Four Horrible Hair Habits

For many, hair loss comes down to combination of genetics and hormones – meaning there’s little they can do on their own to prevent or reverse it – requiring instead the help of a professional like Dr. Stong.

Luckily though, that doesn’t mean that protecting your strands is completely out of your hands. Rethinking a few of your daily habits can go a long way in promoting a thick, healthy, youthful head of hair.

• Taking long, hot showers. While a nice, long shower might feel great on these cold January mornings, the heated water isn’t a friend of your follicles. Hot water dehydrates strands, making them more brittle and susceptible to breakage. It also causes the scalp to produce excess oil, which can lead to more shedding. Opt for a shorter shower, and rinse with cool water, instead.
• Heat-styling. A blow out may look great right after it’s done, but it’s bad news for your hair in the long run. Using blow dryers, curling irons, and other heated tools strips your hair of moisture and causes it to break. If you do choose to heat-style your hair, try to limit the frequency and opt for the coolest setting possible. Also invest in a protective spray, which provides a barrier for delicate, wet strands (hair is at its most fragile when it’s wet).
• Tying it too tightly. Pulling your hair back tightly with a hair-tie is bad news for both men and women. Doing this puts serious tension on the follicles, causing hair to break and fall out – a problem called traction alopecia. Super tight ponytails and buns may also actually cause your hairline to recede. Leave your hair down instead, or tie it back loosely with a band that doesn’t tug or pull.
• Eating junk food. You may not think so, but what you put in your mouth is reflected on your head – or rather, the vitamins and minerals in the food you eat play a big role in the health of your hair. A nutrient-dense diet loaded with things like protein, iron, zinc, omega-3s, and biotin help to promote growth, shine, and strength for your strands. So skip the chips and head down the produce aisle, instead.