Hair loss can be challenging aesthetically and emotionally for many women. The good news is there are simple ways to prevent hair loss and these methods can be easily added to your daily routines.
It should first be noted that hair loss can be tied to our genetics. If you feel like you’re doing everything right, you may still ask, “why is my hair falling out?” and the answer is likely thanks to your family genetics. The longevity of our hair can depend heavily on mom and dad’s hair health and hair loss, but adopting healthy hair habits will only benefit the health, length, and growth of your hair.
We’ve put together a few simple ways to boost the health of your hair and promote growth and volume. Here are 10 ways to stop hair loss.
Eat well and drink lots of water
The saying you are what you eat is not cliché! Eating a balanced diet with enough protein and rich, lush, leafy greens and other vegetables not only helps prevent hair loss but also promotes hair growth. Stock your kitchen with foods that are high in vitamins and minerals such as B12 and zinc. Nuts, beans, lean meats, and fish should also be part of your meal plan – your hair and your waistline will surely benefit.
Drinking plenty of water is one foundation of overall good health—and the best part? It’s pretty easy to do. Drinking lots of water promotes good skin, improves digestion, and helps to prevent hair loss. Invest in a reusable bottle so you can always keep hydrated on the go. There are even apps available to help you track and remind you of your water consumption throughout the day.
In case you were wondering, eight glasses of water is a good place to start.
Check your iron
Iron deficiencies impact hair loss as iron is needed to help produce hair cell proteins. Those with anemia, a condition that occurs when there is a lack of red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues, will usually experience hair loss among other symptoms. According to the Office of Women’s Health, Iron-deficiency anemia affects more women than men. However, it is a condition that can be treated and also a condition that can come and go. Iron supplements can help promote more iron in the body, as well as eating foods that are high in iron (beans, nuts, leafy greens, and protein-rich foods).
Similar to iron, a lack of vitamin B12 can also affect hair loss as it is also closely linked to the health of red blood cells. Animal protein carries plenty of B12, so many vegans and vegetarians may experience a lack of B12.
A visit to your doctor can help determine whether your iron or B12 levels are affecting your hair loss and it’s always best to consult with your doctor before taking any new supplements or vitamins.
Get stress under control
Stress is the source of so many of today’s modern maladies. Stress negatively impacts all parts of our physical and mental state and can also cause hair loss. Seeking support and professional help helps with stress, but so does simply, taking a break. Whether it’s meditation, yoga, other forms of exercise, taking a personal day off work, or spending time with family and friends, listen to your body and give it the rest it needs. By unwinding and reducing stress, you can easily prevent stress-induced hair loss.
Simple ways to help relax and also promote hair growth is to give yourself a nice scalp massage. Using your fingertips gently rub your scalp for a few minutes all over. Not only is this soothing, but it also promotes blood flow and circulation in the scalp. By getting blood flow going you’re helping to stimulate hair growth. Less stress, more hair? Consider it a must-do. To make the scalp massage even more luxurious add hair oil (more tips later on).
Be aware of your hormones
Hormonal hair loss can be caused by many conditions, most commonly however, it is experienced during pregnancy and post-partum. Hypothyroidism, high estrogen and menopause are also causes of hormonal hair loss. Women dealing with post-partum hair loss can take comfort in knowing it isn’t permanent. Hair will usually grow back within six months after giving birth. Hypothyroidism and high estrogen can be balanced with supplements and vitamins with direction from your doctor. A healthy, balanced diet and good sleep, on top of medical intervention or vitamin supplements, can help treat hormonal hair loss. Doing the research and consulting with your health professional will help determine the best treatment options for you.
Limit chemical styling
Coloring, chemically straightening, curling, or bleaching your hair causes serious damage to the hair strands and the hair shaft. Bleaching, in particular, can also burn and negatively affect your scalp—why do you think your colorist wears gloves? It’s best to keep color treatments to every two months if necessary and avoid chemicals where possible. There are natural color treatments available as alternatives. Chemicals dry out the hair causing frizz and weakened hair shaft. This leads to breakage and hair loss. If you do have chemically-processed hair, be sure to invest in a deep-conditioning treatment once a week depending on the condition of your hair. Avoid or skip coloring or chemical treatments when you can and embrace your natural color or texture. There are all sorts of styling tips and videos – not to mention tools and accessories like hair extensions that can help you achieve the length, volume and sometimes, even the color you want.
Limit heat styling
Just as chemical styling dries out and damages hair, so does your favorite heat styling tools. If your hair is too hot for even you to touch, your tool’s temperature is way too high. Oh, and that burning hair smell? Should never happen. Heat causes hair to become brittle and weak leading to breakage and hair loss.
How to stop hair loss when heat styling
- When blow-drying your hair, keep the nozzle focused on the hair and not your scalp
- Move the blow dryer nozzle around every few seconds, so it’s not focused on just one area of hair constantly.
- Remember to use hair protecting spray or product
- When possible, limit the use of hair straighteners and curlers to once or twice a week.
- Air dry your hair when possible or style it in its natural texture.
Giving your hair a break from heat styling tools can make a world of difference in preventing hair shedding and hair loss.
Use hair extensions wisely
We don’t need to tell you that hair extensions work wonders to help enhance your look and add volume and length that can’t always be achieved with natural hair. However, even we will tell you that hair extensions should be applied and worn for only as long as you need them. This is the beauty of Luxy Hair, the best clip in hair extensions, because they can be easily clipped in before work or a night out, worn for just a few hours and easily removed at the end of the day, causing very minimal damage.
There are a ton of other hair extensions available, from fusion types, braid-ins, tape-ins, and more. The difference with these extensions is that they are kept in for several consecutive days and in some cases weeks. This means there is something attached to your hair 24/7, even as you sleep, constantly pulling and causing friction with your natural hair and pulling on your hair shaft. We always advise Luxy users to remove hair extensions before bed because of the constant moving and contact with your pillow. Imagine the pulling and damage with hair extensions that cannot be removed easily before bed.
Hair extensions are an amazing tool to help you enhance your look, but it’s important to do your research and choose which type is best for you, your lifestyle, and the health of your hair.
Avoid daily ponytails and buns
Any hairstyle that tightly pulls your hair and scalp back is damaging to your hair. Think Ariana Grande-style ponytails every. Single. Day. This constant pulling on your roots will cause hair loss and will also create baldness around the hairline. Opt for low ponytails and don’t tie the hair too tight. Alternate your looks and remember it is daily use of this hairstyle that causes damage, having ponytails or top bun looks once or twice a week certainly won’t hurt.
Another styling trick to help prevent hair loss is also to change your hair part once in a while. Whether you like your hair split down the middle or off to the side, style your hair in a different direction every couple of weeks. Similar to the way tight ponytails will constantly pull at the same [arts of your hair and scalp, styling your hair from the same part will do the same. The constant brushing, blow-drying or styling in that one area can create thinness in the hair shafts, weakening the hair and causing hair loss. Changing up your hair part will also give you another styling option and new looks – who wouldn’t want that?
Sleep more
Sleep is easily one of the simplest remedies that will not only relieve hair loss, but stress as well. Consider this the best step in self-care. Sleep gives our bodies time to recover from the day, it’s also the time when our body and functions experience the most growth. Challenge yourself to get to bed earlier and adding more time to your snooze each day or week. If you can’t get eight hours every single night, try to build better sleep habits to get you close to it.
Use hair oils
Hair oils are natural, affordable ways to promote healthy hair and hair growth. There are a ton of options and you can even make your own at home.
If you’re looking for more hair growth, castor oil is proven to help get longer locks. This goes for the hair on your head, eyelashes, and eyebrows. A couple drops of castor oil applied on your fingers and then evenly distributed through a scalp massage will help promote hair growth. Olive oil and coconut oil are also known to help with hair growth and prevent hair loss. Essential oils such as lavender, carrot seed, cypress and rosemary oils all have regenerative ingredients that can help promote hair and scalp health and hair growth. Add a few drops to your fingertips and hands and rub in your favorite hair oil evenly around your scalp and hairline for a relaxing scalp massage.
Preventing hair loss does not require a lot of work and essentially comes down to adopting healthy habits. From sleep to hydration, being in tune with our hormones and eating well, these are not only steps to create and maintain healthy hair, but overall a healthier lifestyle. Do not feel defeated by hair loss, as most cases are treatable and styling tools and tricks like hair extensions are also available to create your own looks.
Let us know how you’ve dealt with hair loss and stay tuned for more tips and tricks for healthy hair.
