Hair shedding usually is reversible while you can tame hair loss if you take action quickly enough. There are various reasons why hair loss occurs, and this article will answer some questions you have about thinning hair. Not only are you going to find out why your hair is falling, but you’ll also receive some insightful tips on what you can do to stop it.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is a hair loss condition which results from repetitive strain on hair follicles resulting in their inability to produce healthy hair strands. Your hairstyle choices such as ponytails, weaves, clip-in hairpieces are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to this type of hair loss. If the tension on the hair follicles persists, it begins to diminish in size, blood flow reduces, and it loses nutrients. Areas of sparse hair coverage develop over the affected areas.
The answer to traction alopecia is getting to know your hair. You should have an intimate knowledge of how much hair you have, how thick and dense the coverage etc. This way, if anything starts changing such as hair becoming shorter or thinner, more or less elastic, you know something is up.
Change up your hairstyle, if you must have extensions, make sure they are not too tight and resist the urge to pull your hair back into a knot all the time.
Excessive Heat Treatments
Hot styling tools such as curling wands, straighteners and your hairdryer will lead to dry hair. Daily use will make your hair prone to breakage along the stem or shaft as well as increasing shedding. Dry heat weakens the shaft resulting in hair that’s difficult to style. What most people then do is turn up the heat, which creates a vicious cycle with disastrous consequences for your hair.
Do this instead. If your straighteners or curling irons do not have some form of heating control, bin them! Choose heat tools with a temperature dial and use them on a lower setting. Also, to minimise the damage the tools cause, avoid going over the same area of hair several times. Using a heat defence spray, thoroughly towel drying your hair and using the tools for the shortest time possible will also help.
Quit Adding Colour To Your Hair
Bleach is a component of most hair dyes and dyeing your hair too often can contribute to hair loss. Overprocessing your hair can lead to weakening hair shafts and damage due to the chemicals for extended periods. The characteristics of hair which has lost its elasticity include a choppy, straw-like texture, lack of volume and uneven layers. Thinning becomes more evident in hair damaged by excessive colour treatments.
So what can you do about it? Give your hair a break and put a stop to frequently dyeing your hair. If you’re that in love with colour options such as semi-permanent colour or highlighting may be a better fit. Use a hydrating leave-in moisturiser or use hair conditioning or repair products to help restore your hair to good health.
Aggressive Hair Brushing
Thorough brush of hair stimulates the scalp, which can often encourage hair growth. However, the line between gentle and aggressive brushing can sometimes be hair-thin. As much as hair brushing is an essential part of your hair-care routine, tugging and pulling and too much pressure could result in breakage. If you have a habit of brushing wet hair, stop it because hair is more fragile when wet.
Choose your hairbrush wisely, preferably one with rounded plastic prongs and a base with cushioning. You don’t want to use excessive force, but your brush should also detangle your hair gently while brushing.
Use the correct technique, always brushing from the ends while using your hand to hold your hair tight to avoid pulling. Curly hair will benefit immensely from this technique as it avoids frizzing and knotting. A wide-toothed comb will also minimise breakage and so will more conditioner.
Are You Suffering From Seasonal Hair Loss?
Skin, mood and of course hair all go through phases as seasons change. Summer and winter alike have damaging effects on your hair. Summer activities such as spending time in the sea or chlorinated swimming pools can be harmful to your hair. Dehydration, dull, faded hair and split ends are some of the effects of sun and water on your hair.
Research reveals a link between hair loss and seasonal changes. Naturally, hair goes into a resting phase, Telogen, during which hair falls out. July sees a lot of women’s hair going into Telogen, and the result is a lot of hair loss during October.
Taming your ends will help get your hair ready for summer. Hydrating your hair before entering the sea or swimming will provide an extra protective layer to your hair. As a general precaution, do not leave it too long between trims. The end will get too dry and split, making an already bad situation worse.
Is Your Lifestyle Causing Hair Loss?
Stress is the leading cause of reversible hair loss in women. The impact of stress on your mental and physical wellbeing is profound, not to mention your hair. Cortisol, the stress hormone, goes up in stressful situations and triggers the flight or fight response. This affects the hair growth cycle by diverting vital nutrients to other parts of the body (muscles and brains etc).
Thinning hair is a classic symptom of Vitamin D and B12. Lack of protein affects the synthesis of the protein keratin, which gives hair it’s structure and strength. Following a vegetarian or vegan diet may result in dull hair and supplementation may be a decision you need to make.
Dealing with stress before it gets out of hand and seeking help when you can’t cope will help turn the tide of hair loss. Ensure you get enough protein in your diet and making the necessary changes in your diet is lacking. Omega-3 supplements and other supplements will help.
Final Word
Losing hair is difficult to accept and deal with. There are many reasons why this could be happening. It could be the changing seasons, the heat tools you use for styling or even your hair brushing technique. If you are experiencing hair loss even after changing your diet and trimming the ends, you should seek professional help.
