Hair loss is generally caused by three things: heredity, chemical imbalances and physical stress. While there is no preventing the first cause, the second two are often triggered by environmental factors relating to health, hygiene and personal care.
Adults who have bad habits regarding any of these environmental factors could be the cause of their own hair loss. To figure out which habits to cut out before your hair falls out, here are some of the ones most frequently associated with hair loss:
Stress Overload
Stress is a prime culprit for hair loss. Severe stress can trigger hormonal reactions and “survival responses” from your body that sometimes cause hair follicles to go inactive. Those who live stressful lifestyles may also tend to agitate their scalp or their hair, compounding the problem.
Relieving stress is not easy, but there are some components to tackle that can help reduce anxiety or stress in certain situations:
- Make lists of chores and tasks to accomplish by the end of the day or week to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Wake up well before you have to be at work to eat a good breakfast and not feel rushed.
- Electronic devices with monitors are suspected to project wavelengths of light that interfere with the body’s ability to relax. Participate in several hours of “no screen” time during the week by reading, meditating, listening to music or simply enjoying the day.
- Your body can carry stress physically, so engage in stretching, yoga, calisthenics or aerobics to relieve physical tension for four or more hours a week.
- Use mental redirection to steer yourself from unproductive, stress-inducing thought patterns.
- Plan a vacation once a year to engage in new experiences and break your routine.
Obviously, if stress relief were as simple as following these bullets, then therapy would not be a multi-billion dollar industry. However, taking steps to recognize and address your tension or anxiety can help you begin to control the issue.
Poor Diet
Just like stress, malnutrition can cause the body to go into survival mode and ditch non-essential elements like your hair. Patients suffering from anorexia, for example, can count severe hair loss among their resulting conditions.
Be sure to eat breakfast, have at least three meals a day and frequently substitute starches or meat rich in saturated fat for colorful vegetables and lean proteins. Lean proteins in particular are essential for building healthy follicles and encouraging hair growth.
Chicken, beans, lentils, eggs and seafood all tend to have healthy proteins in them, along with a low saturated fat content. Leafy vegetables can provide iron as well as other essential minerals and vitamins to enrich your hair growth. Try this delicious grilled chicken and kale salad recipe to get you inspired to eat foods that make your hair look great.
Improper Hair Care
Be good to your hair, and it will be good to you in return. On the other hand, mistreat it and you may encounter brittle hair, weakened follicles, an irritated scalp and other hair loss-related problems.
Some tips to pamper your hair:
- Avoid taking too hot of showers, and rinse hair with cool water.
- Never brush or aggressively towel off your hair when it is still wet; follicles are weaker after soaking. Consider using a T-shirt to blot out water rather than a towel for gentler drying.
- Avoid too much heat from blow dryers, straighteners or curlers.
- Avoid products that make hair feel stiff or greasy. These can contribute to clogged follicles and other scalp issues.
- Never pull or wrap your hair too tight, which can stress and permanently damage follicles over time.
- Be cautious about using home hair dyes, which can dry out the scalp.
- Wear sunscreen or a hat to avoid sunburning your scalp.
- Address dandruff problems with shampoos containing tea tree oil, selenium or zinc pyrithione.
Some adults suffering from hair loss may be experiencing their condition as a result of the medication they are taking, including birth control and some vitamin supplements. Others may have an autoimmune condition or simply genetic hair loss. The only way to know for sure is to visit a licensed dermatologist and have your condition diagnosed professionally. Visit our hair loss resource page to learn more.
Hair Restoration for Men and Women
Are you experiencing Alopecia or thinning hair? We encourage you to find out more about the variety of options available to treat hair loss in men and women. It’s important to consult with an experienced and trained restoration professional.
To learn more about which treatment option is right for you, schedule a Frank & Honest Hair Consultation or contact our team in New York City or Columbus, Ohio.
