10 Things You Should Do If Your Hair Is Thinning
When it comes to addressing the challenges of thinning hair, it can be difficult to know where to start. From prescription drugs to folk cures, there are infinite options; but which ones are safe, effective and will work for you?
To help, we’ve put together this handy list of our top tips. Plus, what products you should use to support fuller looking hair.
1. Check For Dietary Deficiencies
The No. 1 most common cause of hair thinning is a dietary deficiency of some kind. If your diet is lacking in:
- Protein
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- B vitamins
- Folic acid
You can see the impact on your scalp and strands. Try keeping a food journey to track your nutrient consumption throughout the day, and make sure your hair is getting the nutritional support it needs!
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2. Switch to a Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner
Incorporating an volumizing shampoo and conditioner into your regular wash routine is a great way to make sure your hair is getting the support it needs. Shampoos and conditioners designed to support thicker looking hair help encourage the appearance of sleeker, healthier hair strands and supply the scalp with the nutrients it needs to encourage healthy hair. Look for formulas that contain scientifically researched ingredients to support hair health for optimal results.
3. Reduce Your Stress
When you’re chronically stressed, you can experience telogen effluvium, a state where hair sheds rapidly from the scalp. Combat this by incorporating relaxation techniques into your daily routine, such as:
- Mindfulness practices
- Daily gratitude lists
- Spending time in nature
- Avoiding screens before bed
- Try a yoga routine designed to send blood flow to your scalp
These practices help signal your body to shut down the stress response and get growing!
4. Try Essential Oils
There is some evidence that applying essential oils to the scalp and strands may help improve overall hair health, creating the conditions necessary for new growth. Try:
- Lavender oil
- Rosemary oil
- Clary sage oil
- Peppermint oil
- Tea tree oil
You can mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil with a gentle carrier oil like marula oil and apply the mixture directly to the scalp or mix it into your favorite shampoo or conditioner for easy application.
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5. Supplement Your Diet
Studies show that biotin, folic acid, zinc, and other vitamins are critical to the cell turnover that helps encourage hair growth and retention. Eating a daily biotin gummy designed to support healthy hair is the perfect way to add hair wellness support to your daily routine and set yourself up for success!
6. Skip the High-Stress Hairstyles
While an occasional high ponytail won’t make or break your hair growth success, there are certain hairstyles that can stress out strands, causing increased shedding. Here are some looks to avoid if you’re concerned about thinning hair:
- Tight braids
- Wearing hair extensions too long
- Sleeping in a bun to preserve a blowout
- Excessively long strands
- Color treating hair
Switching up your hairstyle routine can help reduce the stress on your locks and encourage strand retention.
Learn: What Is Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia?
7. Stay Away from Heat
When overly strong heat is applied directly to the hair shaft, it can cause dryness, damage and breakage — all of which can set you back on your hair growth journey. If you must occasionally use heat to style, apply a protective product and use a heat tool with a temperature gauge so you can avoid frying those fragile strands.
8. Try Scalp Massage
Investing in a handheld scalp massager is one of the easiest steps you can take to alleviate hair thinning. Not only does scalp massage feel great, but it can also help stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles, providing new growth with an infusion of mineral support. Use a scalp massager when showering to help encourage deeper penetration of medicated shampoo and conditioners, or use daily on dry hair to support scalp circulation.
9. Balance Your Gut Biome
A growing body of evidence suggests that the gut’s microbiome is critical to the growth of healthy hair. Not only does it regulate the production of the nutrients growing hair needs, but it also creates conditions within the body that encourage healthy hair, including the hormones that regulate the various phases of hair growth. Support your microbiome by adding a probiotic to your daily routine.
10. Exercise
Adding a half-hour of heartbeat-raising exercise to your routine helps boost hair growth by increasing circulation and blood flow throughout the body, including the scalp. This causes an increase of oxygen and nutrients to reach the hair follicles, reducing shedding and supporting long-term growth.
Hair Growth Takes Time
Whatever method you choose to alleviate thinning hair, know that it will take some time to see results. Healthy hair grows about one-half inch per month, meaning that it will take some time for you to notice the impact of new lifestyle changes on your locks. But be patient and stick with it! Your best hair days are yet to come.
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Photo credit: Mikhail Nilov/Pexels
