A woman’s hair is her crowning glory, but it usually gets thinner as she ages. One third of women reportedly experience hair loss or thinning after the age of 30, and it can start as early as your 20s. This can have a huge impact on your confidence and self-image, so what causes it and how can you prevent it?

Genetics

Ioan Mares, Head Trichologist (specialist hair and scalp expert) at Millennium Hair Restoration Clinic in Cork, told RSVP that genetic hair loss is the most common type of hair loss. “With androgenetic thinning, the anagen (growth) phase gradually shortens and hair follicles very slowly shrink and produce finer, shorter hairs with each passing hair growth cycle,” he explains. “The main thing you can do is make sure there are no external factors aggravating the hair, so you can keep it in the best shape it can be.”

Nutrition

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important for hair growth – some foods that are great for your locks include eggs, fatty fish, sweet potatoes, berries, and nuts. “Good nutrition is important because hair is classed as a non-essential tissue, so it’s not important for the functioning of the body,” Ioan says. “Because of this, hair is often the first thing that is nutritionally cut back by your body – or the last thing to receive nutrition.”

Supplements

According to a study in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, taking oral supplements can help combat thinning hair. Research found that those who took supplements noticed improvements in overall hair volume, scalp coverage and thickness of hair body after 90 days. Collagen, Vitamin A, Zinc and Biotin are all really important when it comes to helping your hair grow, so if you’re not getting enough of these a supplement is a great idea.

Stress

Extreme stress really can make your hair fall out – although not straight away. Because of the nature of your hair growth cycle, most hair loss will happen anywhere from six to 12 weeks after a stressful event. “If possible, try to keep your stress levels low,” Ioan says. “Things like yoga and exercise can help.”

Styling habits

Styling tools like straighteners, curlers and hair dryers can be very harsh on your hair, causing breakage. If possible, use these tools on a lower heat, apply a heat protection spray beforehand, and try not to use them every day. Brush your hair gently using a brush with rounded plastic prongs, don’t brush it more often than needed, and never use a brush on wet hair. The best way to detangle your hair is using a wide-toothed comb, starting at the bottom of your hair, and don’t tug too hard or you could end up pulling strands out. You should also make sure you’re not washing your hair too frequently or shampooing too roughly – if you have dry or brittle hair, you shouldn’t be lathering up every day. Finally, remember to get regular trims (when the hairdressers are open again!).

Smoking

Smoking reduces blood circulation to the scalp, which can inhibit the growth of hair follicles and cause your hair to thin. Cigarette smoke can also lead to oxidative stress and the development of free radicals, which are also bad news for your barnet. Your hair could recover if you quit the cigs, depending on how long you’ve been a smoker and how much damage has already been done.

If you are worried about hair loss, you can book a consultation with Ioan at Millennium Hair Restoration Clinic in Cork or Premier Hair Restoration in Dublin.

W: www.millenniumhairclinic.ie

T: 087 717 6296

E: info@millenniumhairclinic.ie