Hair loss and thinning hair are as much about what’s happening outside of your scalp as it is what’s happening inside your body. While genetics and diet all play important roles in your hair health, how you treat the hair you have can dramatically affect its appearance. If you’re worried about going bald or if you see thinning patches of head, watch out to ensure you’re not doing one of these three widespread things that people often do that damages your scalp.
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#1. Too Much Styling
The more you style your hair, the worse it can look. That may seem counterintuitive, but it’s one of the first things that hair experts check for when people complain about losing hair. Examples include too much hair dye, excessive washing and conditioning, and too much styling with heat and chemicals.
One way to test this is to look at the hair that has fallen out. Does it have a little white bulb at the end? If not, the hair you see is caused by breakage, and breakage is most commonly caused by too much washing and styling and treatment.
To avoid this, use lower heat when straightening, curling or blow drying. Use gentler, natural cleaning and styling products. And try to space out how often you wash and dry your hair.
#2. Skin Irritation
Also known as alopecia areata, it’s a condition that affects millions of women and men, and it’s often linked to stress. It starts as small, round patches of very smooth, hair-free skin on your body. These patches can spread until you lose all your hair. Your doctor can treat it with a topical cream, but it’s equally important to combat stress. Try taking magnesium, which helps your body naturally relax. Herbal teas, yoga, and exercise can also help lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and keep your mind and body balanced.
