Hair loss has many causes, including medical conditions, medications, genetics, and other factors beyond our control. While hair loss solutions are available regardless of the cause, sometimes the problem is that we are unaware we've developed a bad hair habit or two.
It's easy to fall into a hair care routine, but if your routine has a bad habit, it could lead to thinning hair and even permanent hair loss. So, let's take a look at five common bad habits that can lead to hair loss.
Shampoo Frequency
Shampooing is essential to the health of your scalp and hair. Your scalp is skin, and keeping it clean will keep it healthy, ensure that hair grows its best, and help avoid thinning hair. But how often should you wash?
Shampooing frequency varies somewhat from person to person, depending on how oily your scalp is, but most people should wash their hair every two or three days. If you don't shampoo often enough, oil and dirt can build up on the scalp, leading to inflammation and dandruff.
Shampooing too frequently can leave your hair dry, brittle, and easily damaged. Frequent shampooing can lead to breakage, especially for people with dry or brittle hair, which is more fragile.
Brush Your Hair Gently
Every action you take with your hair should be gentle and mindful. If you've developed the habit of vigorously brushing your hair, it's time to reconsider. While the idea of 100 strokes a day may sound beneficial, it's not! The less you pull on your hair, the better. Use a wide-tooth comb for detangling, and only brush your hair when necessary.
Treat Wet Hair With Extreme Care
After a shower, a mass of tangled hair can be hard to deal with. It can be tempting to grab a towel and aggressively dry your locks, then brush them to remove the nasty knots. However, brushing wet hair is a terrible idea because your hair is at its weakest and most vulnerable to damage when saturated with water.
After you wash your hair, don't dry it by vigorously rubbing and avoid brushing it while still wet. Instead, gently blot it with a towel and let it dry naturally before brushing it. If you can't, use a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles and be gentle.
Diet
If you're not eating correctly, it doesn't matter what products you use on your hair. A thick, healthy, full head of hair is closely tied to a well-balanced diet. A balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients, such as protein, vitamins, and minerals, is crucial for maintaining healthy hair.
Protein is especially important for healthy hair. Your hair is made of protein, and eating enough is vital for giving hair its strength and structure. However, any nutritional deficiency can affect your scalp's health and eventually lead to thinning hair and hair loss. While it's always best to get nutrients naturally from fresh food, dietary supplements can be helpful when that's not possible.
Excessive Heat
Styling tools like hot rollers, blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners are a convenient way to help you get the look you want, but all that heat is brutal on your hair. Excessive heat can leave your hair dry and brittle, leading to breakage and thinning hair.
High heat can damage the hair follicles on your scalp, inhibiting their ability to grow hair. If you're using hot styling tools, limit how often you use them, use a low-temperature setting, and never use straighteners or curling irons on wet hair.
Practice Healthy Hair Care Habits
While hair loss has many causes, avoiding bad habits can eliminate many issues and dramatically decrease the severity of others. Learning and practicing healthy hair care habits is vital to maintaining a thick, full head of hair.
While it can be challenging to determine the cause of hair loss, our team of experts can help. At LH Hair, we understand all aspects of hair care and will help you find the best solution for your unique issue. To learn more about bad habits that can lead to hair loss and what steps you can take to keep your thick, full head of hair, contact us today and schedule your FREE initial consultation.
