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Hair Loss and Solutions

1. DIET

   Hair is one of the first indications of your health. Ever notice it’s one of the first things to suffer when you get sick? Luckily, your diet is one of the biggest things to impact your health and something you can control. Are you getting the necessary nutrients to keep you healthy and your hair luscious? See the list below for the most important nutrients your hair needs. There are many ways to get these without going crazy at the vitamin store. Eat plenty of foods containing:

   • Fatty Acids – Your body can’t produce these on its own so it relies on your nutrition. Eat walnuts, flaxseeds, fish and avocado.
   • Vitamin C – This boosts the collagen around your hair shafts. Bonus – Vitamin C helps fight wrinkles! Eat citrus fruits, strawberries and red peppers. 
   • Methylsulfonylmethane – Boost the production of keratin, a hair protein, while strengthening hair follicles. Eat leafy vegetables (such as Swiss chard, cabbage and watercress), uncooked veggies or cooked veggies (such as Asparagus and Beets)
   • Iron – Another important aid in hair growth. Note that Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron! Eat chicken, eggs, fish, lean meats, liver, green leafy vegetables, leeks, cashews, dried fruits, figs, and berries.
   • Silica – Eat cucumber, mango, green leafs, beans, celery, and asparagus.
   • Zinc – Eat pumpkin seeds, fresh oysters, brazil nuts, eggs, and pecans.
   • Vitamin E – Helps you nourish damaged hair and prevent breakage. Eat sunflower seeds, almonds, pine nuts, dried apricots, cooked spinach and olives.
   • B-Complex Vitamins – Reduce hair thinning, increase scalp circulation and rejuvenate hair follicles. Take 100 mg daily of a B-complex supplement with biotin and vitamin B6.
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2. HORMONES

   to take your hair away too! Joking aside, I suspected my birth control might be the culprit of my hair loss. After some research, I read birth control containing Progestin with a high androgen index (a synthetic form of Progesterone) contributed to the hair loss in a growing number of women. Progestins act like testosterone in the body and shrink hair follicles, so women experience hair thinning much like men do. In addition, hormonal birth control disrupts the normal hair growth cycle.
    
   Don’t cry yet! Women can reverse hair thinning with diet, switching birth control (with lower androgen levels) or by quitting hormonal birth control. Don’t expect drastic improvements at once. Some women notice thicker or hair growth within a few months, but most recovery cases take up to a year or more. Patience is key!

   I was on the pill (Yasmin then Tri-cyclen Low) for the past 7-8 years. I decided to quit cold turkey at the beginning of 2017 (more on that in the future) and didn’t look back! My doctor advised my birth control might be the cause of my hair thinning. After looking at past photos of myself, I couldn’t justify my hair issue as imaginary anymore. Now, I’m not telling you to quit your birth control, but this is the option that worked best for myself. You have to do what’s best for you, your body and your circumstance.
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3. HABITS

   You could be mishandling your hair and not even know it! Do you do any of the following actions below? I know I’m guilty of some of these. Take a look at the list to see consequences and alternatives.

   • Take STEAMY/HOT showers – heat will dehydrate your hair leading to dry and brittle hair. This makes it easier for hair strands to break. Solution: lower the temperature
   • Use heating tools daily – Similar to hot showers, extreme heat damages the hair proteins making it prone to breakage. Solution: lower the temperature, limit the use of heating tools to a few times a week, and remember to use a heat protecting product. I like to use Loma’s Nourishing Oil Treatment – it smells great and the oil leaves my hair soft.
   • Mishandling wet hair – Your hair is most fragile when it’s wet. This means brushing wet hair or aggressive towel drying can snap strands off. Solution: brush before your shower or after your hair dries. Also, instead of rubbing hair with a towel, blot it dry
   • Wear tight updos regularly – Wearing too many tight updos puts stress on your head. Eventually, this damages hair follicles. Solution: Give your hair a break and let loose. Let your hair down especially when going to sleep.
   • Scratch your head a lot – Scratching your head frequently can damage hair follicles. Solution: Switch to a shampoo that relieves itching with ingredients like selenium, zinc pyrithione, or tea tree oil
   • Regularly skip washing your hair – I am so guilty of this! A buildup of hair products or excessive dandruff on the scalp can clog hair follicles, and make it difficult for hair to grow. Solution – try to clean your hair every other day. If you’re worried about drying out your hair, use a sulfate-free shampoo/conditioner. Personally, I stand by Loma’s Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner.

Did I miss anything? What are your experiences? I’d love to know! Leave a comment below!