“I wish I lost some weight instead of losing hair!”
Have you thought of this as many times as I have?
Well, it’s the first thing I say to myself while looking at my pillow right after waking up.
Or at least I used to.
My hair loss was so bad that one could spot my scalp shining radiantly under the spared strands.
These days, I look in the mirror and I’m like, “Hey, has it already gotten thicker?” or, “OMG, my baby hairs look adorable!”
These effective tips and tricks helped me to prevent hair fall and regain my hair along with my confidence.
Here are the 10 ‘H’s of Hair fall:
Hygiene
Washing hair with gentle shampoo regularly keeps the scalp clean and free from sweat, oil, dandruff and infections that might cause your hair to fall from breakage. Keeping hair oil-free makes it look voluminous.
Health
Disease
Your hair fall could be an indicator of your poor health or nutritional status. If you have noticeable weight loss in a short period without any obvious cause, it might be time to give your doctor a visit.
Vitamin Deficiency
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Vitamins A, B, C, D and E supplements can prevent hair loss to a certain extent. You must consult your doctor before taking supplements. Anything in excess may cause harm. In this case, Vit A when taken in excess is known to cause hair fall instead of preventing it.
Micronutrients
Minerals like Iron, Zinc and Selenium have considerable roles in the prevention of hair fall. Foods like spinach, shrimp, flax seeds and chia seeds are rich in these minerals and should ideally be consumed more than 3 times a week.[1]
Diet
Diet consisting of foods like raw veggies and greens, berries, nuts, meat, fish, eggs, low-fat dairy products and avocados contain amino acids, proteins, omega-3-fatty acids and antioxidants reduce the risk of hair fall.
Habits
Combing wet hair
Certain habits like brushing or combing wet hair tend to multiply your hair fall.
Using fine-toothed combs
Avoid using fine-toothed combs as it causes more hair fall.
Frequent combing
Repeatedly combing and brushing hair causes them to break more often.
You can use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to untangle your hair to prevent loss of hair.
Heat
Hairstyling equipment like hairdryers, hair straighteners and curlers produce a lot of heat. When heat is applied to the hair, it weakens the shaft to the hair and breaks the strands causing more hair fall.
So avoid using hair dryers frequently and make a habit of air drying your hair. It will save you time and a lot of hair.
Harmful chemicals
Colour and dyes
Hair dyes may contain toxic chemicals like ammonia and hydrogen peroxides which damage the hair. They do not restrict the new growth, but the colored hair shafts are weakened and breakage might occur.
Chemicals
Avoid direct contact with swimming pool water that contains chlorine.
Other chemicals that you should stay away from are mercury, iron, lead and copper.
According to Lordhair, chemicals in shampoos that you might want to be aware of are sulphates, sodium chloride, parabens, propylene glycol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and chemical fragrances.
Instead, opt for those shampoos and hair care products that are nature-based or have the least chemical constituents. Always check the back of the product for the components they have used in it.
Hot showers
You might have noticed more hair fall when you take a hot bath.
If you haven’t, you can check it the next time you go in for a hot shower.
Hot water on the scalp causes the pores to open. Hair becomes loosely attached to the follicles and can come off with the least effort.
That’s why it is recommended to wash hair with cool water to prevent hair loss.
Hair oiling
Hair oiling is another sure method that can help you prevent hair loss.
Oil of Indian gooseberry, commonly called Amla is enriched with Vit C which helps to repair the follicles. Coconut oil protects the hair from damage and strengthens it. It reduces hair fall effectively with the additional benefits of conditioning the hair.
Another widely used oil is olive oil. It has high antioxidant properties and protects the hair. It nourishes the scalp and promotes hair health.
Headaches
Stress and related things like headaches are some of the biggest reasons for hair fall.
Exercise is one way to release stress. It releases ‘feel good chemicals’ called endorphins in the body.
Another emerging stress-releasing practice is- Yoga and Meditation. Including these practices in daily life keeps your mind, body, soul (and hair!) healthy.
If you have no time whatsoever, there are a variety of foods that we call ‘stressbusters’.
These foods release ‘happy hormones’ like serotonin and dopamine, that act in the brain to reduce stress and anxiety. So next time you stress-eat, make sure to eat eggs, bananas, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, and the best, dark chocolate!
Hydration
Your hair, like any other part of the body, requires moisture. Dehydration will cause your hair to be brittle and cause breakage. Ensure that you drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated.
According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, a daily fluid intake of about 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women is adequate. Hydration helps not only with your hair loss but also with wrinkled skin.
Hairstyles
Certain hairstyles that pull your hair backward cause friction to your hair and cause breakage. It is best to avoid tight hairstyles like a tight bun, ponytail or braids. It’s important to let your hair down often. Even if you tie ponytails or braid your hair, make sure it is not very tight around the scalp.
If you remember and follow these 10 tips that I’ve shared, you will save a lot of hair.
Have you thought of this as many times as I have?
Well, it’s the first thing I say to myself while looking at my pillow right after waking up.
Or at least I used to.
My hair loss was so bad that one could spot my scalp shining radiantly under the spared strands.
These days, I look in the mirror and I’m like, “Hey, has it already gotten thicker?” or, “OMG, my baby hairs look adorable!”
These effective tips and tricks helped me to prevent hair fall and regain my hair along with my confidence.
Here are the 10 ‘H’s of Hair fall:
Hygiene
Washing hair with gentle shampoo regularly keeps the scalp clean and free from sweat, oil, dandruff and infections that might cause your hair to fall from breakage. Keeping hair oil-free makes it look voluminous.
Health
Disease
Your hair fall could be an indicator of your poor health or nutritional status. If you have noticeable weight loss in a short period without any obvious cause, it might be time to give your doctor a visit.
Vitamin Deficiency
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Vitamins A, B, C, D and E supplements can prevent hair loss to a certain extent. You must consult your doctor before taking supplements. Anything in excess may cause harm. In this case, Vit A when taken in excess is known to cause hair fall instead of preventing it.
Micronutrients
Minerals like Iron, Zinc and Selenium have considerable roles in the prevention of hair fall. Foods like spinach, shrimp, flax seeds and chia seeds are rich in these minerals and should ideally be consumed more than 3 times a week.[1]
Diet
Diet consisting of foods like raw veggies and greens, berries, nuts, meat, fish, eggs, low-fat dairy products and avocados contain amino acids, proteins, omega-3-fatty acids and antioxidants reduce the risk of hair fall.
Habits
Combing wet hair
Certain habits like brushing or combing wet hair tend to multiply your hair fall.
Using fine-toothed combs
Avoid using fine-toothed combs as it causes more hair fall.
Frequent combing
Repeatedly combing and brushing hair causes them to break more often.
You can use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to untangle your hair to prevent loss of hair.
Heat
Hairstyling equipment like hairdryers, hair straighteners and curlers produce a lot of heat. When heat is applied to the hair, it weakens the shaft to the hair and breaks the strands causing more hair fall.
So avoid using hair dryers frequently and make a habit of air drying your hair. It will save you time and a lot of hair.
Harmful chemicals
Colour and dyes
Hair dyes may contain toxic chemicals like ammonia and hydrogen peroxides which damage the hair. They do not restrict the new growth, but the colored hair shafts are weakened and breakage might occur.
Chemicals
Avoid direct contact with swimming pool water that contains chlorine.
Other chemicals that you should stay away from are mercury, iron, lead and copper.
According to Lordhair, chemicals in shampoos that you might want to be aware of are sulphates, sodium chloride, parabens, propylene glycol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and chemical fragrances.
Instead, opt for those shampoos and hair care products that are nature-based or have the least chemical constituents. Always check the back of the product for the components they have used in it.
Hot showers
You might have noticed more hair fall when you take a hot bath.
If you haven’t, you can check it the next time you go in for a hot shower.
Hot water on the scalp causes the pores to open. Hair becomes loosely attached to the follicles and can come off with the least effort.
That’s why it is recommended to wash hair with cool water to prevent hair loss.
Hair oiling
Hair oiling is another sure method that can help you prevent hair loss.
Oil of Indian gooseberry, commonly called Amla is enriched with Vit C which helps to repair the follicles. Coconut oil protects the hair from damage and strengthens it. It reduces hair fall effectively with the additional benefits of conditioning the hair.
Another widely used oil is olive oil. It has high antioxidant properties and protects the hair. It nourishes the scalp and promotes hair health.
Headaches
Stress and related things like headaches are some of the biggest reasons for hair fall.
Exercise is one way to release stress. It releases ‘feel good chemicals’ called endorphins in the body.
Another emerging stress-releasing practice is- Yoga and Meditation. Including these practices in daily life keeps your mind, body, soul (and hair!) healthy.
If you have no time whatsoever, there are a variety of foods that we call ‘stressbusters’.
These foods release ‘happy hormones’ like serotonin and dopamine, that act in the brain to reduce stress and anxiety. So next time you stress-eat, make sure to eat eggs, bananas, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, and the best, dark chocolate!
Hydration
Your hair, like any other part of the body, requires moisture. Dehydration will cause your hair to be brittle and cause breakage. Ensure that you drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated.
According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, a daily fluid intake of about 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women is adequate. Hydration helps not only with your hair loss but also with wrinkled skin.
Hairstyles
Certain hairstyles that pull your hair backward cause friction to your hair and cause breakage. It is best to avoid tight hairstyles like a tight bun, ponytail or braids. It’s important to let your hair down often. Even if you tie ponytails or braid your hair, make sure it is not very tight around the scalp.
If you remember and follow these 10 tips that I’ve shared, you will save a lot of hair.