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1. Nutrition/ Nutritional Supplements
Our hair, skin and nails are a direct reflection of our health status. If your diet is lacking in something important this will be quick to show in your hair as either porosity, slowed growth or hair fall. It's a well known in the cosmetic world that folate/ folic acid helps with hair growth, but you're going to want to go for foods that are high in: protein (hair is made of 85% protein and is a major factor in hair quality and greying speed), iron, omegas, selenium and b vitamins. If you're noticing an ongoing problem with excessive hair fall then a well balanced diet including food groups such as protein, carbohydrates, good fats, fruits and plenty of water per day might help.
2. Hair Products
Beauty manufacturers are recognising hair fall in women as a common problem, and over the past few years there have been loads of products released onto the market. From scalp lotions to thickening shampoos, there are tonnes of options in just chemists alone. The last thing you want when you're already experiencing hair fall is even more loss due to breakage, and so it's important to make sure you're keeping the hair you have strong and protected; I'll always recommend deep conditioning treatments and oils because they're so effective used in most cases once a week. Brush gently, use a heat protectant and go easy on the styling tools- at least until you have a better idea of what's causing the problem.
3. Massage
Massage is incredibly relaxing and can help bring down stress levels, There's no actual proof that it alone encourages hair growth, but the
placebo effect of taking care of the hair and making time for yourself
is a plus. You can gently massage your scalp yourself either when applying an oil treatment or just when you're washing your hair.
4. Breathe
Stress can lead to poor nutrition due to loss of interest in food, exacerbate existing problems related to hair loss such as hair pulling- and all in all mean you're not looking after yourself and your hair as well as you could. While you can't force yourself to stress less (if only it were that easy!) there are a number of lifestyle changes you could think about making in order to help get your stress levels under control. Yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises are a great way to centre
and calm yourself after a busy taxing day. You can even find fifteen minute relaxation
routines on Youtube to do before bed each night.
5. Contact a Specialist
If you are experiencing a persistent and aggressive hair loss that is impacting on your hair density, it's well worth contacting a professional. I know girls who have gone to their GP about hair fall in the past and have been sent away and made to feel a bit silly, being dismissed in this way really is the last thing you need at such a stressful time. GPs often put conditions of the hair down to stress when they actually
aren't sure at all; it could be hormonal, psychological (in the case of hair pulling) illness such as anaemia or a number of other factors. So my advice would be to contact a specialist such as Sussex Trichology (website/ Facebook); unlike a GP a trichologist specialises in hair and scalp problems. Your GP may be helpful and agree to blood test, however trichology expert
Shuna Hammocks is also a phlebotomist so could carry out private blood
analysis. They're able to empathise with you and not just dismiss you as being silly or dramatic, and will take the time to get to the bottom of the problem. A specialist will understand how devastating hair loss can be, and will able to treatment tailor a plan with your condition, medical history and lifestyle in mind.
Do you have any questions about your experience with hair loss?
Expert Shuna Hammocks will be happy to guide
Expert Shuna Hammocks will be happy to guide
