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Hair fallout and thinning can stem from a number of causes, some of which are entirely preventable and likely integrated into your hair care routine at the moment. Although you may be losing locks due to stress or illness, there could be some habits that you upkeep regularly which are making your hair fall out more rapidly, and some simple changes to your day to day hair treatment could make a world of difference. If you’ve been struggling with hair loss and have no apparent underlying conditions, these are the five worst mistakes you could be making with your hair that’s making it so much worse.
Harsh Brushing
Brushing your hair is necessary for eliminating tangles and keeping your locks smooth and healthy. However, if you use a low quality brush and approach your hair with too much force, you could be ripping it out from the root, expediting fallout. “Using a hairbrush that is harsh and not gentle on the hair is a major cause of hair loss that can cause excess breakage to occur,” explains Dr. Anna H. Chacon, MD FAAD US Board-Certified Dermatologist and hair loss expert. “Some of the recommended brushes to use to be gentler on the hair and avoid breakage include a wide-tooth comb and a wet brush, in which the bristles bend and adjust accordingly as you brush your hair.”
Breaking Out The Bleach
Especially if you have dark hair and you want to achieve a dramatic dye job you may need to bleach your hair. But while it can help you reach the color of your dreams, the texture may suffer dramatically. “Bleach is one of the most disastrous chemical processes that hair can be subject to. It causes a tremendous amount of harm and is difficult to repair. However, it is much more common than you may think partly because in order to lighten your hair you must use bleach,” says Chacon.
Turning Up The Heat
Heat styling is a major part of many women’s beauty routines, but failing to properly protect your locks can result in some serious fallout. “The more we use [heat styling] devices, the worse our strands will be in the long run. If you don't want to end up with thinning or hair fallout, you can start with reducing the frequency in which you use your favorite styling tool. This way, you will be able to give your hair strands time to recuperate from being exposed to high temperatures,” says Leah Williams, hairstylist and co-founder of Lucky Curl. “When styling with a hot tool, always use a heat protection spray to prevent heat damage.”
Too Much Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a godsend for days when you don’t want to wash your hair, but product buildup is one of the biggest causes of fallout over time. “Dry shampoo is a product that needs to be removed from the scalp as soon as possible. If you use dry shampoo regularly, it will block the follicles, which can damage your hair and cause it to fall out,” says hairstylist Brooke Shawn. If you’re trying to extend the time between washings, try using dry shampoo just once and wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to make sure no residue is building up on your scalp over time.
Tight Styles
How you style your hair can have just as much impact on fallout as the products you’re using. Braids can be a great way to extend your hair between washes, but pulling too tightly can tug at the roots, leading to fallout. “If you love good box braids or crochet styles make sure the braider knows about hair care. When getting a braiding service done, we think the tighter the braids the longer we can keep them in, but it's the opposite. Tight braids can cause fallout and even early self-inflicted scalp damage called traction alopecia,” says celebrity hairstylist & founder of Contents Haircare, Cheryl Bergamy. If you’re getting your hair braided, talk to the stylist to make sure they’re not tugging too tightly at the roots, and if you’re doing them yourself, try not to use excessive force to get your locks to stay in place.
