Hair loss is a natural process that happens to most people as they age. But if you’re one of the millions who are experiencing hair loss for the first time, it can be distressing. Although you can’t stop your hair from falling out, there are things you can do to slow down the process. Here’s a look at some of them:
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
The first step to slowing down hair loss is to eat a healthy diet. Certain foods can help stimulate the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. You don’t want to focus too much on protein since it can cause your body to overproduce sebum, which can lead to acne. Instead, focus on eating whole grains, fruits, and vegetables for their antioxidants and vitamins. Eat lots of citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits, which contain vitamin C. Vitamin C helps boost collagen production in your skin and also aids in blood flow to the scalp. Try adding more fish to your diet, such as salmon and tuna, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help prevent dry scalp. The best way to get these nutrients is through food; however, if you find yourself struggling to maintain a healthy diet, then supplements may be a good option for you.
2. Use an Oil Massage
The oil massage is the most common method used by people around the world to manage their hair loss and maintain a healthy scalp. It involves massaging your scalp with oil every day, which helps clear away dead skin cells, dirt, and other debris from your scalp. This helps to keep it clean and healthy so that it can produce healthy hair. The best oils for this type of massage are coconut oil or olive oil, which have many benefits for skin health in general as well as helping you grow thicker hair. Also, you should choose the best hair loss serum in the market that claims to help with this issue.
3. Avoid Stress
Stress can cause hormonal imbalances in the body, which may lead to thinning or shedding of hair follicles. When people are stressed out, their bodies produce more cortisol (the stress hormone), which can suppress the immune system and increase inflammation within the body. The result of this is often hair loss due to breakage as well as thinning of existing strands of hair.
4. Stay Hydrated
When you are losing hair, it’s important to drink plenty of water. It hydrates your body and increases blood flow, which can help prevent hair loss. Drinking lots of water also helps you feel better overall, which will improve your self-esteem and make you feel healthier. The recommended daily allowance for water is 64 ounces for men and 48 ounces for women. That works out to about 8 glasses per day. Try a tea or supplement that contains saw palmetto or nettle root extract. These can help promote circulation to the scalp and reduce inflammation, which can slow down hair loss.
5. Don’t Overheat It
Hair is made up of keratin, which is very sensitive to heat. If you use styling tools that get very hot, like curling irons, flat irons, and curlers, you might end up frying your hair. Heat can also make your scalp more sensitive to other stresses like shampooing and brushing. So if you want to keep your hair healthy and strong, don’t overheat it!
6. Use Gentle Shampoos and Conditioners
Many shampoos contain harsh ingredients that strip away natural oils from your scalp and hair follicles. This can cause your scalp to become dry, which leads to irritation and inflammation — and ultimately thinning hair. Choose gentle products that won’t irritate your skin or scalp. You could also try baking soda or apple cider vinegar and rinse once or twice a week after shampooing. This will assist in removing any residue left behind by commercial products, preventing them from clogging pores.
7. Get Enough Sleep
Studies show that people who get less than six hours of sleep per night tend to have lower levels of testosterone — a hormone that plays an important role in hair growth, than those who get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
8. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, which can lead to hair loss through inflammation and vascular damage. Alcohol causes dehydration and can increase your heart rate — both factors that can contribute to hair loss.
If you’re concerned about hair loss, it’s a great idea to take a few precautions as early as possible to avoid further loss or damage. To that end, it may be worthwhile to invest in some specialized products or treatments in order to keep your follicles healthy.