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Hair loss can be upsetting and even embarrassing to those who experience it. Two-thirds of men will be affected by male pattern baldness in their lifetime, while 40 percent of women over 70 experience hair loss. Although some people may be more genetically predisposed to lose hair, there are certain habits that can both prevent and cause shedding.
With this in mind professional trichologist at FUE Clinics, Arran Isherwood, shared seven habits that could lead to hair loss with Express.co.uk.
Drying your hair with a towel
“Your hair is more vulnerable when wet, as proteins in the follicles form weaker hydrogen bonds, causing stretchiness,” he said.
“This results in the hair follicles opening up, making them more susceptible to damage. That’s why drying your hair by rubbing it with a rough towel can result in frizziness or breakage.
“Wrapping your head in a large towel should also be avoided; the weight on your head can pull at your hair strands, causing them to break and if left on your head for a long time, the towel will absorb lots of water from your damp hair, making it even heavier.
“If you’re worried about getting damaged hair from drying with a towel, try using a microfiber one instead. Unlike regular towels, they’re super soft and won’t be rough on your hair.
“They absorb just the right amount of water, too: enough to dry your hair without having to rub excessively and cause breakage, but not too much that it makes your towel heavy on your head, pulling on your strands.”
Brushing your hair when wet
He explained: “Similarly to rubbing hair with a towel, if you’re brushing your hair when wet, there’s a high chance you’re causing damage.
“Your hair will be considerably weaker when damp, so brushing it — especially from the roots — can result in split ends or flyaways, stopping you from achieving a silky smooth head of hair. Worse still, you could pull strands directly from the root, causing bald patches or thinning.
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“To prevent this, let your hair air dry for a while before using a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle, starting with the ends.”
Tight hairstyles
Arran said: “Tight hairstyles like slicked-back buns and ponytails pull on your roots, resulting in hair breakage or even loss over time if you’re styling like this frequently. This is known as traction alopecia: a form of hair loss.
“Thankfully, hair can repair and grow back over time if tight hairstyles, and anything that tugs on your hair, are avoided immediately. However, if diagnosed too late, hair follicles may already be destroyed, meaning natural regrowth isn’t possible.”
Washing your hair too often
“Overwashing your hair may strip away the natural oils that protect and keep it soft, leaving you with dry, brittle strands,” he said. “Dry hair is more vulnerable and, therefore, more prone to damage; simply running your hands through it, tying it up, or brushing it could cause breakage.
“To prevent the damage that comes with washing your hair too much, you’ll simply need to cut back on how many times you clean it. Two to three times a week is ideal, but this will vary from person to person and depends on various factors like lifestyle and hair type.”
Washing your hair with hot water
He said: “We know jumping into a relaxing hot shower or bath is tempting — especially during the chilly winter months but this could cause significant damage to your hair. Like overwashing, hot water can strip the essential natural oils from the scalp, resulting in dry hair that is prone to damage or greasy hair due to the overproduction of oils.
“It can also irritate and inflame your scalp over time, possibly interrupting hair growth or even resulting in hair loss. Turning the temperature down in your shower is a simple way to prevent damage to your hair.”
Conditioning your roots
“While using conditioner can certainly produce soft, smooth hair, it’s important that you avoid the roots,” Arran said.
“Applying conditioner near the scalp can weigh your hair down, making it appear greasy, flat, and dull — even if you’ve only just washed it. The scalp produces oils naturally, so there’s really no need to use it high up on your head.
“Focus on applying conditioner to the ends of your hair where the strands are prone to drying out, and try not to go past your ears. This way, you can have beautiful silky hair without it looking limp.”
Using heat styling tools too often
He added: “Exposure to high temperatures with tools like dryers, curling tongs, and straighteners can be detrimental to the health of your hair.
“Repeatedly using heat to style your hair can change keratins — proteins found in the hair follicles — resulting in dry, weak stands that are more susceptible to damage.
“Give your hair a break, and when you do use a styling tool, remember to use heat protectant before you begin. This acts as a barrier between your hair and the styling tool and locks in moisture, protecting and keeping your hair looking smooth.”
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