Sadly Hair Loss Is Part of Aging
Men and Women lose their hair and how fast you start to shed is mostly down to genetics. However, there are other many factors that contribute to premature thinning, hair loss, and baldness like stress, poor diet, and hormonal changes. If hair loss is the bane of your existence, take note of these 15 ways your lifestyle and even the products you use, could be speeding up shredding.
1. Scalp Conditions
It’s not just your hair you need to pay attention to, a dry or irritated scalp also equates to weak, brittle locks and dandruff which can speed up loss. And that’s not all, fungal infections on the scalp including ringworm directly cause hair loss. Healthy scalp, healthy hair.
2. Haywire Hormones
Women are prone to fluctuating hormones that go into overdrive during pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause all of which can lead to hair loss according to the health experts at Forbes. Hormonal imbalances also wreak havoc on the thyroid which can also trigger premature thinning. Have your hormone levels checked and take recommended supplements to support you through the changing life cycles.
3. Stress is the Enemy
Hair is not necessary for survival and it’s the first to go in times of stress, emotional duress, or illness. Physical and emotional stress shocks the hair’s natural growth cycle triggering temporary hair loss. Keep your physical and mental health in check with exercise, meditation, and mindfulness.
4. Unhealthy Diet
If you live off a diet of processed and fatty foods you are likely lacking essential nutrients like iron, vitamin D, and protein. These deficiencies weaken the hair follicles and contribute to shedding and hair loss. Eat a well-balanced diet and boost your intake of omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.
5. Toxic Products
Your favorite haircare products could be damaging your hair and scalp and speed up thinning. Harsh chemicals like sulfate—strong cleansing chemicals found in shampoo and conditioner andformaldehyde which is present in some styling products can irritate the scalp, and damage the hair follicles causing shredding and loss. It’s best to use clean, organic, sulfate-free hair products.
6. Hair Styling
The way you style your hair could also be causing it to thin faster. Tight styles such as ponytails, braids, and buns put pressure on strands causing them to snap and may also trigger traction alopecia leading to temporary hair loss. Take it easy when styling and also use a gentle hairbrush.
7. Heat Styling
We all love our hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons but the assault from heat styling can weaken the hair shaft and strands and cause breakages. This all adds up to dry, brittle hair, split ends and a loss of volume. Take a break and let your hair dry naturally and always use heat-protective styling products.
8. Toxic Nasties
If you regularly dye your hair and undergo salon hair treatments like perms and relaxes you are subjecting your hair to harsh toxic chemicals which damage the hair follicles, causing dry brittle strands and hair loss. If you need to cover the greys, use gentle vegetable dyes and boost the condition of your hair with products designed to nourish chemically treated hair.
9. Medication Warning
We all know chemotherapy causes severe hair loss, but you might not be aware there are other drugs such as anti-depressants and blood pressure medications where shedding is a side effect. Do your research on the medication you are taking and try to counter it by taking keratin supplements which promote healthy hair growth.
10. Aging Out
There’s no getting around it, as we age our hair growth naturally slows down and becomes thinner, drier, more brittle, and prone to falling out. Again it’s important to eat healthily, exercise regularly, and lead a stress-free lifestyle to prevent premature aging as this rapidly increases hair loss.
11. Watch Your Weight
Rapid or significant weight loss causes stress in the body and induces temporary hair shedding according to Women’s Health. If you’re overweight or obese, your diet can also contribute to hair loss as oxidative stress and inflammation in the body send signals to the hair’s cells instructing them to block follicle regeneration.
12. Birth Control
Hormonal changes can wreak havoc on hair. For some women starting or stopping birth control, the hormonal fluctuation can trigger temporary hair loss.
13. Environmental Assault
Like our skin, our hair is weakened and damaged by environmental factors such as extreme weather, sun damage, pollution, and exposure to toxic chemicals. Protect your hair and scalp by wearing a hat in the harsh sun and being mindful about the chemicals in the products you use on your hair, skin, and in your home.
14. Stop Smoking
Smoking cigarettes and vaping is bad for your health for a multitude of reasons including increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It also causes premature aging, dries out the skin, and reduces blood flow to the scalp, slowing hair growth and speeding up hair loss.
15. Sleep Disturbances
Lack of sleep, poor quality sleep and not getting enough rest upsets your nervous system, increases stress, and throws your hormones out of whack. This all takes a toll on the health of your hair, disrupting healthy growth and accelerating loss.