People lose their hair for many reasons—genetics, old age, illness, improper nutrition or stress. In some cases, the hair loss is reversible; in other cases hair loss is permanent. Regardless, there are things you can do now to slow your hair loss and improve the conditioner of the hair you have in order to make it appear fuller, thicker and healthier.
Take a Styling Break
Hair styling creates a vicious circle—the more we brush, curl, heat, spray and tease our hair to make it look good, the more we are actually damaging it, causing us to have to have to use styling aids more frequently to achieve that polished, healthy look. If you are losing your hair, less is more when it comes to styling. Try alternating between days that you style and days that you just let your hair dry naturally. Only style your hair if you absolutely have to—say, if you have an important meeting or a special event. If you heat style your hair, this is especially important, as heat destroys the hair shaft, making your hair weaker and more prone to breakage. Look for all-natural hair products that will be gentler on the hair and scalp, and ones that will also condition and nourish the hair as they style.
Shampoo Less Often
If your hair is already in a fragile state, you want to be as gentle with it as possible. Just like styling, the detergent and lathering agents in shampoos can be rough on the hair. Most hair does not need to be washed every day. Washing your hair every day causes the scalp to dry out excessively, which in turn causes the scalp to overproduce oil making the hair more oily. If you begin to skip shampoos, your hair and scalp will adjust to the change and produce less oil. If you are already losing your hair and are worried about doing more damage, washing your hair less often will be very helpful. Begin by skipping a day in between washings over a three-week period. Once your hair has adjusted, you can try skipping two days in between and then maybe three, depending on your hair type.
See Your Doctor
If your hair loss is serious and you have not already seen your doctor, this should be your first step. If you are losing your hair due to genetics, your doctor may prescribe medication for you, such as Propecia or Avodart, which have both been shown in research to slow hair loss and, in some cases, encourage new hair growth. Topical solutions, such as Minoxidil, are another option to treat male-pattern baldness that doctors sometimes recommend for use on their own or in combination with prescription medication. It is important to see your doctor before beginning treatment with prescription or nonprescription treatments for baldness.
If your hair loss is due to a nutritional deficiency, reaction to a medication you are currently taking, stress, or illness, your doctor can be helpful in either recommending supplements, changing your medication, helping you with stress relief techniques, or developing a treatment plan for the illness that is causing your hair loss. If your hair loss is sudden or unexplained, do not delay making an appointment to see your doctor.
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