Hair Texture Tales: Decoding the Symptoms of Sudden Hair Texture Changes
Have you ever touched your hair and felt that its texture had changed all of a sudden?
You may also notice the hair texture change while looking in the mirror.
You might be wrong if you think it’s just an assumption and your hair is just as before.
Changes in hair texture are a common thing. People’s hair usually changes with aging.
Your hair texture can also change because of this or several other factors like using heat styling products, climatic conditions, etc.
It is essential to know the effects of these factors on hair texture to treat them appropriately.
Continue reading to know the symptoms of sudden hair texture changes in detail.
Symptoms of hair texture changes
There are many symptoms of changed hair texture. Here’s a list of them:
Dryness
You may sometimes notice that your hair has lost all the luster and shine it used to have.
It has now become dry, dull, and looks lifeless.
There are many reasons for the dryness in your hair.
Overwashing
If you notice a sudden change in hair texture, it can be due to overwashing.
Washing your hair too frequently or using harsh shampoos can strip away the natural oils that keep your hair moisturized, leading to dryness.
Excessive use of heat styling products
Frequent use of hot styling tools like flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers can cause moisture loss from the hair.
It can result in dry and brittle hair that is prone to breakage.
Chemical treatments
Many people go for chemical treatments to have unique and beautiful hair. But this can also affect the hair texture.
Chemical processes, such as perming, bleaching, or coloring, can damage the hair cuticle, resulting in dryness and breakage.
Environmental factors
Sometimes it’s not your activities but your surroundings that can dry your hair.
Exposure to sun, wind, dry air, and harsh weather conditions can deplete moisture from the hair, leaving it dry and dull.
Thinning hair
Have you ever touched your hair and felt like you are touching your scalp?
Your friend may also notice and tell you that suddenly there is a decrease in your hair density.
It can be due to hair thinning. It refers to the gradual or sudden decrease in hair density and volume.
Due to this, you may have a visibly thinner appearance of the hair.
Aging
Aging is a common factor that may make your hair thin.
As we age, the hair follicles shrink and produce thinner, shorter, and less pigmented hair.
This natural aging process can result in Senescent Alopecia, contributing to hair thinning.
Nutritional deficiencies
A diet lacking essential nutrients can make the thickness disappear from your hair, leaving it thinner.
You need essential nutrients like Amino acids and proteins for thick hair.
Underlying health conditions
Certain health conditions can affect your hair texture, making it thin.
Here’s a list of some of the medical conditions that cause hair texture change:
- Hypothyroidism
- Hormonal imbalances
- Autoimmune disorders
Gray hair
Graying hair is a common thing that every individual has to face.
It happens when there is a loss of pigment (melanin) in the hair shaft, leading to the appearance of gray or white hair strands.
Here are the common causes of graying hair:
Genetics
Genetics plays an essential role in graying of hair.
If your parents or close relatives experienced premature graying, there is a higher chance that you may also develop gray hair at an earlier age.
Aging
As we all know, aging is a common cause of gray hair.
As we age, the Melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, gradually decrease activity.
It results in reduced melanin production and subsequent graying of the hair.
Stress
Stress, even in young adults, has become common these days.
Due to this, people have premature hair graying issues.
According to a National Institutes of Health newsletter, Melanocyte stem function may be affected by stress, resulting in gray hair.
Excessive oiliness
Excessive oiliness in hair makes it appear greasy, flat, and lacking volume.
This can happen because of several factors. Some of them are:
Sebaceous Gland Overactivity
The primary cause of oily hair is the overactivity of the sebaceous glands in the scalp.
It is also known as the oil gland.
Hormonal imbalances, such as those induced by puberty, pregnancy, or certain medical conditions, may stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.
This can make your scalp and hair oily.
Inadequate hair cleansing
Not frequently shampooing or inadequate cleansing can lead to oily hair.
When the scalp isn’t cleaned regularly, excess sebum, sweat, and dirt can accumulate, making the hair appear greasier or oily.
Change in curl pattern
If you have curly hair, you may sometimes notice that your curls appear differently.
It may feel dry, lack the bounce, or don’t coil up as before.
Here are some of the prime reasons that may change your curl pattern:
Lack of moisture
Insufficient hydration, both internally and externally, can contribute to dry hair.
Not drinking enough water and not using moisturizing hair products may leave the hair dry.
Wrong hair products
Some hair products, particularly those containing strong chemicals or harsh ingredients, can cause damage to the hair shaft, resulting in changes to the curl pattern.
It’s vital to choose hair products suitable for your hair type and avoid those that can cause excessive dryness or damage.
Takeaway
Changes in hair texture can be a common occurrence and are influenced by various factors.
The dryness of the hair can be caused by overwashing, excessive use of heat-styling products, chemical treatments, or exposure to environmental factors.
Thinning hair can result from aging, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying health conditions.
Graying hair is a natural part of aging, influenced by genetics and stress.
Excessive oiliness in hair is often caused by overactivity of the sebaceous glands or inadequate hair cleansing.
Changes in curl patterns can be attributed to a lack of moisture and improper hair products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What illness can change your hair texture?
Several health or medical conditions may change the texture of your hair. It includes Hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune disorders. Your hair may appear to be thinner than usual.
Can extreme stress change hair texture?
Yes. Extreme stress may change the texture of your hair. The hair that once appeared black and thick can be thin and gray due to stress. Moreover, premature hair graying has been prominently seen in many young adults because of extreme stress.
Why is my hair suddenly different?
Your hair may sometimes suddenly appear different. There can be many underlying causes for the change in hair texture. It includes frequently using heat-styling products, chemical treatments, inadequate hair cleansing, etc.
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