For many of us, hair loss is inevitable just like aging. There are, however, things you could be doing at any age that could exacerbate this problem or cause premature hair thinning and fallout. We reached out to hair experts to learn more about common, every day mistakes you might be making that can instigate a receding hairline or other errors surrounding your locks and their health.
Read on for 4 simple tips and tricks for your tresses from Dr. Dominic Burg, chief scientist, hair biologist, microbiologist and trichologist for evolis Professional and Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles.
1. Avoid Tight Hairstyles
Frequently wearing tight hairstyles such as buns, ponytails, heavy extensions or braids can put pressure on the hair follicles at the front of the scalp, which Burg says can “lead to traction alopecia.” He says to “make sure you change up your hairstyles often to ensure pressure isn’t placed on the same follicles all the time.”
Abdullah agrees, and further explains the importance of laying off your follicles. “Our hair grows in a sort of spiral from the crown out towards the edges,” she notes, saying “no one's hair follicles are set to grow from the front to the back of the head.”
This, she says, means each time you pull your hair back, “you're going against the natural positioning of your hair follicles.” This can cause the hair to be pulled out from the root. “The situation becomes much worse when the hair is pulled back tightly, as with ponytails,” she continues. “You'll undoubtedly loose a few hairs each time with this method of styling.”
2. Maintain a Consistent Haircare Routine (Stick to it!)
Hair loss and thinning often occurs when the hair cycle changes or is interrupted. Burg adds that it is vital to consistently “look after the hair cycle with a scalp serum containing antioxidants, anti-inflammatory botanicals and hair cycle repairing actives.” The most important types of actives you should look for, he adds, are FGF5 blockers or FGF7 boosters.
Another equally important part of your haircare routine includes finding time to de-stress. The stress hormone cortisol actively prevents the hair follicles from regenerating in the hair cycle, so Burg says to “reduce your stress levels by exercising, meditation or through the herb ashwagandha” for your hair (and overall) health.
3. Avoid Holding Products (Gel, Hairspray) In Affected Areas
Using hold products is an easy way to keep your freshly styled strands in place, but Abdullah warns that using them in affected hair loss or thinning areas (whether on your hairline or elsewhere) can make the issue much worse in the long run.
“Don’t use gel or hold products in the [affected] areas,” Abdullah advises. “You want to stay away from anything that might plug your hair follicles in the area and slow or stop growth.” This. she says, includes all hold products such as hairspray, gel and curl products.
4. Reassess Your Diet & Intake of Essential Nutrients for Hair
The health of your hair is a reflection of your internal health. Burg stresses to make sure you are getting enough zinc (found in whole grains, oysters, red meat, poultry), iron (often in seafood, beans, dark green, leafy veggies, dried fruit), Vitamin D (dairy, mushrooms, egg yolks) and B vitamins (legumes, lentils, seeds, nuts), as all of which promote “optimum follicle health.”
Overall, as Burg concludes, the hair follicles in your hairline are “often the most fragile.” They are often the first to show the signs of aging and succumb to thinning and loss. By practicing these 4 tips and reevaluating and updating your haircare routine and diet, you can keep your follicles in great shape!
