Thinning hair? According to Experts, These Are the Habits that May Cause It

Thinning hair? According to experts, these are the habits that m

Can your hair habits contribute to thinning hair? Nutrafol had a chat with 3 hair experts to find out which habits to stay away from.

Thinning Hair Can Become a Problem: If You are Wearing Tight Hairstyles

“If a tight ponytail or braid is your go-to, beware: Sporting these styles puts excessive tension on the hair follicles, damaging them and creating scars that can destroy them permanently”, says Dr. Doris Day.
Dr. Day is a New York City-based dermatologist, specializing in hair health, and she often stumbles upon questions like this. “Tight hairstyles can lead to traction alopecia, a condition that permanently weakens the follicles and makes it impossible for hair to grow”, she continues.

But You Can Avoid This By…

…loosening up, loosening down and trying one of many protective hairstyles instead! When the chance is given, wear your hair down. During the night, always keep it down as all that rolling around might create even more friction. And if you decide to tie it, keep it soft. Remember – if a ponytail is pulling on your skin, it is way too tight.

Thinning Hair Can Become a Problem: If You are Using Long-Lasting Hold Styling Products

Take it as a warning sign if your hairspray or gel has captions such as “all-day-mega-super-hold”. You might think they are doing you a favor, keeping your locks in place, but they are actually making it harder for you to hold on to them. “Products like these are usually high in alcohol, which makes hair dry and brittle”, says Dr. Paradi Mirmirani, a dermatologist at the Permanente Medical Group and a member of the North American Hair Research Society. “Once you comb or brush your hair, that residue causes the hair to break and fall out”, she continues.

Thinning hair
Can you hair habits contribute to thinning hair?

But You Can Avoid This By…

…not investing in products that make hair stiff or sticky. Invest in softer-hold solutions, like styling creams that keep your hair’s moisture intact and do not create friction when brushing. If you already feel like your hair has lost its moisture, investing in a supplement containing hydrolyzed marine collagen might be a solution. This kind of collagen is rebuilding the structural integrity of the hair follicle environment and is improving the hair’s moisture.

Thinning Hair Can Become a Problem: If You are Taking Oral Birth Control Pills

If you are one of the women who are sensitive to hair shedding due to hormonal changes, then the wrong oral birth control can weaken your hair and lead to thinning hair. “A pill that contains androgens can cause hair loss for someone who’s ‘androgen sensitive’ and doesn’t know it”, says Dr. Alan Bauman, a Boca Raton-based hair transplant surgeon and physician that has been specializing in hair loss for many years.

But You Can Avoid This By…

…. switching birth control pills. Try some low-androgen index birth control pills like norgestimate, norethindrone, desogestrel or ethynodiol diacetate. If you do not know whether you have an androgen sensitivity or not, a hair restoration physician can perform a quick cheek-swab genetic test.

Thinning Hair Can Become a Problem: If You are Scratching Your Head

The hair transplant surgeon, Dr. Bauman, shares his thoughts on this too. “Itchy scalp, like that caused by seborrheic dermatitis, may result in hair loss due to scratching-induced hair damage. Once the cuticle is damaged, the hair fiber is prone to breakage”, he explains.

But You Can Avoid This By…

…getting rid of the shampoo that causes you to scratch your scalp and invest in a better one. Shampoos that contains selenium, zinc pyrithione or tea tree oil is good for your scalp and tends to calm down even the itchiest scalp. If these over-the-counter products do not help, your doctor can prescribe an antifungal shampoo or cortisone foam.

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