The Thinning of Hair

January 25, 2016

When people make resolutions (usually at the beginning of a new year) the part of their body that they want to make thinner isn’t their hair. Getting healthier and more physically fit tends to result in a better quality of life. If you happen to have thinning hair, determining a way to promote new growth and get fuller and thicker hair that will maintain on your head can help benefit the quality of your life as well.

In order to understand why hair thins in the first place and how to combat the issue, you need to get to the root of the issue (pun intended). Here are some of the causes of thinning hair:

Hot showers

“We all know that hot water can dehydrate our skin, but did you know the same rule applies to your hair? Ryan Welter, MD, a Boston-based hair transplant surgeon explains: ‘Not only are you washing your hair’s protecting oils down the drain, but the heat throws your scalps pores into overdrive to keep up with oil production, which can damage the root and lead to additional shedding.’

Using too many heat tools

Ironic, isn’t it? All that that drying and curling we do to make our hair look fabulous is actually doing it the most damage. Not everyone is a wash-and-wear kind of person, though, so if you really can’t part with your heated tools, make sure you prep your strands with a heat protection spray. Also, they may be more expensive but ceramic-plated tools are 10 times better for your hair. The ceramic plate has a uniform heating system that makes it impossible for it to overheat and cause damage to the hair from burning. Additionally, you’ll get a better aesthetic result.

Styling when wet

Our strands are never more fragile and prone to breakage than when they’re saturated with water – this is because the protective cuticle is slightly raised. Brushing or combing locks in the shower, then following with aggressive towel-drying and prompt styling is a recipe for swift breakages. To avoid this, let your hair dry as naturally as possible when you get out of the shower and wait patiently before styling.

Over-shampooing

The purpose of shampooing your hair is to cleanse the hair and scalp of oil and product build-up. However, there is actually such thing as over-shampooing. This can wash away your hair’s natural moisture that helps your hair look healthy and dries it out. This is especially true if you’re using a shampoo that’s more tropical-scented foam than nutrition for your hair. So how much should you wash it? Unfortunately, there’s no specific algorithm. See what works best for you, stick to it, and always be gentle.”

Of course, these are only a few of the potential causes of hair thinning. Every person is different and the factors that contribute to a particular individual experiencing hair thinning will vary. The best course of action is to consult with your Ottawa hair salon for an assessment of your scalp. From there they will be able to determine the root cause of the thinning and the best course of action to regrow hair.