When you are in your 20s, nearly everyone
praises your luscious locks. But you take that for granted by
straightening, braiding, perming and bleaching it - not once, not
twice but thrice or even more.
In your 30s, you stop receiving compliments about your
hair and start spending more time getting hair out of your hair
brush.
In your 40s, you start examining your scalp more
closely in the mirror.
We feel you.
But take heart, because everyone - regardless of age -
experiences shedding to a certain degree. We lose about 50 to 100
strands of hair every day.
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of thinning
hair as hair fall can be triggered by myriad reasons, such as
genes, stress, poor nutrition, hormonal changes and environmental
pollutants.
But here are some tips to prevent and deal with the
problem and regain your crowning glory.
Hair is made of protein, so be sure to include an
adequate amount of protein-rich foods in your diet. As a rule of
thumb, have at least a palm-size portion of protein at breakfast
and lunch, try eggs, meat, lentils and nuts.
They can result in a deficiency in vital nutrients such
as vitamin A, B12 and E, and minerals like iron, which are
essential for hair growth. The lack of nutrients can cause your
hair to grow at a slower pace and put a halt in the growth of new
hairs.
Additionally, when you deprive your body of fat, sebum
production is affected. Without this protective layer of oil, the
skin and hair become dry and prone to damage. When the scalp gets
damaged, hair loss occurs.
Similarly, dryness and damage to the hair strand can
cause it to fall out. If you want to go on a diet, ensure you are
still taking in all the vital nutrients.
Before you get in the shower, use a detangler brush or
wide-toothed comb to get rid of tangles. Combing your hair when it
is wet will cause clumps of hair to get entangled in the hair
brush.
Most permanent colourants, be it salon products or box
dyes, contain hydrogen peroxide.
This chemical lightens hair by breaking down the
melanin in the hair shaft. Regular use of hydrogen peroxide could
cause damage to your hair follicle and lead to hair breakage and
loss.
Space out your hair colouring, and don't colour your
hair until you have let it "rest" for seven to nine weeks.
Use shampoos that are free of parabens, synthetic
fragrances and sodium lauryl sulphates (SLS). Chemicals like SLS
strip away natural oils from the scalp and cause hair fall. When
your scalp is stripped off its natural oils, your follicles get
clogged, leading to other icky problems such as itching and
lice.
Look for a shampoo that will get rid of environmental
pollutants, perspiration and styling products but at the same time
hydrate your scalp.
Your body gets flooded with the hormone cortisol when
you are under pressure. When this happens, other hormone levels
fluctuate in response, leading to hair fall. Thankfully, hair will
usually grow back after the stressful event has occurred. To manage
your stress, consider meditating or taking up yoga.
Do you pull your hair into a tight topknot or ponytail?
You might want to consider switching up your go-to look if you are
experiencing hair loss. Avoid hairstyles that place stress on your
follicles and damage the hair shaft. Also, steer clear of heavy
styling creams and serums that may weigh down the hair.
If you want gorgeous tresses, you might want to skip
that donut. Some studies have discovered a correlation between
sugar and hair loss.
The body processes sugary treats by producing more
insulin, giving rise to higher androgen levels. Androgen is a
hormone that can cause hair follicles to shrink, speeding up the
hair loss process.
Every now and then, take a break from your heat-styling
tools. Heat weakens the hair proteins and causes hair to fall
out.
If you need to use a blow-dryer or a flat iron,
remember to use a heat protectant before styling your hair.
This is one bad habit most of us
have. When you run your fingers through your hair or twirl your
locks around your fingers, you might snap or damage your hair from
the friction.
You are also stripping your scalp
of its natural oils, leading to dry, fragile and weak hair.
This article first
appeared in Her World Online (www.herworldplus.com).
