Want To Stop Hair Loss? Seven Ideas.

By Andrea Berman

I don’t believe it is hyperbole to state that for many of us thick hair represents a gold standard for beauty and health. It holds tacit importance in our lives. Conversely, the lack of it, or thinning hair, often evokes a visceral negative response.

Evidence of this is the outsized interest and popularity of the topic of hair loss on my The Beauty Maestra blog. I understand why, given my decade-long hair challenges.

For those in this predicament, let’s examine hair loss, some of its more common causes, and ultimately what seven solutions worked for me—and might for you.

What is Excessive Hair Loss?

Hair loss happens to all of us. The average rate of “normal” loss is about 50-100 hairs each day. Since we don’t count individual hairs, how do we know if we have “excessive” loss? The signs are observable and include:

• a hair part that gets wider;

• noticeable patches of thin or missing hair;

• thinner ponytails;

• increased fallout on the brush, floor, shower, and pillows.

Hair Growth Cycle Phases.

Hair has a recurring growth cycle. The chart below depicts the “normal” cycle and timeframes. With a normal hair growth cycle, most hairs exist in the Anagen or first growth phase for 6 years or longer. Excessive hair loss is identified by a disruption to this hair growth cycle. Fewer hairs are in the Anagen or growth phase, and that phase is much shorter in duration.

Hair Loss Types and Causes. Shedding excess hair has a multitude of causes. Aside from a genetic predisposition to balding, hormonal changes, including menopause, day-to-day factors such as illness/medications, stress, and nutrient deficiencies are contributing hair loss factors.Below is a chart that provides an overview of four of the more common types of hair loss.

Seven Steps to (Help) Stop Thinning Hair.

Here are seven suggestions to help stop thinning hair. I’ve successfully implemented six of these. Number seven is an important honorable mention. I’ve also linked a couple of suggested products.

1. Hair Coloring/Dye

Whether you dye your hair professionally or at home, permanent hair color is tough on hair and scalp. Consider extending the interval between hair coloring appointments. A good root color spray covers gray effectively for between-time visits.

For those who visit a salon, discuss color alternatives and modifications with your stylist. Not all hair dyes are created equal and not everyone necessarily needs heat to process color.

2. Vitamins

While Biotin has been touted as the best for hair growth, my experience is that Biotin alone is not sufficient. As mentioned earlier, medications, stress, and disease are a few of the causal factors for hair loss. Consider a more holistic immune and hair-supportive approach with a daily comprehensive vitamin. Choose a vitamin that has:

• Biotin

• B Complex

• Vitamin C

• Zinc

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin D

• Horsetail—a very effective hair supplement for hair but caution if you have gout, diabetes, liver disease.

3. Sulfate Free Hair Products

Sulfates are used in most cleaning supplies and detergents. They have been placed in hair products to produce more lather when washing hair. Sulfates can strip natural oils from the scalp resulting in drier hair, more breakage, and more hair trauma. Strongly consider switching to sulfate-free products.

4. Shampoo and Blow Dry Hair Less Often.

Our scalps and hair are less oily as we age. Washing every 3-5 days is sufficient. Minimize time with the blow dryer.

5. Stress Management

The connection between stress and hair fallout is real.

6. Sleep

As discussed in Paragraph 2, a well-running immune system is important for hair growth. Getting enough sleep, along with the right vitamins, is a critical factor to accomplish that.

7. Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy is a technology developed by NASA decades ago and has been proven to stimulate hair growth. While I believe we will continue to hone the technology, red light caps on the market today stimulate the scalp and increase oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle. They have been surprisingly successful in regrowing hair for some people with hair loss. They are not inexpensive but depending on the severity, could be very well worth the splurge and try.

There is no silver bullet to regain thicker hair, and we are not alone in this struggle. The truth is that some of us may reverse thinning hair while others may not. My hope is that we all can get to a place where thinner locks become a better more inclusive version of beauty and health. That really might not be such a bad thing.

Andrea is a beauty expert with a blog, The Beauty Maestra. dedicated to those of us in our fifties and beyond who are interested in transformative insights about our specific skin and beauty needs.

My Thinning Hair—Before

My Hair After