If you’ve noticed that you’ve been losing more hair lately, you might be a little freaked out and unsure of what to do. It’s quite possible that your seemingly harmless everyday habits may have something to do with your thinning strands. Fortunately, you may be able to save your hair if you make a few lifestyle changes. Here are some common habits that cause hair loss.
Strict Diets
Going on very strict diets isn’t good for any part of your body, including your hair. If you aren’t eating enough food, your body will direct its energy toward important functions like helping your brain and heart work. That doesn’t leave much energy for making hair. If you starve your body, your hair is more likely to thin out. To prevent this from happening, feed your body the proper nutrients, especially protein, like chicken, fish and lentils. Your hair is made out of protein and can break off if you’re not getting enough protein from your diet.
Birth Control Pills
Whether you’re taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy or alleviate painful periods, you may experience hair thinning as a side effect. Some birth control pills contain the hormone androgen, which can cause hair thinning in some women. If you believe your birth control pills are contributing to your hair loss, you should talk to your doctor about low-androgen birth control pills.
Washing Your Hair Too Infrequently
It’s common knowledge now that washing your hair every day can strip oils from it and dry it out. However, shampooing your hair too seldomly can also be bad for it. If you don’t wash your hair often enough, dirt, oil and product residue can build up on your scalp and clog your hair follicles. That’s why you should wash your hair at least every couple of days.
Taking Certain Medications
Hair loss can sometimes be caused by the medications you’re taking. Certain types of medicines, like blood pressure drugs and antidepressants, can disrupt with the normal cycle of hair growth, causing strands to fall out prematurely. If you’re currently taking any of these medications, you may want to ask your doctor about alternative options.
Using Heat Styling Tools
While blow dryers and flat-irons can help you achieve a certain hair look, they can damage your hair in the process. The hot temperatures from these tools can harm the proteins that make up your hair, making it more susceptible to damage. Try to only use heat styling tools a couple of times a week to minimize damage. When you do use heat styling tools, start with the coolest setting and always apply a heat protecting product beforehand.
If you’re still experiencing significant hair loss, you may want consider a hair transplant. This procedure takes hair from other parts of your body and implants it back into your hair. The results look very natural and can increase your self-confidence. Schedule a consultation with a hair transplant doctor today to discuss your options.
Resources:
Wikipedia, Hair Treatment
