Your hair is such a huge part of your appearance, it’s also one of the first things people notice about you. So when you start seeing changes like hair breakage, thinning hair or hair loss, it’s natural to have lots of questions and concerns.

Below are a few of the common questions my patients ask me. Questions such as, what is the normal amount of hair loss I can expect to lose as I age? How do I keep the hair I have from falling out? Could my diet cause hair loss? If you don’t see your question and answer here, leave it in the comment and I’ll do my best to answer it.

Does hair stop growing when you get older?

While your hair doesn’t stop growing as you age, the growth cycle does change. As we age, our hair follicles often produce hair that is thinner and less pigmented. The natural growth cycle, which includes growing, resting, and shedding phases, also slows down.

While both men and women start to see thinning hair women, more than men, tend to use harsher chemicals on their hair to cover the gray. As a result, as women age they tend to notice their hair strands appear drier and more brittle. Both sexes will experience slower hair regrowth.

Solution: There are things you can do to keep your hair follicles healthy even as you age. Washing your hair with shampoos that are less abrasive and use products to cover your gray instead of bleaching it.

If you do these things and still notice hair loss, it could be physiological and an undiagnosed medical condition such as a thyroid condition. Consult with your healthcare provider or hair loss specialist.

Does my scalp need to be moisturized? Won’t it just make my hair flat and greasy?

If you have fine hair, you not want to use conditioner on your scalp fearing it will clog the pores and/or weigh down fine hair you do have. Just like your face requires moisturizing, your scalp can also benefit from hydration.

Solution: Choose a conditioner that is non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores. Massage it into your scalp and pull it through to the ends of your hair. Also try a leave-in conditioner.

Does using just a little heat styling actually damage your hair?

“A little” heat styling probably won’t damage your hair that much, but most women who use flat irons and hair dryers to style their hair aren’t just doing it a little bit – they’re doing it every day. If you are styling your hair every day, it could cause hair damage, and breakage.

Solutions: To reduce the damage caused by heat, try skipping a day or two between uses. Invest in good quality dryers, flat irons and curling irons, and use them on the lowest setting possible. Use products that protect the hair strands from heat.

Does your diet actually affect your hair?

Your hair is a part of your body, so yes, your diet does affect it. Hair is made up of 90% protein, so if you don’t get enough nutrients, you may experience hair loss.

Solution: Your hair is affected by what you eat. Maintaining a healthy diet is important to hair growth. Choose foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon and flax seeds. Eat plenty of dark leafy green vegetables, as they provide a strong sources of vitamins A and C, which is needed by the follicles to produce sebum. Some of my patients take supplements like biotin and feel it helps with hair growth.

Vegetarians and vegans will want to be sure to supplement your diet with protein from legumes and beans as well as iron for maximum hair health.

Should you worry if your scalp itches?

Many people with scalp problems don’t even know it. A dry scalp not only produces those dandruff flakes you notice, it could be the sign of something more serious. An inflamed scalp could be the sign of an allergic reaction leading to Alopecia, or balding.

A study published in JAMA Dermatology found a connection between alopecia and certain medical conditions: Researchers looked at 350 people with diagnosed alopecia areata and found that 38% had a genetic disposition to allergies, like allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eczema, 35% had contact dermatitis, and 14% had thyroid disease.

Solution: If your scalp still feels dry and itchy, your scalp could be telling you something more serious is going on. Consult with your healthcare provider or hair loss specialist.

Restoring Hair for Men and Women

Are you experiencing hereditary hair loss? To find out more about which treatment options are available for hair loss and thinning hair as well as other African-American hair loss treatments specifically designed for Afro-textured hair, schedule a Frank & Honest Hair Consultation or contact our team in New York City or Columbus, Ohio.

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