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If your hair is starting to go thin, you’re not alone. Many women experience thinning or even balding as we age, and there are a number of factors that can cause this. For some people, hair loss can be the result of an underlying medical conditions like “thyroid and auto-immune disease, stress, hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, anemia and crash dieting,” Dr. Christine Shaver of Bernstein Medical in New York City explains. For others it can be genetic. And lastly, daily hair care habits can also play a huge part in causing damage. It is always wise to consult your doctor if you think you might have a medical issue, but hair thinning experts we spoke to outlined four common mistakes you may be making every day that are unintentionally causing hair shedding, thinning and fallout:
1. Pulling Your Hair Back Too Tight
It might seem too simple to be real, but wearing your hair in tight buns or ponytails can cause hair loss. This is because you may weaken your hair follicles at the roots when you are constantly pulling on your hair.
Fortunately, this is an easily avoidable hair care mistake. Simply wear looser hairstyles and stop sleeping with your hair tied back.
2. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Another easily avoidable mistake, sleep deprivation plays a much bigger role in hair loss than you might have expected.
"Sleep plays an important role in the protein synthesis of your hair, as well as the adequate release of growth hormones in your body," Dr. Rae Lynne Kinler, M.D told SheFinds. "When you get adequate sleep, your body is regenerating itself and creating new cells, which are essential to hair growth and can be immensely inhibited by sleep deprivation. If you want to keep a good head of hair, you'll have to ensure you get a quality night's sleep. The stress from not getting enough rest can affect your body’s ability to function at its optimal level and as result the normal hair growth cycle may be impacted negatively."
3. Exposing Your Hair To Too Much Heat
Using hot styling tools like a flat iron or blow dryer every day can cause long-term damage on your hair and roots. This often shows up as dry-looking, brittle hair that is prone to breakage.
Try limiting your use of hot tools, and when you do use a blow dryer, keep it at least eight inches away from your hair and try to use a lower heat setting.
4. Not Getting The Right Nutrients
Just like with skincare, our hair's health is impacted by diet. Eating a well-balanced diet can keep your hair looking and feeling good, plus prevent hair loss and thinning.
Dr. Steven Shapiro of Shapiro MD, a dermatologist specializing in hair loss, previously told SheFinds, "Limiting your sugar intake is key. I'd also recommend eating whole foods that are rich in nutrients like protein, vitamin C, and omega 3 fatty acids. Iron, B12, Folate, Biotin, and Zinc are also of benefit to the hair. Low Iron, B12, and Folate can cause anemia which reduces blood flow to the hair. ZInc reduces inflammation which is the first step in hair falling out. Biotin may help the texture of hair. This will keep your hair looking healthy and strong.;"
