Hair loss can be devastating, whether you're a man or a woman. A full, healthy head of hair is not only a symbol of youth and beauty, it's also inextricably tied to our self-image. Sometimes it's temporary and expected, as patients going through a course of chemotherapy can attest to. Other times, we can be losing hair and not know why. Either way, to say it's upsetting is definitely an understatement!
Certain habits -- bad ones -- can contribute, and changing them now can make a difference. Here are 5 bad habits that can actually lead to hair loss. Are you guilty of one or more of them?
Smoking
You don't need anyone to tell you that smoking is bad for your health. It can cause lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease, and yes -- hair loss too. If you're still smoking, it's so important to find a way to stop, for the sake of your health and the people who love you.
Taking Steamy Hot Showers
Hot water dehydrates your hair, just as it does your skin, and that leads to dry, brittle strands, that are more prone to breaking off when you're combing, brushing and styling. Hot water also makes your scalp's pores work harder to re-hydrate the skin, and this can damage hair's roots and lead to even more shedding! The solution? Take the temperature down to warm, and make the water as cool as possible when you rinse your hair.
Poor Diet
A trip down the snack aisles in the supermarket reveals shelf after shelf of foods that are full of sugar, trans-fats, and empty calories that give us instant pleasure but cause long-term problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, dull skin, and even hair loss. Your hair needs the nutrients found in whole foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean meats and fish. It takes work to change the way we eat, but the rewards are great.
Poor Hygiene
When it needs it, not washing your hair can lead to dandruff, an oily scalp and hair loss. Not using the right products (e.g. harsh detergent-laden shampoos on a dry scalp) can also cause problems like thinning hair. If you're not sure what you should be using, visit a hair clinic for a scalp assessment and recommendations for suitable products.
Lack of Sleep
Too many of us experience poor quality or not enough sleep. Chalk it up to overly busy lifestyles, too many hours on our devices, hormonal problems associated with aging, or just choosing to forgo a few hours of sleep in order to gain more time to do all the things we want to accomplish. Whatever the reason, sleep deprivation has lots of very real, very serious consequences. It makes us more likely to have accidents or to overeat, compromises our immune systems, and -- you guessed it -- more likely to experience thinning hair or hair loss.
Whether your hair loss is due to some of the bad habits listed here, to medications, to hormonal changes, or you're just not sure what's causing it, you should know that there are steps you can take to turn things around. Hair loss clinics like New Look Institute in San Jose, California, can assess what's causing your hair loss and come up with real, state-of-the-art solutions for dealing with it, and even reversing it. You'll find caring professionals who understand what you're going through on an emotional level, and who are ready and able to customize a hair solution that fits your needs.
Nothing will change if you don't take action, but the first step is up to you. Find a hair loss clinic in your area and get started toward a solution today. In San Jose, contact us at New Look Institute and take control of your hair loss starting now!
