There are any number of reasons you could be losing your hair. Sometimes it’s hereditary (thanks Mum and Dad!), sometimes it’s a physiological reaction to trauma or stress… but what if there are things you do in your day-to-day life that could be contributing to your hair loss?
We decided to look into some common hair loss habits. Here’s what we found out:
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day
Well, when it comes to your hair it is! A lack of certain nutrients – iron and zinc in particular – can cause hair to become brittle and weak and eventually lead to hair loss. By contrast, a diet rich in these nutrients can help your hair grow more quickly, leading to a lustrous mane in no time.
Skipping any meal can cause problems for your hair, as it causes the body to redirect its energy towards the really essential body parts (like the heart, brain and lungs). Skipping breakfast is particularly harmful, as that’s the meal that sets your body – and your hair – on the right course for the whole day.
Overwashing can lead to hair loss
While you might think that keeping your hair clean is the best way to keep it looking on top form, shampooing your hair actually strips it of the oils it needs to stay healthy. So shampooing too frequently can dry out your hair, so it breaks easily, which can cause hair loss.
If you want to stay on top of your game, hair-wise, consider washing less it frequently. And, when you do take the plunge, always try to use conditioner to ensure the hair stays soft and healthy.
Smoking is for (hair) losers
As if you needed another reason to quit the fags. Smoking reduces blood flow to the head, which messes with the natural functioning of the hair follicles, leading to thinning hair.
As with most problems caused by smoking, the hair loss can be reversed when you quit, but it really depends on your age and how long you’ve been a smoker, as the damage may already have been done. It’s definitely worth knocking it on the head though, because even if you’re already balding, the hair you have left will grow in thicker and stronger.
A sunhat is a man’s best friend
Whether you’re a trilby or a souwester man – or maybe a baseball cap’s more your style – wearing a hat in the summer will not only help keep your face looking youthful, it could help prevent hair loss too.
Although vitamin D is essential to hair growth, you don’t need to experience it directly on your scalp, and the sun’s rays can do some serious damage to your hair, so in the summer months it’s best to keep it covered up. If a hat’s not your style, consider hair products containing SPF.
For more advice on hair loss habits, hair thinning prevention and treatments to address hair loss, call us on 0121 516 1767.
