Since 80% of men and 55% of women experience hair loss during their lifetime [1][2], many people go to great lengths to get healthy hair and keep it that way for as long as possible. Shiny, soft, full hair is an asset for both genders and can be an important source of self-confidence. This article will provide you with the best and easiest tips on how to keep your hair in tip-top shape, such as:
You can easily assess the state of your hair by the way it looks and feels to the touch. Here are some good guidelines to tell well-maintained locks apart from dry, brittle hair [3]:
It is a common myth that washing your hair every day will make it fall out. In fact, the opposite may be true. A 2021 study performed on 1500 people of both genders found that cleaning your hair 5-6 times a week can make your strands healthier. That is because it reduces scalp dryness and dandruff and makes your hair stronger, less brittle and less greasy [4].
However, be sure to use a gentle shampoo and always remember to condition your hair after a wash. This helps keep your hair moisturised and replaces the natural oils that may have been stripped off in the cleaning process.
After washing your hair, pat it gently with a towel (don’t rub it forcefully) and let it air dry. Brushing should always be done once your hair is fully dry, as wet hair is harder to detangle and breaks more easily when stretched.
Well-hydrated, nourished hair is shiny, healthy and happy. And you can keep it that way by using natural remedies such as essential oils for hair growth. The fatty acids they contain can moisturise your hair, and their antioxidants protect your strands from oxidative stress.
Moreover, some of these oils can also help treat certain kinds of hair loss. Rosemary oil for hair growth has been proven to be as effective as Minoxidil 2% in curbing androgenetic alopecia [5].
Pumpkin seed oil for hair also has proven properties in treating male and female pattern baldness [6]. And black seed oil can improve telogen effluvium [7] and reduce scalp inflammation.
Peppermint oil for hair has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and can cool and soothe your scalp thanks to its menthol [8]. Lavender oil is great for aromatherapy and can reduce stress, leading to less anxiety-induced hair loss [9].
Applying high heat to your hair can crack its cuticles, dry it out, and damage its internal structure. If your strands are damp while styling them, their shafts can develop air bubbles, which make them brittle and easy to snap [10]. It can be very difficult to fix heat-damaged hair, so it’s best to keep the styling temperature to a minimum.
Fortunately, many ways to style your hair do not involve heat. You can use traditional hair rollers and heatless curling headbands, or go the old-fashioned route and braid your hair overnight to get bouncy waves or curls. Natural hair relaxers (e.g. products made with enzymes from pineapple or papaya) can also help you get straighter locks.
Finally, you can save your hair a lot of damage by letting it air dry or using the cool setting on your blowdryer, as higher temperatures can harm your cuticles [11].
Colouring your hair often can be fun and keep things fresh. However, using bleach or hair dye can lead to hair loss. That is because dyes contain substances such as hydrogen peroxide or ammonia, which harm your hair. These harsh chemicals penetrate the hair shaft, damaging its inner structure and leaving it dry and brittle [1].
However, there are ways to colour your hair without worrying you may need treatment for hair that feels like straw. You can use semi-permanent hair dye, which is less damaging to your hair than the permanent variety. Or you can opt for a natural pigment, such as henna.
Finally, you should know that treatments meant to alter your hair structure (such as perms, relaxers and rebondings) can also damage your strands if used frequently [12]. So be sure to give your hair time to heal between treatments or try natural options instead.
Scalp massages for hair growth are not only relaxing, they can also provide benefits for your hair health. Rubbing your scalp by hand or with a special device can improve blood flow to your hair follicles, ensuring that they get all the nutrients and oxygen they need for healthy hair growth.
Moreover, studies show that stretching your scalp may activate some of the genes involved in hair production. Some researchers found that only a few minutes of using an electric massager on your head every day can bring about a significant increase in hair thickness after 6 months [13].
The relaxation offered by a satisfying head massage is not just a bonus. One study showed that receiving a bi-weekly scalp massage can lower your stress hormones, reduce your blood pressure and heart rate and improve stress-induced hair loss in only 10 weeks [14].
Alopecia can sometimes sneak up slowly on you, and it can be easy to miss the first signs of hair thinning and balding. However, it may be time to see a hair specialist if:
The sooner you do so, the better chance you have to treat and reverse your hair loss.
A trichologist can examine your hair and perform diagnostic tests, such as a dermoscopy or a scalp biopsy, to correctly identify the reason your hair is falling out. If they determine you are experiencing a type of hair loss that requires treatment, they will recommend the best option for you.
If you have caught your alopecia early, they may prescribe effective hair growth medication, such as Minoxidil or Finasteride. However, if your condition is more advanced, they may recommend a hair transplant. While surgical treatment options can sound daunting, this could solve your hair problems once and for all, as hair transplants are permanent.
As you go about your busy life, it’s easy to put off treating common scalp problems that seem like minor annoyances. Yeast infections on the scalp, such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis are among the most frequently overlooked. However, getting used to an itchy, tender and inflamed scalp is not a good idea.
Conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczema or scalp psoriasis manifest with scalp inflammation that can cause hair loss. Moreover, they make your head itchy and repeated, forceful scratching can lead to hair breakage and infection. Scalp infections should be taken seriously because if they are left untreated and progress, they can cause serious health problems, as well as scarring alopecia.
So if you notice any redness, inflammation or lesions on your head or develop a tender, itchy scalp, it is a good idea to see your GP or a dermatologist. It often only takes a medicated hair product (e.g. Nizoral shampoo), a steroid cream or some antifungal medications to make you feel much better and keep your scalp and hair healthy.
Being out in the sun can help us get much-needed Vitamin D for our hair. However, you should know that lengthy direct exposure to sunlight is not good for hair. Spending long periods of time outside on hot days can dry out your hair and make it dull and brittle.
If you want your hair to enjoy your summertime outdoor fun as much as you do, wear a wide-brimmed hat or a scarf that covers it. If you are at the beach, an umbrella can also offer good protection. Should you decide to go for a swim in the sea or a pool, be sure to wash your hair afterwards to remove leftover chlorine or sea salt that can dry out your tresses.
Many people on restrictive diets notice that their weight is not the only thing that changes. Sometimes, their hair texture modifies as well, making their hair duller and flatter. In some cases, sudden weight loss can also cause hair loss. That is because your hair needs a wide variety of nutrients to grow healthy and thrive.
A healthy hair diet includes vitamins (e.g. vitamins A, B, C, D), minerals (e.g. iron, zinc, copper, selenium, magnesium) and protein (e.g. keratin). Vitamin deficiencies can cause hair loss, as can other nutritional imbalances, such as iron deficiency anaemia, which can affect your hair texture.
And while some of the diffuse hair thinning caused by nutrient deficiencies can be reversed by supplementation, there is no guarantee this will happen in every case. So it is a good idea to eat well-balanced meals that contain all food groups in healthy portions.
Finally, your hair health does not only depend on what you eat but also on what you drink. The NHS recommends that you drink about 6-8 cups of water every day (and more on hot days or after intense physical effort) [15]. And it is also a good idea to avoid excess consumption of dehydrating beverages such as alcohol or sugary soft drinks.
PRP hair treatments can stimulate your follicles for hair growth. PRP therapy involves drawing a small amount of blood from your arm and separating the platelet-rich plasma from the other blood components. This plasma is then injected into the more problematic areas of your scalp, where your hair may be thinning.
PRP contains numerous growth factors which help repair damage to your follicles and foster hair regeneration. This simple treatment is very successful — 84% of patients across six studies reported positive results when it comes to hair density, thickness and count [16].
To get all the benefits of PRP treatment, you normally need to get injections every 2-4 weeks over the course of 3-6 months, depending on your hair condition and the expected results. This treatment can help treat both female and male pattern baldness, but it can also be successfully used alongside other therapies to treat alopecia areata and even some types of scarring alopecias [16].
Stress significantly negatively impacts your physical and mental well-being — and your hair health is not spared. If you have noticed excessive hair shedding during times of significant psychological turmoil or after an illness or surgery, you may have developed telogen effluvium [17]. This condition typically develops 2-3 months after a highly stressful event and manifests with diffuse hair thinning and, occasionally, burning scalp syndrome.
Fortunately, if you lower your stress levels, telogen effluvium resolves itself with no treatment in 3-4 months. So, if you want to prevent stress-induced hair loss, it is a good idea to engage in relaxing activities, such as exercise, meditation, active hobbies, walks in nature, or spending quality time with your loved ones. If you are having difficulties calming your anxiety, therapy can also help.
Many iconic hairstyles involve braiding or tying your hair. However, wearing tight hairstyles for prolonged periods can put pressure on your hair follicles, damaging them over time. When this damage becomes extensive, it can interfere with hair growth, leading to a condition called traction alopecia [18]. This is why braids, top knots and ponytails can cause hair loss around your hairline and temples.
Fortunately, most forms of traction alopecia resolve on their own in a few months, provided that you stop wearing tight hairstyles during this time. However, on rare occasions, some people experience advanced traction alopecia, which can require Minoxidil treatment or even a natural-looking hair transplant to regrow their hair.
There is an abundance of scientific information about the many kinds of health harm smoking can cause. However, few people know that smoking can also cause hair loss. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which means it can shrink the small blood vessels in your scalp, reducing blood flow to your hair follicles [19].
Moreover, smoking can also cause inflammation in your body, leading to flare-ups of autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata [20] or scalp psoriasis. Some studies also show nicotine use can trigger premature androgenetic alopecia or accentuate hair loss in people who are already experiencing this condition [21].
The ends of your hair can split naturally with everyday wear and tear. However, if your hair is dry and damaged, this splitting can become severe, causing damage higher up the hair shaft. Split ends make your hair frizzy, unsightly and difficult to style — so it’s usually obvious when you have split ends vs healthy hair.
Getting your ends trimmed every 6-8 weeks can keep your hair healthy. If you would rather not reduce its length, you can opt to get rid of split ends through the dusting technique. It is more painstaking, but it effectively removes only the fly-offs that have separated from your hair shafts.
On rare occasions, systemic illness can cause hair thinning or changes in its appearance or texture. For example, thyroid conditions can cause hair loss, increase dryness, and make your hair coarser or finer than normal [22]. Iron deficiency anaemia can have the same effect [23].
Seeing your GP regularly, getting an annual checkup and investigating any persisting symptoms of illness in a timely fashion can significantly benefit your overall health. At the same time, it can help keep your hair in good shape. If you suspect a systemic physical condition or nutritional deficiency is at the root of your hair problems, you can also get specific blood tests for hair loss.
Men and women alike can benefit from these science-backed ways to improve your hair health. That is because, from a structural point of view, both genders have very similar hair properties.
While hair loss is more common in men than in women, the steps they need to take to ensure their hair is nourished, well cared for, and protected from damage are largely the same. If you are a man reading this article, the recommendations provided here should also help you repair your damaged hair and keep it healthy for longer.
Doing everything you can to care for your hair adequately and keep it healthy can prevent certain kinds of hair shedding, such as mechanical hair breakage, traction alopecia, or telogen effluvium. Some lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, can also delay the onset or reduce the symptoms of other kinds of hair loss, such as male or female pattern baldness.
However, if you have a genetic or autoimmune type of alopecia, you may need medical treatment to effectively curb and reverse it. If it is too advanced or resistant to treatment, a hair transplant may be the only way to regain your full head of hair. However, healthy hair habits can often help avoid unnecessary hair loss that can add to the balding caused by your alopecia.
If you are looking for personalised advice on how to keep your hair healthy according to its type and condition, we’re here to help. Book a consultation now with one of our top trichologists, and they will design a custom-tailored hair care routine just for you.
Our hair specialists will perform all the necessary trichology diagnostic tests and ask about your health history and the hair difficulties you have been having. They will then work with you to determine the most effective and convenient ways to make your hair radiant with beauty and good health again.
See the answers to the following frequently asked questions to find out more about the best, scientifically proven ways to get healthy hair:
Brushing your hair regularly can keep it clean, neat and healthy as long as you do it right. Always brush your hair when it is completely dry, and start by gently untangling its knots. While this process can be painful and frustrating, avoid pulling violently on the tangles, as they will break off.
Once your hair is smooth, brush it with slow, patient strokes. Brushing fast and hard can cause friction, making your strands split or snap off. While it is OK to brush 2-3 times a day, overdoing this process can also apply undue pressure to your hair, so it is best to do so moderately.
How coarse your hair is can depend on factors such as your genes, age and ethnicity. For example, Afro hair is usually coarser than Caucasian hair. However, if your hair texture changes abruptly and becomes rougher, it may be dry or damaged. If you are concerned about the coarseness of your strands, it is best to see a trichologist about it.
Hot water won’t necessarily damage your hair, but it can scald your scalp if the temperature is too high. It is best to use warm water that feels pleasant on your skin. Keep in mind that your scalp can be more sensitive to heat, so cool down the water a bit if you experience any thermal discomfort when washing your hair.
There is no one-size-fits-all ideal hair care routine; it generally depends on your hair type and condition, as well as on your personal characteristics and preferences.
However, as a rule of thumb, it is healthy to wash and condition your hair several times a week and protect it from heat, chemical, and mechanical damage. A trichologist or hair stylist can provide personalised solutions if you need more detailed advice.
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