How to Prevent Hair Loss: In Men and Women, After Pregnancy, During Chemo, And At-Home Remedies
Each strand of hair on the head has a lifespan of approximately 3 to 5 years. Hair follicles have a cycle of active growth, transition, and rest. Hair loss occurs when the growth cycle of your hair is disrupted. Hair loss is mostly caused by your genetics and becomes more common in women and men agewise. The second most common cause is telogen effluvium. This condition occurs when more of your hair enters a resting cycle during which it falls out. Telogen effluvium can be caused by: stress pregnancy side effects of drugs other underlying medical conditions If you are experiencing hair loss that results in baldness, patchiness, or loss of large clumps of hair, you should see your primary care physician or dermatologist for a diagnosis. Whether your hair loss is the result of a chronic or short-term medical condition, you can take steps to protect the hair you do have. Keep reading for tips on how to keep your hair healthy and strong.
How to prevent hair loss and improve hair health
You can follow some hair hygiene tips to improve your overall hair health and possibly prevent hair loss.
1. Avoid hairstyles that pull on the hair
Hair is flexible, but research shows that your hair can only be stretched so much before it becomes permanently damaged. Hairstyles such as curls, tight braids, and ponytails can pull the hair away from the scalp and loosen the bond between the hair and the scalp over time.
2. Avoid high-heat hair styling tools
Using heat to style your hair leaves your hair follicles dehydrated and prone to damage. Hair dryers, flat irons, and curling irons can damage your hair over time by causing the moisture in your hair to expand.
3. Don’t chemically treat or bleach your hair
Chemically treating hair with methods such as bleaching damages hair by breaking down protein molecules called keratin. If you are concerned about hair loss, limit the use of dyes, highlights, peroxide treatments, and perms.
4. Use a shampoo that’s mild and suited for your hair
The purpose of shampoo is to clean the hair's excess oil and dirt. Excessive shampooing can potentially damage your hair. Sulfates and some other ingredients have been linked to frizz, dry scalp, and brittle hair. There is no evidence that any specific ingredients in shampoo cause hair loss, but they could contribute to less-than-ideal hair health. If you notice that your hair is too dry or frizzy, try a shampoo that is as close to natural as possible. Most hair loss shampoos cost less than $30 and are not covered by insurance.
5. Use a soft brush made from natural fibers
Using a soft brush with natural bristles can potentially promote healthy sebum levels in the hair. The keratin proteins in your hair are stacked like shingles on a roof, so brushing gently in one direction, starting at the top and working your way down to the ends, may help smooth and condition the hair cuticle. Brushing your hair daily will also help you avoid seeing clumps of hair in your shower drain.
6. Try low-level light therapy
Low-level light therapy promotes cell growth and repair. It is a potentially effective treatment for male and female pattern baldness, the most common cause of hair loss in men and women. These genetic conditions cause a pattern of hair loss. In men, it starts at the receding hairline or baldness on the scalp. In women, it is characterized by overall thinning, which often causes a wider part. The authors of a 2020 review of studies recommend caution when interpreting the research behind low-level light therapy for hair loss, as some studies have conflicting interests. Light therapy can be expensive and not covered by insurance. One clinic in Beverly Hills estimates the annual cost at $3,500 to $5,000.
How to prevent hair loss in women
Hair loss in women is usually caused by:
Genetic female pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia)
Thyroid disease
Aging
Other hormonal conditions
About half of women experience some degree of female pattern hair loss before age 79. If your hair is falling out, your doctor may recommend some ways to prevent further hair loss.
Rogaine (minoxidil)
Aldactone (spironolactone) or other antiandrogen drugs
Oral contraceptives
Iron supplements, especially if your hair loss is associated with anemia or heavy menstrual cycles
Women who have reached menopause can also consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as a way to treat their hair loss and other symptoms. HRT is often covered by insurance. One clinic in California estimates that HRT costs about $10 to $85 a month without insurance.
How to prevent male hair loss
Hair loss is more common in men than in women. According to the American Hair Loss Association, about 85 percent of men experience thinning hair by the time they reach age 50. Male pattern baldness is usually caused by genetic male pattern hair loss. If you are concerned about hair loss, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Rogaine (minoxidil)
Propecia or Proscar (finasteride)
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT), hair transplantation with underlying tissue
Follicular unit extraction (FUE), hair transplantation with follicles only, without connective tissue
Hair transplants can be expensive and not covered by insurance. Depending on the type and extent of the procedure, it can cost $4,000 to $10,000. Your insurance will also not cover minoxidil or finasteride for hair loss. A 3-month supply of Rogaine costs about $45, but generic minoxidil can be cheaper. You can find a 1-month supply of finasteride by prescription for $10 or less.
Home remedies for hair loss
If you are concerned about hair loss, you may want to try a home remedy to see if you can stop the hair loss. It is important to get diagnosed and find the underlying cause of your hair loss so that you can treat it appropriately.
Supplements
Many vitamins and minerals are needed for proper hair development and growth. Certain nutritional deficiencies can potentially lead to hair loss.
Supplementing with vitamin D can help reduce symptoms of genetic hair loss or telogen effluvium. However, more research is needed to definitively understand this connection. Iron supplementation can help reduce symptoms in people who are iron deficient. People with low iron levels may also benefit from vitamin C supplementation if they are not getting enough.
Research has also found a link between low vitamin D levels and alopecia areata, an irregular form of hair loss caused by an autoimmune reaction. It is recommended that people with this condition take vitamin D supplements if they are deficient.
There is currently insufficient evidence that supplementation with the following can help with hair loss:
Zinc
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Ffolic acid (vitamin B9)
Vitamin B12
Biotin
Vitamin E
Some small studies have found that too much vitamin A or selenium can cause hair loss, but more research is needed. Researchers continue to investigate whether iron or zinc supplements benefit people with alopecia areata.
Remember to only buy supplements from trusted sources as they are not vetted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Essential oils
Essential oils are natural extracts produced by plants. Some essential oils may have properties that stimulate hair growth. Right now, the evidence is almost entirely anecdotal, and no studies have found enough evidence to suggest that any essential oil can be used to treat hair loss in humans.
Most of the studies to date have very small samples, are of poor quality, or have been conducted on animals. For example, a 2016 study found evidence that lavender oil can stimulate hair growth in mice. However, much more research needs to be done to see if these results translate to humans and if the oils can be used to treat hair loss conditions.
Essential oils that some people use for hair growth include:
Peppermint
Chinese hibiscus
Ginseng
Jatamansi
Lavender
Scalp massage
Scalp massage may help stimulate hair growth by promoting circulation and gene changes, but there is very limited evidence at this time. A very small study from 2016 found evidence that 4-minute daily massages of the scalp increased hair thickness in nine non-balding Japanese men. But, there was no control group in this study.
Massaging your scalp generally feels good, so even if it isn't effective at increasing hair growth, you can relax it.
Diet
Your diet can affect hair loss. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help fight signs of oxidative stress—environmental factors that damage hair follicles and contribute to hair loss. Many fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, blueberries, beans and legumes, spinach, and kale, are great sources of antioxidants.
Sugar, processed fats, preservatives, and alcohol can all contribute to oxidative stress. Keep this in mind if you want to prevent hair loss.
Stop smoking
Smoking can damage your hair cells, making your hair follicles fragile and easily damaged. Studies link smoking to increased rates of premature graying and hair loss. Quitting smoking can be difficult, but your doctor can help you come up with a smoking cessation plan that's right for you.
How to prevent hair loss after pregnancy
Many women experience dehydration, fatigue, stress, and declining estrogen levels as their bodies adjust to life after pregnancy. These factors can lead to increased hair loss. Part of this hair loss is often related to the stress and exhaustion of childbirth. This condition is temporary and should disappear within a year after the termination of pregnancy.
You can try to minimize hair loss after pregnancy by continuing to take prenatal vitamins, if you breastfeeding, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding tight hairstyles that pull hair away from the scalp. Dermatologists recommend using light shampoos and conditioners—and seeing a stylist make hair loss less obvious—until your hair loss slows down.
How to prevent hair loss during chemo
Chemotherapy attacks cancer cells in your body. As a side effect of chemotherapy, it kills the cells that cause hair to grow. Hair usually begins to fall out within 2 to 4 weeks of treatment.
Some people prepare for this side effect by shaving their hair before starting treatment. Many people are comfortable with this option. But not everyone who undergoes chemotherapy will lose all their hair as a result. Sometimes the hair thins or recedes.
You can also ask your doctor about scalp-cooling treatments. These treatments, which include a cooling scalp cap, slow blood flow to the scalp during the treatment. Although not completely effective, cooling your scalp can help you retain more hair. The average price is about $1,500 to $3,000. You may be able to get insurance to cover scalp cooling, but coverage is not currently standard in the United States.
What causes hair loss?
Hair loss can be a result of genetic factors, changes in hormone levels, and certain medical conditions. Genetic hair loss is by far the most common cause, affecting up to 50% of women and men.
Other causes of hair loss include:
Recent birth
Chemotherapy
Alopecia areata
Traction alopecia, hair loss from pulling
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Scalp infection
Side effects of drugs
Scalp psoriasis
Alopecia areata
Syphilis
Thyroid disease
Nutrient deficiencies
Frequently asked questions about hair loss prevention
Here are answers to common hair loss questions.
Can I stop hair loss naturally?
If your hair loss is caused by your genetics, it is unlikely that you can reverse it. Treating thinning hair with minoxidil can help slow hair loss. Other causes of hair loss may be more treatable. Hair loss due to alopecia areata, recent childbirth,h or cancer treatment will usually grow back eventually. Improving your diet or taking supplements can reverse hair loss if nutrient deficiencies are the underlying cause.
Can hair loss be prevented?
Some causes of hair loss, such as nutrient deficiencies, can be prevented with proper lifestyle habits. The development of some medical conditions, such as thyroid disease and cancer, may be at least partially out of your control, but treating the underlying medical condition can help reverse hair loss. Genetic hair loss is largely out of your control, but minoxidil and low-level laser therapy can help.
How do I know if my hair is falling out or not?
Hair loss can take many forms depending on the underlying cause. When brushing or washing, you may notice a widening part, a more visible scalp, or shedding of excess hair. You may also notice areas of the scalp where the hair is thinning or receding. In the case of alopecia areata, you may notice a coin-sized area of smooth bald scalp.
When to see a doctor
If you are concerned that your hair loss is beyond normal shedding or temporary telogen effluvium, you should talk to your doctor. Hair that comes out in clumps and leaves bald spots, and hair that grows in spots can be symptoms of an underlying health problem. Talk to a dermatologist or primary care doctor and describe your symptoms if you need further guidance.
Take away
Hair loss is common, especially in older adults. By far the most known cause of hair loss is genetics. Genetic hair loss is usually characterized by general thinning at the top of the scalp in women and receding hairline and baldness on the scalp in men.
Some treatments can stop hair loss and even help you regrow some of your hair. Home remedies, lifestyle and diet changes, and over-the-counter medications can improve the appearance of thinning hair.
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