18 Tips to Prevent Hair Loss and Keep Your Hair Healthy
Today, we’re going to be covering 18 tips to help prevent hair loss. First and foremost, you have to be aware of why it is that you may be experiencing hair loss. Check out our other video “what causes hair loss” and make sure that you fully understand the situation before beginning treatment. There are many varied approaches to preventing and treating hair loss, but today we’ll just be hitting the top 18.
We’ll start with hair care, or the care you put into the hair you have.
1. Washing
It is a common misbelief that stopping washing your hair will help you fight hair loss, because the less you touch your hair the less hair falls out. This is not true. Washing your hair daily or every other day may actually prevent hair loss. Not only does it stimulate your scalp but it also cleans it to keep it healthy. Using a mild shampoo is the goal here, since harsh shampoos may dry hair which leads to breakage, culminating in hair loss.
2. Styling
Styling is another factor that is important to consider. Heat styling such as straightening irons or curling irons may damage or break hair, as well as irritate the scalp. Try air drying and avoid hair styles that may pull at the roots of your hair, such as tight ponytails and braids.
3. Processing
Similarly to washing with a mild shampoo or not using hot irons that do damage to your hair, staying away from hair dyes that contain peroxide, para-phenylendiamine or ammonia can help keep your hair strong. Also stay away from treatments such as perms which may also damage your scalp and hair.
4. Olive & Coconut Oil
Two great hair care products are things you can find right in your kitchen: olive oil and coconut oil. Olive oil can help by deeply conditioning your hair, moisturizing and strengthening it from breakage. The best way to take advantage of olive oil’s benefits is to apply two tablespoons of oil directly to your hair and scalp and letting it sit for 30 minutes before washing it out. Coconut oil contains lauric acid which helps trap protein in hair, which helps to strengthen hair and prevents breakage, coconut oil has also been know to prevent damage to your hair caused by grooming and ultraviolet light exposure. Simply massaging the oil into your scalp can increase circulation and promote regrowth.
5. Plenty of Protein
The very basis of hair follicles consist of primarily the protein Keratin. Making sure that you have plenty of foods in your diet that are rich in protein can not only be beneficial to your hair but your overall health. Healthy options that carry a good amount of protein are beans, peas, nuts, eggs, chicken, turkey, fish and low-fat dairy products.
6. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is another natural solution in foods that has been shown to help hair growth and keep your scalp healthy and roots strong to prevent breakage. Good options for foods rich in Vitamin A are spinach, carrots, sweet potato, sweet peppers, herring, mangos and liver.
7. Raw Vegetables and Fresh Herbs
A diet that consists of high amounts of fruits, vegetables, legumes and olive oil can be very helpful in preventing hair loss. A good starting place for this way of eating is the Mediterranean Diet which primarily consists of foods such as: salad greens, parsley and basil, eaten at a high frequency.
Next we’ll talk about supplements and which you should add to your daily vitamin pack.
8.Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is made from the berry of a small palm tree that grows in the south eastern section of the United States. It has been known to have many health benefits including blocking 5-alpha reductase (5α-R), which is an enzyme that converts testosterone into
dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is a hormone that is linked to hair loss, especially hereditary.
9. Biotin
Biotin is vitamin that has been used for years to help hair loss. It helps the process of fatty acid synthesis in your body which is essential in hair health, in fact a deficiency in biotin may well be the cause of hair loss. It also helps your nails and blood sugar levels, amount plenty of other benefits.
10. Ginseng
The root of the ginseng plant is another great vitamin that contains phytochemicals that can promote hair growth as well as boost energy.
11. Multivitamin
Finally it is always a good idea to take multivitamins. The most helpful for your hair are multi’s that are rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, iron, selenium and zinc.
Next we’ll discuss some prescription and over-the-counter medications that may help you in your quest for health hair.
12.Minoxidil
Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Rogaine, and many other over-the-counter hair loss medications of similar type. It is applied directly to your scalp twice daily, and is said to be one of the most effective remedies for hair loss when used consistently.
13.Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine is a topical option that fights the effects of hair loss through styling by stimulating the follicle muscles to tighten and prevent hairs being pulled out.
14.Finasteride
Commonly known as Propecia, Finasteride is a doctor-prescribed pill that may help slow the effects of hair loss and may even promote regrowth. It is safe for men under the age of 60.
And lastly we’ll cover a few out-of-the-box options that are also known to help with a healthy head of hair.
15.Onion juice
That’s right. Onion juice. Applying crude onion juice to the scalp twice a day can help with hair growth for those suffering from alopecia areata.
16.Essential oils
Essential oils have a myriad of health benefits including hair health. Some oils that have seen positive effects are black castor oil, cedarwood oil, peppermint, lemongrass and lavender. Essential oils are best to try different mixtures with, mixing with jojoba oil or grapeseed and applying to your scalp for 10 minutes before showering.
17.Yoga
Yoga can be a beneficial activity to reduce stress, which is a leading cause of hair loss. Making time several days a week to go through a few poses and focusing on clearing your mind of stress can be incredibly beneficial for your overall well-being and health.
18.Massage
And lastly a personal favorite of mine, a good scalp massage, which feels amazing, can also help stimulate your scalp and hair follicles and promote growth.
I am 74 years old and have lots of hair loss. After visiting Dermatologists and other doctors a cause has not been found for my hair loss. I have used many different shampoos and conditioners advertised to stop hair loss. None of them worked. My grandmother’s hair was very thin when she was my age, so maybe it is hereditary. I have used Febron Hair Building Fibers for about 2 1/2 years, and it covers my bald spots very well. Since my hair is completely grey (almost white) I use the white color, and it is almost impossible to see that my hair is so thin. It continues to thin, so I think at some point in the future a wig will be the only answer, but for now I use Febron. It is a wonderful product and I would recommend it to anyone with thinning hair.