Perhaps your part looks a bit wider than usual or your temples are more visible than before.
Our hair replaces itself continually throughout life, but sudden or significant hair loss calls for a closer look.
Hair loss has many causes, ranging from:
- Genetics, which cause the pattern hair loss familiar to many
- Clinical causes, both physical and emotional
- Lifestyle causes, from harsh at-home treatments to proper nutrition
Before you purchase or reach for another over-the-counter product that promises miracles, be sure your current hair-care routine isn’t the culprit.
“Hair loss can often be attributed to the use of appliances and chemical products used to style hair,” said Susan Dorsey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Carilion Clinic. “When you notice your hair thinning, it’s better to improve your hair-care routine than to expand it.”
Instead, take steps to care for your hair—and the rest of your body—with some do’s and don’ts from the American Association of Dermatology (AAD).
Caring for Your Hair
Fragile Hair Do’s
Start by protecting the hair you still have. Dr. Dorsey recommends the following AAD guidelines to protect fragile hair from further damage:
- Carefully wash your hair using a gentle shampoo that doesn’t strip moisture from your hair.
- Follow with a moisturizing conditioner to coat strands and reduce breakage and split ends.
- Add a leave-in conditioner or detangler to reduce breakage, split ends and frizz.
- Wrap wet hair in a microfiber towel to reduce the need for blow-drying.
- Brush or comb your hair gently. Tugging on your hair can lead to hair loss.
Fragile Hair Don’ts
Dr. Dorsey also recommends avoiding certain common hair-care routines to prevent additional hair thinning or loss:
- Forgo hot-oil treatments; heating hair further damages fragile hair.
- Stop at-home hair coloring and other chemical treatments; seek a salon that specializes in coloring, perming, chemical straightening or relaxing so experienced professionals can monitor your scalp and hair for changes.
- Limit heat; use the lowest heat setting on your blow dryer and minimize the use of curling irons, flat irons and hot combs.
- Avoid tight hair styles; regularly pulling your hair back for buns, ponytails, cornrows or braids can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia.
Caring for Your Body
A healthy hair-care routine can only do so much.
“Be sure your diet is giving you the nutrients you need for healthy hair,” said Dr. Dorsey.
She went on to note that hair loss has also been linked to an excess of certain nutrients.
“You want enough iron, protein and zinc,” she said, “but not too much of vitamin A and E.”
Dr. Dorsey’s advice: a healthy diet developed in consultation with your primary care physician.
“Your overall well-being is as essential to healthy hair as it is to your internal organs,” she said.
Self-care at home includes:
- Adopting a healthy diet
- Selecting supplements carefully; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are sold.
- Quitting smoking; the inflammation it causes throughout the body can worsen hair loss.
Taking these steps may help reduce hair loss or even help it grow back on its own.
When To Seek Medical Care
Your hair may regrow on its own if you recently:
- Had a baby
- Completed cancer treatment
- Lost 20 pounds or more
- Recovered from a serious illness
- Went through surgery
If those don’t explain your hair loss, or your at-home strategies don’t help, it’s time to seek clinical care for your hair.
Start with your primary care physician. They can test for underlying medical causes that may contribute to hair loss. They can also help you with diet and other lifestyle changes and, if needed, they can also refer you to a board-certified dermatologist.
“A dermatologist is trained to diagnose conditions that affect our skin, hair and nails,” said Susan Dorsey, M.D., Carilion dermatologist. “We can evaluate hair loss and provide effective treatments, reducing risk of permanent loss.”
By seeing a board-certified dermatologist, you can receive treatment tailored to your specific skin and hair care needs.
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Learn more about Carilion Clinic Dermatology and Mohs Surgery clinicians and locations.
Visit Carilion Clinic Dermatology Aesthetics or call master aesthetician Susan Gaylor at 540-345-6010 to find out about the benefits of Nutrafol, our newest physician-formulated hair growth supplements and hair care products.
