Hair is significant for many individuals since it’s often one of the first physical traits that others notice. It’s why many people go to great lengths to care for their hair.
It is not uncommon to notice hair fall in one, two, or even three strands. Usually, they are barely noticeable, and sometimes they are as thin and dense as a thread. But what if you go to the extent of losing more than 50 strands each day? Such a loss of hair can impact your overall appearance and self-esteem.
7 Habits That Can Cause Hair Fall
If you’re unsure of what’s causing the problem, here are some habits you need to stop to prevent hair fall and have healthy-looking hair.
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Going overboard with bleaching
Bleaching your hair is the process of using bleach hydrogen peroxide or ammonia to lighten the color of your hair. This step is common for those who want to lift the color of their hair to get the desired light hue, such as pastel shades. However, bleaching your hair too often can cause damage in the long run.
Overbleaching your hair can damage the cuticle, or the outermost layer, leading to breakage and hair fall as a common side effect. It can lead to even more severe problems like permanent hair loss if you neglect to moderate your bleach use.
One way to care for bleached hair is to avoid using strong shampoos or conditioners. These hair products can weaken the strands, leading to further damage and breakage.
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Using too high heat
You may want to dial back on your use of hair styling devices that use heat, including hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons. The heat from these devices causes thermal damage, resulting in the hair’s protein bonds breaking. Over time, it may weaken the hair, making it fragile and prone to breakage.
Lowering the heat settings on your hair care tools is the best and simplest way to avoid this problem. You may also want to avoid heating your hair for an extended period because this can make it difficult for the hair to repair itself. Other ways to keep your hair healthy while styling is to use heat protectants or leave-in conditioners before styling and avoid ironing it while wet.
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Doing tight hairstyles
Be careful about how you hold your hair when you style it.
Tight hairstyles are common among women, especially those with long hair since it’s a good hairstyle to keep the hair in place and away from the face. You may even see a tight ponytail or other tight hairstyles on athletes during their activities. However, the constant hard tugging on your hair can harm your roots, and it may even cause breakage and a receding hairline.
One way to help keep your hair healthy when doing a tight hairstyle is to use conditioner. These products prevent your scalp from drying and make your hair easy to style. Apart from conditioners, moisturizing shampoos may do just the trick. This product can help detangle your hair so you can brush your hair gently with ease.
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Exposing your hair to the sun too much
The sun is the best vitamin D source to keep you healthy. However, exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB for a prolonged period can result in damaged cuticles and lead to thinning, dry, frizzy, and brittle hair.
If you need to be under the sun all day, you may want to bring an umbrella with you or wear a hat. This way, you can block the sun’s harmful rays and keep your skin and hair healthy. You can also apply scalp sunscreen to be doubly sure.
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Washing your hair with shampoo frequently
Washing the hair frequently with shampoo is one of the most common habits that trigger hair fall. Shampooing your hair at least twice a day can strip away all the natural oils from your scalp and make it dry. If the scalp is dry, you can have a hair loss problem because when the hair isn’t well-hydrated, its roots become weak and brittle, making it prone to breakage.
However, you can still shampoo without causing hair fall. Consider using a mild and moisturizing product once every two to three days; use an oil-free product if you have a naturally oily scalp. Furthermore, avoid clarifying shampoos since they remove the natural oils from your scalp, drying it out.
If you need to wash your hair for the day, do so the night before. Washing your hair at night allows time for its natural oils to be replenished by morning. You also won’t need extra time in the morning to dry and style your hair, which is an added benefit.
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Putting the wrong styling products
Many styling products contain harsh chemicals which can damage your scalp and cause irritation. This irritation leads to dandruff which causes more hair fall than usual.
If you have normal hair, avoid using styling products that contain ingredients like alcohol. This harmful component can strip the natural oils from your scalp, leading to dryness, itchiness, and dandruff. They may also cause severe damage if you have a sensitive scalp or have a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis.
Instead, opt for herbal or organic products. The common ingredients you should look for here are aloe vera gel, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and the like.
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Skipping meals
Skipping meals can be detrimental to you in certain ways. It can make you feel weak, tired, and lethargic—not to mention this habit can result in hair fall. Not eating or having an unhealthy diet won’t just lead to a weak body; it can also lead to vitamin deficiency, wherein your hair doesn’t get the nutrients it needs.
The best way to treat hair fall resulting from this habit is to eat proper meals regularly. Doing so keeps your body healthy and strong from inside and out.
Keep Your Hair from Falling
Hair fall is a common problem that you can prevent by getting rid of bad habits. Changing lifestyle habits may take a while, but when you start seeing the results, you’ll feel better, look years younger and be healthier.
