Hair loss is a common condition that adults face, whether male or female. This is more significant in Caucasian men, as about 85% of them will experience significantly thinning hair as they grow older. It’s becoming more significant in Asians, too. A Chinese survey of over 50,000 citizens found that almost a third of its young (born post-1990) respondents reported having thinning hair. A college poll also showed that over 60% of its students have experienced significant hair loss.
Some people are all right with having thin hair or even being bald. While others would rather keep their locks. After all, your hair is one of the few ways you can express yourself. You can dye it and style it in a way that compliments your face and style. Plus, having hair is a sign of fertility and youth. So how do you manage hair loss?
Cut Back on Hair Treatments
If you’re a fan of treatments such as hot-oiling, straightening, relaxing, or coloring your hair, it’s time to stop or at least minimize it. Hot oil. in particular, may heat up your already sensitive hair and weaken it further. The same goes for blow-drying. Stick to air or towel-drying for now. And if you absolutely need to get work done on your locks, ensure that it’s from an experienced and professional hairdresser who takes time in examining your hair to make sure that the treatments they use cause little to no damage.
Practice Better Hair Care Habits
Minimize your use of hair ties, especially if you twist your hair into tight buns, ponytails, or pigtails. Doing this constantly may lead to a condition called traction alopecia. Traction alopecia happens when repeated strain from tight headwear or hairstyles damages your hair follicles. Apart from hair loss, it may also produce redness and itching on the affected area.
Manage Your Stress
Unfortunately, stress is part of everyday life. You always have bills to pay for and deadlines to worry about at work. The effects of anxiety and stress, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, may contribute to hair loss. A condition called “telogen effluvium” happens when stress forces your hair follicles into a resting period, stopping your follicles from producing new strands. It can also cause hair to fall out easily. If you find yourself stressed and anxious, take a deep breath and allocate some time to meditation. The New York Times has a great guide to meditation that anyone can follow.
Get Professional Help
If you’re still getting significant hair loss despite following the suggestions above, it’s best to consult an aesthetic doctor. They’ll examine your scalp and prescribe the necessary treatment. They may recommend medication such as Rogaine or Propecia. If that doesn’t work, they may also give you hair transplant treatment. This involves moving some of your hair to an area with little to no hair. Some may also offer scalp micropigmentation, which is done by tattooing precise dots on your scalp that resemble human hair.
Hair loss is normal. An average human sheds around a hundred strands a day. But extreme cases such as pattern balding and bald spots need extra attention and care. Take these suggestions into consideration to keep your strands healthy and intact.