Top 7 Hair Care Routines to Reduce Hair Loss and Increase Hair Growth

Hair loss is no laughing matter for those who experience it.

Contrary to much popular myth, it isn’t “just one of those things” that you need to live with. There are hair loss treatments that can be effective in reducing the rate of loss and stimulating hair growth.

In passing, this is by no means a male-only problem.

Here are the top 7 things you can do to practically stimulate hair growth and reduce your rate of hair loss.

1. Consult an expert

It’s amazing and sometimes a little depressing, to see how people suffering from hair loss will often believe old wives’ tales, urban myths and even downright quackery, relating to thinning hair. Doing so often results in total inaction or the application of treatments that, frankly, have zero chance of success.

Be clear, there are no longer any great ‘mysteries’ surrounding hair loss and hair loss solutions/treatments. True, some scientific hair thinning treatments may be more effective than others for a given case but you’re unlikely to know both the causes and potential treatments unless you consult a specialist.

So, disregard the old tales and consult with a qualified expert.

2. Stop doing hair-harmful things

Just like in almost all health domains, prevention is always better than cure.

There are numerous practices that can weaken your hair and make it more likely to fall out, recede or simply thin. These are too many to mention in a brief article but tops tips include:

• don’t pull your hair absent-mindedly out of habit;
• avoid using highly damaging hair products. Although there is some debate on the specifics, most experts argue that some hair dying products, very strong shampoos, hot combing, over-hot drying and chemical or heat-based hair straightening can all have a detrimental effect;
• the excessive use of hair bands and turbans are cited by some experts as potential causes;
• there is some evidence that smoking may play a part in some hair loss conditions.

3. Keep your vitamin levels up

There is some evidence that lower levels of vitamins in the body, even if not low enough to be an overall health hazard, may affect the health of your hair and lead to thinning and hair loss.

Get a check, eat healthily and if necessary, take some supplements based on medical advice.

4. Keep your protein levels up

It is now widely recognised that lower protein intake may have a detrimental effect on your hair and lead to alopecia (hair loss/baldness).

Natural under-consumption of proteins is moderately unusual in modern Western societies but it can happen in cases of high poverty, with highly unusual dietary regimes and sometimes, through poorly-practised veganism or vegetarianism.

If you’re in doubt, your doctor can check this for you.

5. Eat healthily

It’s worth mentioning separately to the above two points that some studies have shown a clear link between a “Mediterranean diet” and reduced hair thinning and loss.

The exact mechanics behind this are not fully understood but such a diet is usually higher in fish, fruit and vegetables than diets with their origin in Northern European cultures.

6. Take time washing your hair and massage your scalp

For most people, at least Monday-Friday, a hair wash is a frantic rush in the shower before work or after sport etc.

However, studies have shown that massaging the scalp steadily for at least 4 minutes can stimulate hair growth.

7. Take hair loss medication

There are now approved medications with proven effects.

However, keep in mind that the medication you take or use needs to be appropriate for your hair and the causes of the problem.

This takes us back to the need to consult an expert!