Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

Recently I came across some tips for taking care of the hair and scalp to help slow down hair loss that I thought I would pass along. People take their hair for granted until one day when they realize they are beginning to lose it. Rather than wait till this stage, it would be better if we did some preventative things now.

So many factors influence how our hair will grow and whether or not we are prone to hair loss. As we have discussed previously, factors include hormonal changes, hereditary influences, environmental factors, stress and health. A change in lifestyle will impact what would become of our hair in the future. Consider following these tips in order to encourage the growth of hair and so that it is less likely to be dry, brittle and fall out.

Drink the recommended daily amount of water. Water meaning pure water, not soft drinks, coffee, and beer. When you are dehydrated your entire body feels weak and is easily exhausted. It is also another factor in hair drying out and breaking off. Being dehydrated also impedes hair growth. On average, women should be drinking 2-2.6 liters daily, men need 2.8-3.5 liters daily. Adjust these amounts for factors such as weather, age and weight.

Exercise a couple times per week. A 15 minute brisk walk will increase your normal heart rate. This then improves blood circulation which brings more nutrients to the hair follicles and scalp. It’s best to exercise at least an hour after eating in order to give time for digestion to finish and put less pressure on the system.

Maintain a proper diet. Avoid foods rich in salt, sugar, and fat. Those three components stress the kidneys and make our blood more acidic, resulting in hair loss.

Drink green tea daily. This will reduce the risk of hair loss as it contains anti-oxidants which inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. DHT induces hair loss and increases prostate size.

Indulge in aromatherapy. This alternative form of medicine has benefits both on our health and our mood. Massage the scalp with essential oils such as lavender and olive. This encourages healthier hair regrowth. Plus, it eliminates stress, which we know, is another factor in hair loss.

Avoid putting any strain on the scalp and hair in the form of tight clips and pony tails. Pulling your hair against the scalp can result in hair loss. As a result, bald patches may arise and this is known as traction alopecia.

Avoid using heat and chemicals on your hair such as straightening, perming, coloring, and excessive blow drying. These processes only weaken the internal structure of the hair and damage its chemical bonds. They may also cause dryness and irritation, making the hair fall out more easily.

So there you have it, just some common sense tips, which if implemented, could make a big difference for your hair and scalp now, causing you less stress in the future.