back if the hormone imbalance is put right.
• Emotional shock – like divorce and job loss may affect hair.
• Yo-yo dieting.
• Not enough rest and sleep.

Healthy hair responds to what you eat in the same way as your skin. Non-genetic hair loss, say experts, is much worse in women who are deficient in iron, have low levels of B group vegetables, including folic acid, or zinc, or have thyroid problems.

Hair food

Eat lots of:

Fresh vegetables, live yogurt, cold pressed oils (olive, sunflower, sesame, flax), pulses (peas, beans, lentils), whole grains (brown rice, oats, buckwheat, millet), seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame and linseeds), almonds and oily fish.

Drink lots of water and try to cut down on cow’s milk products, caffeine, sugar and salt.

PRODUCT LINKS    Styling    Hair Extensions   

---