The night shift has its benefits and drawbacks. Positively, you frequently receive a greater pay rate than the day shift. On the other hand, due to your work schedule, you periodically miss out on family gatherings and social occasions. But is the possibility of losing your hair one of those night shift drawbacks?
Can working a night shift cause hair loss?
Some persons may experience hair loss as a result of the stress associated with working the night shift. For the majority, it is fortunately only a short-term issue that can be resolved by eating a nutritious diet and lowering stress.
You lose 80 to 100 hair strands on average each day. An abrupt change in your lifestyle, such as beginning a night shift job, can cause more obvious hair loss. The first step in choosing a course of treatment is to determine the kind of hair loss you’re experiencing.
Hair Loss Types
The first two types of hair loss are the most straightforward to distinguish. Traction alopecia is the name of one. With the right diet, the other variety can be treated.
Treadmill Hair Loss
This kind of hair loss happens when your hair has been styled for a very long time or too tightly. The hair can become harmed by braids, cornrows, extensions, and even ponytails. The result of the strain is bald spots and thinning hair. 12-hour shift—who said it?
Deficiencies in nutrition
The night shift encourages bad eating habits that, if uncontrolled, can lead to hair loss. The most frequent factors in this group are inadequate protein intake, low iron levels, or vitamin deficiencies. You can rule out this form of hair loss with a straightforward blood test.
The following category of hair loss types includes anything from side effects to heredity. It includes one that has been connected to working nights. This division also addresses hair loss brought on by illnesses and medical procedures.
Alopecia Androgenetic
The most prevalent type of hair loss that people suffer is hereditary hair loss. Any age following the start of puberty can experience it. This kind of hair loss is thought to be brought on by hormonal changes.
Areata alopecia
The immune system’s assault on the hair follicles is thought to be the cause of this type of hair loss. Although it can happen everywhere on the body, the face and scalp tend to be the most affected areas. This type of hair loss manifests as big coin-sized circular patches.
Atomic
This kind of hair loss, which is regarded as a side effect, occurs as a result of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It is a sudden loss of hair that can happen anywhere on the body. A fungus infection or an autoimmune condition can also cause this kind of hair loss.
Halogen Fluorescence
If you’ve ruled out every one of the aforementioned causes of hair loss, this one might be the problem. This transient hair loss sheds in bunches. Halogen Effluvium can appear for a variety of reasons, such as
- Stress Extremely rapid weight loss
- thyroid problems
- Surgery
- having a baby
- medication side effects
Some signs of this particular form of hair loss point to a connection between hormones, notably estrogen. This link has led to the development of effective hair regrowth treatments.
The Science of Hair Loss
The key causing hair loss has been revealed by recent investigations. Researchers have identified the protein that controls the growth cycle of hair follicles. Even better, stem cells from hair follicles can be used to treat a variety of diseases, heal injuries, and repair organs.
The protein TGF (Transforming Growth Factor)-beta regulates when the cells in hair follicles split to make new cells. The follicle cells’ apoptosis, or death, is likewise controlled by it. There will be significant improvements in treatment and therapy as a result of this new knowledge of how human cells are created and die.
When Should You Seek Hair Loss Treatment?
The sort of hair loss you’re experiencing will determine when you should seek medical assistance. It’s a good idea to visit your doctor for a checkup and blood testing to rule out any medical conditions that might be the source of your hair loss. They can provide you more information about any nutritional inadequacies you might be having.
Thankfully, a huge range of foods include sizable levels of dietary fiber. You may give your hair a chance by include a few of these nutrients in your everyday diet. Dietary fiber-rich foods include the following:
Seeds and Nuts
Flax seeds, chia seeds, coconut, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and almonds, pecans, and coconut
Veggies and fruits
fruits and vegetables such as raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, apples, pears, prunes, avocado, sweet potatoes, artichokes, Brussels sprouts, popcorn, seaweed, and greens.
Grains and Legumes
Whole wheat, bran, barley, lentils, split peas, black beans, Lima beans, peanuts, chickpeas, Lima beans, lentils, and soybeans.
There are many advantages of high-fiber diets for night shift workers. You can maintain steady blood sugar levels by eating these meals. As a result, avoiding processed sugars and caffeine will prevent you from feeling the excessive energy highs and lows that they cause. Diets high in fiber are excellent for preventing weight gain during night shift work.
Fiber-rich diets help your digestion, reduce your cholesterol, and give you more energy. Even better, consuming a diet high in fiber reduces inflammation and improves sleep. Additionally, fiber boosts the beneficial bacteria (prebiotics) in your gut that nourish the probiotics you consume, such as yogurt.
When compared to day shift workers, working the night shift poses more health risks. Increasing your intake of fiber will not only save your hair, but also your life. Fiber can decrease your risk of developing several malignancies, help control hypertension, and prolong your life.
Strong hair development requires substantial amounts of proteins in addition to different kinds of fiber. Red meat, eggs, and fatty seafood that is high in omega-3 fatty acids are your best sources. Your overall health and wellness will improve as a result of developing a better diet.
