Sudden hair changes in texture could signal a more serious condition. Anemia and insufficient vitamin D levels can bring on thinning hair. A thyroid disease can also result in a sudden change in the texture of your hair.
Moisture Changes
Since your hair is not divorced from the rest of your body, other normal aging processes will also affect your strands. “As we get older, our bodies produce fewer lipids and less sebum,” says Dr. Michelle Henry, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan.
They include stress, chemical hair treatments, heat styling, genetics, aging, medical conditions and illness. and pregnancy. With all of these things considered, it's not unusual to see color and textural changes with each passing decade of your life.
Tight hairstyles, frequent braids and hair extensions cause stress on the hair shaft and can lead to weaker hair. Dyeing, perming, excessive heat styling like straightening, curling and blow drying damage the cuticle [1], which is the outer protective layer of hair.
Softness is an indicator of healthy hair. If you notice that your hair is losing its texture, it doesn't mean you have to settle for it. A balanced combination of a good hair care routine and a proper diet can help you attain softer hair.
Sudden changes in hair texture could be a signal of an underlying medical condition. Low levels if vitamin D and iron can cause hair to thin. Certain thyroid conditions can also cause sudden changes in hair texture.
Texture Changes: While not as common, stress may also impact the texture of your tresses. “High levels of [cortisol] can, in some cases, cause changes in texture and appearance because it does affect follicle function,” Friese notes.
In order to be its healthiest, your hair needs zinc, iron, vitamin E, omega fatty acids, and biotin. If your diet is high in alcohol consumption and low in nutrients, it will feel dry and rough. An iron deficiency will cause strands to feel brittle and coarse.
Pubic hair may extend out to their thighs, and some girls may have a line of hair up to their belly button. Most girls attain their peak height by age 16, but some may continue growing through age 20.
Certain thyroid conditions can also change the texture of your hair. If you have hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), your hair might feel overly fine and brittle. If you have hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), your hair might feel dry, harsh and more coarse than normal.
As people grow older, their hair can become more weathered. This means that a number of environmental factors can cause damage to the structure of the hair, resulting in hair that is not as shiny, elastic, or as strong as it was previously. These environmental factors include exposure to: ultraviolet (UV) light.
In both sexes, these hormones contribute to increased body hair and, later, balding in males. An increase in androgens in females can actually change the shape of the hair follicle from round to flat and this can instigate a change in texture from straight to curly.
Yes, stress and hair loss can be related. Three types of hair loss can be associated with high stress levels: Telogen effluvium. In telogen effluvium (TEL-o-jun uh-FLOO-vee-um), significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase.
Stress can push hair follicles into a “resting” phase so that they don't produce new hair strands. Over time, hair can fall out more easily, even if you're just washing, combing, or touching it. Telogen effluvium also can be caused by poor nutrition and changes in hormone levels.
How does lupus affect hair? Many people with lupus have skin problems, like rashes or sores on the scalp, that can cause hair loss. Hair loss and thinning hair can also be side effects of certain medicines used to treat lupus, like steroids and immunosuppressives.
Summary: Hair samples from teens could help detect their risk of mental health problems. Researchers found teens with higher cortisol levels in hair samples were more likely to experience depression. Low cortisol levels were also linked to an increased risk of mental health issues.
Changes in your hair could indicate nutrition and health issues. A dry scalp or hair could mean you aren't getting enough healthy fats in your diet. Likewise, thinning hair could mean your diet lacks protein.
If you're having a hard time understanding whether you have fine or thin hair (or both), the best thing to grab a handful of hair in your fist, if it's long enough. Then looking in the mirror, look at the roots. If you can easily see your scalp through the hair, it's thin. If you can't, it's medium or thick.
Symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease
The condition can also include a heightened sensitivity to cold, sudden weight gain, memory lapses, brittle nails and even hair loss. Hair loss caused by Hashimoto's is diffuse, with some hair shedding all over the scalp, rather than developing bare patches or bald spots.
Hair loss and thyroid disease
Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.