Hair fall is no longer a concern limited to older age groups. Many younger adults are noticing increased shedding, thinning hair, a widening hair part or reduced hair volume. While genetics can play an important role, everyday factors such as stress, poor sleep, dietary gaps and environmental pollution can also affect the hair-growth cycle.
Hair health depends on several factors. The condition of the scalp, hair follicles, nutrition, lifestyle and the way hair is treated can all influence hair growth and damage.
Why are younger adults experiencing more hair fall?
Modern lifestyles can place several forms of stress on the body. Long working hours, irregular sleep, frequent dieting, sedentary habits and ongoing mental stress can affect overall well-being and may also influence hair health.
Stress is one factor that can affect the hair-growth cycle. Prolonged physical or emotional stress can cause more hair follicles to enter the resting phase resulting in increased shedding. This type of stress-related shedding is known as telogen effluvium and may become noticeable weeks or months after a stressful period.
Poor sleep can add to this problem. Stress and inadequate sleep can form a cycle, with each affecting the other. Since the normal hair-growth cycle is influenced by several processes within the body, consistently poor sleep may also affect hair health.
Can your diet affect hair growth?
Hair needs adequate nutrition to grow normally. Restrictive diets, skipped meals and unbalanced food choices can increase the risk of nutritional gaps.
Protein, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and other nutrients have roles in maintaining healthy hair. However, hair fall should not automatically be attributed to a nutritional deficiency. Persistent or sudden hair loss may require medical assessment and where appropriate, testing for underlying deficiencies.
A balanced diet containing adequate protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and other nutrient-rich foods can form an important part of everyday hair care.
Can pollution damage the scalp and hair?
Pollution is another factor that can affect the scalp and hair. Dust and particulate matter can settle on the scalp and hair surface. Environmental exposure may also contribute to oxidative stress and inflammatory responses around the scalp.
Regular scalp cleansing is therefore important. Washing the hair does not cause hair loss; it helps remove accumulated sweat, oil and environmental particles.
Excessive heat styling, frequent chemical treatments and tight hairstyles can also cause physical damage to the hair shaft, leading to breakage and reduced hair quality.
Hair fall and hair damage are not the same
Hair fall and hair damage are often used interchangeably, but they are different concerns.
Hair fall refers to hair being shed from the follicle. Hair damage, on the other hand, usually affects the hair shaft itself. Excessive heat, chemical treatments, friction, dryness and rough handling can weaken the hair shaft and increase breakage.
This means that reducing hair fall alone may not address the overall condition of the hair. Hair care should also consider the scalp, hair follicles and the hair shaft.
What happens when hair follicles become weaker?
Hair follicles naturally move through different stages of growth and rest. When the growth phase is shortened or follicles become progressively smaller, hair may become finer and less dense.
One factor associated with certain types of hair loss is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone formed from testosterone through the enzyme 5α-reductase. In genetically susceptible individuals, DHT can contribute to progressive follicle miniaturisation.
This is one reason why hair-care approaches may focus not only on the visible hair but also on the scalp and hair follicles.
How can a hair growth serum fit into a hair-care routine?
Along with healthy lifestyle habits, a suitable scalp-care product can be included in a regular hair-care routine. Hair Growth & Hair Fall Control Serum (Anagen Grow) is a proprietary Siddha medicine formulated for scalp and hair care.
Anagen Grow has a deep-acting enriched formula for rapid scalp absorption. It is formulated to promote hair growth, reduce hair fall and minimise hair damage.
Each 5 g contains extracts of Phyllanthus emblica, Murraya koenigii, Lawsonia alba, Indigofera tinctoria, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Eclipta prostrata.
Anagen Grow,the hair growth & hair fall control serum is intended to promote hair growth, minimise DHT-induced hair loss, improve blood circulation and nutrient delivery around the hair roots and nourish and moisturise the scalp and hair.
The Hair Growth & Hair Fall Control Serum has been studied in a clinical trial involving 30 volunteers over 12 weeks, registered under CTRI/2022/02/040499.
The study reported:
· 76% increase in hair growth
· 72% reduction in hair fall
· 88% reduction in hair damage
What else can be done for healthier hair?
A hair-care routine can include:
- Getting adequate and regular sleep
- Eating a balanced diet with sufficient protein and essential nutrients
- Managing prolonged stress
- Keeping the scalp clean
- Limiting excessive heat and chemical treatments
- Avoiding hairstyles that repeatedly pull on the hair
- Using suitable scalp and hair-care products
Anagen Grow, hair growth & hair fall control serum can be applied to the scalp and spread evenly through the hair. Everyday use is recommended for hair growth and reducing hair damage, or as directed by a physician.
However, a serum cannot address every possible cause of hair loss. Sudden or excessive shedding, visible thinning, bald patches, a widening hair part or persistent hair loss should be assessed by a dermatologist.
Conclusion
Hair fall in younger adults can have several contributing factors rather than one single cause. Stress, inadequate sleep, poor nutrition and pollution can affect hair health, while genetic and medical factors may also play a role.
Along with healthy lifestyle habits, Anagen Grow, the hair growth & hair fall control serum provides a targeted approach to scalp and hair care, with clinical data showing improvements in hair growth, hair fall and hair damage over 12 weeks.
A consistent approach combining good lifestyle habits, appropriate scalp care and Anagen Grow can form part of an everyday hair-care routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are younger adults experiencing hair fall?
Hair fall in younger adults can be linked to stress, poor sleep, nutritional deficiencies, pollution, genetics, hormonal changes and certain scalp or medical conditions.
2. Can stress cause hair fall?
Yes. Prolonged physical or emotional stress can push more hair follicles into the resting phase, which may lead to increased shedding.
3. Can poor sleep affect hair growth?
Poor or irregular sleep may affect overall well-being and can indirectly influence the normal hair-growth cycle, particularly when combined with ongoing stress.
4. Can pollution damage hair?
Yes. Dust and particulate matter can accumulate on the scalp and hair and may contribute to oxidative stress and scalp irritation. Regular scalp cleansing can help remove these deposits.
5. What is the difference between hair fall and hair damage?
Hair fall involves shedding of hair from the follicle, while hair damage affects the hair shaft and can lead to dryness, breakage and split ends.
6. How does DHT affect hair loss?
DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is formed from testosterone by the enzyme 5α-reductase. In genetically susceptible individuals, DHT can contribute to hair follicle shrinkage and progressive hair thinning.
7. What is Anagen Grow used for?
This hair growth & hair fall control serum is formulated to promote hair growth, reduce hair fall and minimise hair damage while nourishing and moisturising the scalp and hair.
8. What clinical results are reported for Anagen Grow?
A 12-week clinical trial involving 30 volunteers reported a 76% increase in hair growth, 72% reduction in hair fall and 88% reduction in hair damage.
9. How should Anagen Grow be used?
Apply Anagen Grow to the scalp and spread it evenly through the hair. Use every day for hair growth and to reduce hair damage, or as directed by a physician.
10. When should persistent hair fall be checked by a doctor?
Sudden or excessive shedding, visible thinning, bald patches, a widening hair part or persistent hair loss should be assessed by a dermatologist.