Top 10 Bad Habits that Cause Hair Loss!
24-08-2017 | Posted By: Chhavi | 4599 View(s)
Hair loss is quite a popular problem these days! The dust, pollution and an unhealthy lifestyle take a toll on our hair. Suddenly seeing clumps of hair on your pillow can really scare the hell out of you. But hair loss is not just the result of ageing- it can be due to bad habits too! It is completely normal to lose 50 to 100 strands of hair each day; but if you are losing more than that, then it means that you practice certain habits that cause hair loss!
Here are some Unhealthy Habits that Cause Hair Loss:
1.Taking Stress
Stress is the root cause of several health conditions, and hair loss is one of them. If you want to get relief from too much hair loss, then you need to manage your stress. It is because when you are under stress, your hair can go into the fall-out phase. Do you know that hair loss can occur up to three months after a stressful event? Well, yes it does happen! And then it takes six to nine months to grow the hair back after the initial hair loss. Try easy stress-buster exercises like meditation and deep breathing to fight stress. So, keep calm and stay away from hair fall problems.
2. Eating an Unhealthy Diet
Not eating a healthy, balanced diet also leads to hair fall problems. This is one of the most common habits that cause hair loss. Our hair also needs nutrients to stay healthy and beautiful. When those nutrients do not reach our body, the effect starts showing on our hair too!
Have you ever wondered why does your mother or grandmother have such beautiful hair? Well, because they take care of their diet properly. While youngsters today binge on Pizza and Burgers, our elders take proper healthy diet which benefits their hair too! Hence, to get healthy hair and prevent hair fall, you must load up on nutrient-rich foods.
According to a recent study published in the Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, there is a strong relationship between nutritional factors and hair loss. The study found that essential amino acids, protein, iron and serum zinc are vital for hair growth.
And, hence you must not be nutrient deficient at all if you want a healthy body and healthy hair! Include foods rich in protein, Vitamin E, iron, zinc and copper to your diet.
3.Extensive Use of Hairstyling Tools
Today experimenting with hair is a new trend! Those who have straight hair use hair curlers to get those beautiful curls, and those who have curly hair tend to use hair strengtheners to get straight and smooth hair. Apart from these, many people today use a blow dryer that causes significant damage to your hair.
A recent study published in the Annals of Dermatology found that using a hairdryer continuously causes more surface damage than natural drying. Thus, it is best to allow your wet hair to dry naturally. And, in any case, if you have to use a hairdryer, then keep it at a distance of 15 cm to prevent severe hair damage.
And excessive use of straighteners and curlers is another one of the bad habits that cause hair loss. It is because too much heat makes hair weak and brittle, causing it to break and fall off.
4.Wearing Tight Hairstyles
We all love to experiment with our hair, don’t we? Tight ponytails, knots, buns and braids are trending now. But, think twice before you go for these hairstyles as they can be one of the causes of your damaged hair. Wearing these tight hairstyles regularly can put excessive tension on the hair follicles, which in turn can create scars and damage them permanently. Also, it can lead to a medical condition called traction alopecia, characterised by weakening of the follicles which makes it impossible for the hair to grow. So, do you want to save your hair strands? Well, then loosen up.
Try wearing your hair down or make loose ponytails whenever possible (especially while sleeping). And when you tie your hair, then make sure that it’s not putting too much pressure on the skin. And you are good to go!
5.Mishandling Wet Hair
Many times, we are in such a hurry to reach our destination, that without even thinking for a second, we start combing our hair when they are wet and tie it back. But brushing or combing wet hair right after taking a bath or shower is quite harmful to hair. When the hair is wet, your hair strands are fragile and more prone to damage. It is best to comb your hair before washing to prevent tangling. After you wash your hair, clean your hair with a soft towel and allow it to air dry before you comb your hair. You must comb your hair when it is slightly damp as it is easier to style. Do you sleep with wet hair? Well, don’t as it leads to frizzy hair.
6.Scratching your Head
If you have an itchy scalp, then you are likely to scratch your hair continuously, which in turn may result in hair damage. If the cuticle is damaged, the hair fibre is more prone to breakage. Thus, you must get rid of the itchy scalp to prevent hair loss. If you have an itchy scalp, you may get relief by using a shampoo that contains zinc pyrithione and selenium. Head & Shoulders is one of the best products to get rid of an itchy scalp.
7.Swimming in a Chlorinated Pool
Do you love to swim? If you do, then make sure that the pool you swim in is filled with clean water, and not with chlorine water.
It is because there are many chemical byproducts in the swimming pools that use chlorine as a disinfectant. These byproducts are neither good for your health, nor for your hair. Chlorine makes the hair frizzy and fragile.
It also removes the natural oil that covers the hair shafts, which in turn makes the hair lose its shine and flexibility, thereby making your hair more susceptible to damage and breakage.
Are you scared that you won’t be able to swim now? No, don’t be! We are not asking you to quit such a healthy habit, just make sure to wear a swim cap if you are going to swim. And also, shower and shampoo your hair immediately after swimming.
Why is Your Hair Falling Out in Clumps And How To Prevent It?
8.Applying Too much Hair Products
Many of us use hair products such as shampoos, gels and serums to keep our hair healthy. But what we are not fully aware of is that these products are full of harmful chemicals that can cause severe damage to our hair.
The shampoos that we use contain DHT which can contribute to hair loss. On the other hand, hair dye contains chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and ammonia which can cause thinning of hair and hair loss.
Thus, do not use too much harsh chemical-based products. Instead, you can use herbal products and even homemade masks to prevent hair fall.
9.Over Washing your Hair
Shampooing hair is another one of the common unhealthy habits that cause hair loss. It is because too much washing takes away the natural moisture of your hair, leaving them dry. Thus, make sure to wash your hair just three times a week. And also, use a shampoo that suits your hair type and texture.
10.Using Hot Water for Washing Hair
This is one of the common habits that cause hair loss. Hot water is an enemy of beautiful hair. If you like to take long, hot showers because they make you feel good, then think twice! It is because a hot shower can prove to be quite harmful to your hair. Hot water can take away the natural oil of the hair, without which your hair becomes dry and brittle.
If you want to get healthy hair, then you must wash your hair with lukewarm water. Also, after you wash your hair, do not rub your hair vigorously and allow your hair to dry naturally.
Do you want to get healthy, gorgeous hair? Well, then do not adopt these unhealthy habits that cause hair loss. Eat a nutritious diet, Go For Regular Health Checkups and stay happy to get shiny, long hair!
