Hair loss is caused by several factors, including diet, mineral deficiencies, medication, stress or severe illness, pollution, and genetics. A third of the population experiences hair loss, and of these, thousands of them are women. There are no guarantees that hair loss caused by genetics or factors beyond your control can be prevented. However, you can maximize your efforts to keep your hair in the best condition and not fall out "prematurely".
Step
Method 1 of 4: Preventing Hair Damage
Step 1. Limit the use of a hairdryer
Heat can weaken hair proteins. Constant heating and drying of hair can make hair coarse and brittle, leading to preventable hair loss. The best option that can be taken is to dry hair naturally (by aerating it). Therefore, try to dry your hair more often naturally, and don't use a heat source hair dryer.
- Other devices that expose hair to heat, such as curling irons, hot combs, and hair straighteners have the same effect.
- If you need to use a heat sourced styling tool, be careful as frequent burning or heat exposure of the scalp can cause permanent damage to the hair follicles!
Step 2. Avoid the perming process
This process refers to the chemical straightening or curling process, and both can damage the hair. In this process, the bonds within the hair strands are broken, and reshaped in different ways to straighten or curl the hair. Perming can weaken the strength of hair and make it dull, dry, and rough. Over time, dry and coarse hair can lead to hair loss.
Step 3. Reduce the use of hair dye and other chemicals
Frequent use of chemical hair dyes increases the chance of serious damage to your hair. Never dye your hair more often than four or six weeks. For gray hair, it's better to let it bleach than to color it.
Step 4. Don't bleach your hair
In the bleaching process, natural pigments are removed when chemicals are absorbed into the hair cuticle. By bleaching your hair, you change the structure of your hair, making it more susceptible to breakage. The strength of the hair is also weakened so that bleaching hair followed by drying and styling using heat-sourced tools can really damage the hair.
Step 5. Don't pull your hair too tight
Some hairstyles that pull the hair too tightly and tie or clip hair can cause hair loss if used every day. For example, hairstyles such as ponytails, tight braids, or cornrows (reggae hairstyles) can cause significant hair loss if used daily. In addition, hair loss can also occur if you often use hair rollers, especially rollers that are equipped with heaters.
The medical term for hair loss due to styling too tight is traction alopecia, but this hair problem can still be prevented
Method 2 of 4: Active Hair Care
Step 1. Wash with a mild shampoo
By washing your hair, you can prevent hair loss by keeping your hair and scalp clean (so the possibility of infection that causes hair loss can be avoided). However, try not to wash your hair every day as shampoo can strip the natural oils from your hair. Try to wash your hair (most often) every other day. As long as you use a mild shampoo, clean hair can give the impression of more volume than dirty hair that tends to be limp and messy.
Step 2. Choose a shampoo that suits your hair type
By choosing the right shampoo, you can keep your head and hair healthy. Therefore, take the time to choose a product that suits your hair type. Find out if you have fine, dry, oily, or normal hair, then try several shampoos to find the right product. If you have dandruff or have dyed your hair, buy a product that is suitable for that condition.
Protein-enriched shampoos and conditioners that claim to increase hair volume only make hair appear smoother and thicker temporarily. These products only fill in the gaps in the hair strands, but cannot repair damaged hair
Step 3. Look at the basic ingredients of the product for a mild shampoo
Using mild shampoo products helps you maintain a healthy scalp and hair. By checking the ingredients list, you can tell if the product is a mild or harsh shampoo. Avoid products that contain sulfates, parabens, and/or sulfonates. Instead, look for products that contain isethionate or glucoside as the first base after water.
- Some of the ingredients commonly found in mild shampoos are sulfosuccinate, sultain, and amphoacetate.
- Silicon, polyquaternium, and guar make good conditioners or bases.
Step 4. Use a quality comb
The way you comb your hair has a big impact on the condition of your hair. Choose a comb or soft brush made of natural fibers, and do not comb the hair from top to bottom, but from the inside out. Also, comb your hair carefully and don't pull your hair too hard.
It's a good idea not to brush your hair when it's wet. Use a regular comb instead
Step 5. Try a scalp massage
A scalp massage with a moisturizing oil (eg coconut, rosemary, lavender, or almond oil) can increase blood flow to the surface of the scalp and hair follicles. Rubbing and squeezing the scalp can warm the skin and encourage blood circulation so that the cells in the follicles get lots of nutrients that can promote hair growth.
Massage on the scalp also makes you feel relaxed and improves overall body function
Step 6. Perform a hair thinning test if you are concerned
To test if you are experiencing hair loss, you can use a tug test (pull test). Take a handful of hair (about 20-30 strands) and hold it with your thumb and forefinger. Pull the hair firmly and slowly afterwards. If more than six strands of hair are pulled at the same time, you may have a hair loss problem.
This not tested so make sure you see a doctor or hair and scalp specialist (tricologist) if you think you're losing more/rapid hair than usual. Keep in mind that everyone naturally experiences hair loss or hair loss.
Method 3 of 4: Eating the Right Food for Healthy Hair
Step 1. Consume types of food with balanced nutrition
Nutritional boosts to prevent hair loss are basically simple steps you normally follow to keep your body, hair and scalp healthy. Keep in mind that a healthy body usually has healthy hair than a diseased body. Hair loss can be slowed by eating a healthy diet consisting of vegetables and fruits. There are several vitamins and minerals (listed in the next steps) that are beneficial, especially in maintaining healthy hair and preventing hair loss.
Step 2. Eat plenty of iron intake
Iron is an important mineral known as heme iron in animal food sources, and nonhem iron in plant food sources. Iron deficiency can cause anemia which interferes with the supply of nutrients to the hair follicles, thereby increasing hair loss. To prevent this, make sure you add foods rich in iron to your diet.
- Red meat, chicken, and fish are good sources of iron.
- Green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and kale (cabbage leaves) are also good sources of iron.
Step 3. Eat enough protein
Protein is an important substance for maintaining hair strength. Lack of protein can cause dry and weak hair, which can eventually lead to hair loss. Adequate protein intake provides amino acids that can strengthen hair. Usually, this substance is contained in shampoo, but the intake of protein from food ingredients can also improve the condition of the hair and prevent hair loss if you consume it in large enough quantities.
- Get protein intake by eating seafood, poultry, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, peas, pork chops, soybeans, lean beef, and protein snacks/biscuits.
- People who don't eat dairy products, vegans, etc. can get vegetable protein intake from tempeh, tofu, whole wheat bread, peanut butter, brown rice, lentils, quinoa, beans, seitan, peas, and broccoli..
Step 4. Consume more vitamin C
Foods rich in vitamin C help with iron absorption, so combine iron-rich foods with foods high in vitamin C to maximize iron absorption. Vitamin C also promotes collagen production in the body which can strengthen the capillary tubes that support hair strands. Some good sources of vitamin C, including:
- Citrus, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, baked potatoes, and tomatoes.
- Blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries can also be good sources of vitamin C.
Step 5. Make sure you are getting enough omega-3 fatty acids
This type of fat helps maintain healthy hair and prevents dry and rough hair. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in the cells that line the scalp, and also keep hair and scalp moisturized. This fat is an important fat that unfortunately cannot be produced by the body, but can be obtained through the food you consume.
- Add fish that contain omega-3 from deep water to your diet, such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel.
- You can also get these fatty acids through whole grains and nuts, especially flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts.
Step 6. Eat foods rich in biotin
Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin. This vitamin is important for hair because its deficiency can cause coarse hair and accelerate hair loss. Some foods that are good sources of biotin include whole grains, liver, egg whites, soy flour, walnut paste, and yeast.
Whole grains are also a good source of zinc. Zinc deficiency can cause dry and itchy scalp, as well as hair loss
Step 7. Try taking supplements
Talk to your doctor first before trying to take supplements to prevent hair loss. Some types of supplement products you can ask your doctor about include biotin, inositol, iron, vitamin C, and saw palmetto (a type of short palm tree with sharp leaves). These products have not been proven effective in preventing hair loss, but the experience of some people is evidence of the positive effects of these products.
Step 8. Identify the types of foods to avoid
Just as when knowing what is good to eat, you also need to know the types of foods that need to be avoided. Although the basic rules of balanced nutrition still need to be followed, there are some things that can actually cause hair loss. The artificial sweetener aspartame is known to cause thinning and hair loss. Additives in food can also have a negative impact.
Raw egg whites contain substances that can bind to biotin so that its absorption is disrupted
Step 9. Make sure you are getting enough calories
Low-calorie foods can cause temporary hair loss. Your body needs minerals and vitamins (as mentioned earlier) to grow and maintain healthy hair. By reducing your food intake, you will be missing out on important nutrients. In addition, reducing too many calories can cause severe stress so that hair stops growing or goes into a "resting" or "hibernation" phase. Do not follow fast diets or crash diets. Otherwise, you will experience hair loss while losing weight.
Method 4 of 4: Seeking Medical Help for Hair Loss
Step 1. Know the right time to visit the doctor
It's important to know if your hair loss is a symptom of a more serious medical problem. In this condition, you should see a doctor immediately. Call your doctor if you experience hair loss in an unusual pattern, or too fast at a young age (eg in your teens or 20s). Apart from that, some other symptoms to watch out for are:
- Pain and itching with hair loss, or a red, peeling scalp.
- The presence of baldness in the beard or eyebrows.
- If you are a woman and experience male pattern baldness, abnormal hair growth on the face and body, or irregular menstrual patterns, there may be a hormonal disorder causing the hair loss.
- Weight gain, fatigue, muscle weakness, and intolerance to cold temperatures.
Step 2. Make an appointment with the doctor
Before visiting, it's a good idea to think about your symptoms so you can explain them to your doctor. Find out when you first experienced hair loss, and whether the loss is occasional or ongoing. In addition, try to think or consider the following:
- Are you experiencing poor hair growth, hair breakage, or hair loss?
- Has anyone in your immediate family experienced hair loss?
- Are you on medication or taking supplements?
Step 3. Get to know hair loss treatments for men
Inherited pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss. In men, baldness is generally characterized by a reduction in the hairline that forms the letter "M" on the front of the head. Although this condition is not considered a disease and is based on genes, there are several treatments that doctors can provide. The two most commonly used drugs are:
- Minoxidil (Rogaine). This medication is a topical ointment that is applied to the scalp to stimulate hair follicles. This product is available in the form of a 2% and 5% concentrated ointment, and is used once a day.
- Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar). This drug is a pill that can block the production of a certain type of testosterone that is associated with baldness. Pregnant women should not touch or handle Finasterid tablets that have been crushed or broken.
Step 4. Get to know hair loss treatments for women
About a third of women experience hair loss. About two-thirds of menopausal women experience thinning or pattern baldness in their hair. Women rarely experience hairline reduction, but thinning at one hairline progresses to a reduction or blending of hair on the top of the head. Some of the most common medications used to treat female pattern baldness/hair loss include:
- Minoxidil (Rogaine). This medication is a topical ointment that is massaged into the scalp. Minoxidil is excreted in breast milk after you take the oral medication so it should not be taken while you are breastfeeding.
- Anti-androgens. This drug is a receptor blocker that is very rarely given to patients.
- Iron supplements. This product is usually given, especially to vegetarians, people who have a history of anemia, or women who experience serious bleeding during menstruation.
Tips
- Do not expose your hair to excessive sunlight.
- Avoid using styling gels or similar products as they tend to accelerate, fall, break, and break hair on a daily basis.
- Choose a mild shampoo or conditioner. Products like this are more "friendly" to the hair and can improve the overall condition of the hair. Also, avoid harsh soaps (especially those with deodorant) as they can damage the scalp.
- Celiac disease (celiac) can cause hair loss. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about this health condition.
- Some diseases (eg thyroid disorders) and antibiotic treatment can cause hair loss. Therefore, take care of your body so that you can ward off the negative effects of the disease or treatment on your hair.
- Humans lose about 100 hairs every day. Usually, hair does not fall out before you take a shower or other activities. If you're experiencing more frequent hair loss than usual, even without pattern baldness, this symptom may be something you need to pay attention to.
- Before going to bed, tie or braid your hair loosely instead of letting it loose. Your hair won't pull as much when your body moves or turns when you sleep.
- If you are pregnant, don't panic when you experience postpartum alopecia. Hair loss due to pregnancy is terrible, but it is a natural result of the hormonal changes that pregnancy brings. These changes alter the quality and even thickness of the hair. In fact, the hair loss is a sign of a return of hormones to normal levels. After experiencing hair loss due to postpartum alopecia, your hair will grow back in a few months.
- Try applying the oil on your scalp before going to bed. You can rinse it off in the morning using a proper shampoo. This treatment promotes hair growth on the scalp, as well as making hair stronger.
