Maybe you're noticing a slight change in your hairline, a lot more hair coming out in your hairbrush or showers, or even noticeable bald patches that are beginning to appear. Sometimes the reason is easy to pinpoint, with hormonal imbalances, disorders, or medication being the root cause of hair loss. But sometimes the reason is hidden in our daily habits, and below are the common culprits that most of us overlook.
You're under (or over) conditioning your hair
Conditioner is meant to restore the sebum that's removed from your hair during shampooing. If you strip all of the natural oils out of your hair with shampoo and don't restore them in some way, you're going to notice dry, brittle hair that breaks easily and starts to thin out. Foregoing conditioner is the same as aggressively washing and exfoliating your skin and never adding moisture back to soothe it. Conditioner is needed not only to coat and protect your strands from breakage, but to aid in detangling your hair after a shower. But be careful not to overdo it with conditioner if your strands are particularly fine. The conditioner can weigh your hair down, and it will make it look greasy and flat.
Too much processing
Over-processed hair is one of the biggest ways we trigger our own hair loss. Ammonia-rich hair dyes and strand-destroying bleaching can drain the life out of your hair quickly, leading to breakage and hair loss. If you absolutely must dye your hair, opt for ammonia-free formulations or use protective agents with your bleach to reduce the impact of the chemicals on your hair health.
Tight hairstyles
We love an Ariana Grande-inspired high ponytail just as much as the next person, but they're torture on your locks. The relentless tug on your hair all day eventually leads to your hair giving way and unplucking from your scalp. And keeping it in a ponytail means that your scalp's natural oils aren't reaching the end of your strands like it should. if ponytails are necessity to you, keep the bands you use soft and gentle and be sure to let your hair down (literally) at the end of the day. And never go to bed with your hair up.
You're too stressed
In the words of Taylor Swift, you need to calm down. It's for your own good (and your hairline, too!). Stress causes an increase in cortisol levels which can lead to noticeable hair loss, so make a point of managing your stress in every way possible. Your hair, and the rest of your mind and body, will thank you.
Your diet
Malnutrition is a contributing factor for hair loss, so if you're engaging in extreme dieting or you've had weight loss surgery, your hair will start to show it. The easiest way to treat this is to simply change your diet, but if that isn't an option due to a recent surgery, consider supplements and topical hair treatments to hold you over until you're able to correct your diet. We recommend adding in a vitamin D supplement as well since most people are deficient in this vitamin and it can go a long way in helping hair growth.
Too much heat
Before you reach for your flat iron or curling wand and turn the temperature to the highest setting, step back and remember that cuticle damage starts at 350 degrees fahrenheit. And if adding oil to your hair is part of your post-shower routine, it can heat up quickly and accelerate damage (serums applied to the scalp are safe though). Try giving your hair a break from time to time with the heat styling and let it go au naturale. Besides, beach hair is in, so embrace it!
Trying to treat hair loss?
Topicals like the Hair Regrowth System are a wonderful way to treat hair loss, but if you are struggling with finding the root cause, make an appointment with us today to see what treatment options are available.
