How to stop my hair from falling out and thinning

If you’ve been stressing over the fact that you’re losing your hair, you should know that you’re not the only one.

Alopecia, often known as hair loss, is a widespread illness that affects more than 80 million people in the United States.

So how can you tell if you’re losing more than your usual amount of hair?

The majority of people shed roughly 100 individual hairs each and every day on average. The majority of people won’t even notice a difference because new strands are constantly forming to replace the ones that have been lost.

On the other hand, if you notice that your hairline is receding or that some sections of your head are becoming thinner, it’s possible that you have alopecia.

Dermatologist Wilma Bergfeld, MD, discusses potential causes of hair loss, potential treatments, and the question of whether or not hair loss can be restored.

How to stop losing hair

The loss of one’s hair not only has an effect on one’s looks, but it may also be emotionally taxing and have an effect on one’s self-confidence. However, there are a few things that you may do to assist prevent further hair loss.

1. Eat extra protein

It’s possible that you’re not receiving enough protein on a daily basis, which can stunt the growth of your hair.

It is possible that you need to increase the quantity of protein that you consume, particularly if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet.

According to Dr. Bergfeld, “you require between 40 and 60 grammes each day.” You don’t have to consume the protein in the form of food; you can get it in liquid form as well.

Consuming beans and legumes, eggs, and Greek yoghurt are some of the other foods that might help you meet your daily protein requirements.

2. Take vitamins

In order to determine whether or not you suffer from a vitamin deficiency, your doctor can put you through a number of different tests. The growth of your hair may be affected by a number of nutrients, including vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, as well as zinc and iron.

The supplement biotin forte with zinc, which aids in the maintenance of healthy hair, skin, and muscular tissue, has proven to be effective for Dr. Bergfeld’s patients in the past.

Saw palmetto, calcium, and selenium are all components of some of the newer formulations, according to Dr. Bergfeld. “Each of these is of high quality. Simply look for products that are manufactured by recognised companies.”

3. Follow the Mediterranean diet

Consuming fruits, vegetables, and proteins, which are the primary components of the Mediterranean diet, can be beneficial, particularly when compared to other diets that are currently popular.

“When you go on these restrictive diets, you may lose weight, but it’s probably not something you can maintain,” says Dr. Bergfeld. “When you go on these restrictive diets, you may lose weight.” “And more often than not, they are deficient in something that your hair follicles require.”

4. Use over-the-counter hair loss medication

Minoxidil is a drug that can be purchased over-the-counter that aids in the prevention of hair loss. You may have heard of it.

The drug, which can come in the form of a solution or foam that is applied to your scalp, has been granted approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States at a 5% strength.

Dr. Bergfeld notes that the team has been thinking about utilising low-dose minoxidil in oral form as a therapy option. There are a few research that support the notion that it is both beneficial and risk-free.

5 .Try low-level laser light therapy

This more recent method to promote hair growth has been granted approval by the FDA.

However, low-level laser light therapy devices, such as wands and helmets, can be time-consuming and costly, with alternatives ranging in price from $200 to $1,000.

According to Dr. Bergfeld, “it can reduce skin inflammation and promote hair growth.” [Citation needed] “There’s no question about that. There are no adverse drug interactions with this medication. You are completely devoid of any intolerance. The worst thing that can happen is a little bit of sunburn on the scalp, which can be treated by just applying lotion or even by simply lowering the amount of time spent in the sun.

6. Hair processing

Damage to the hair and scalp can also be caused by chemical treatments such as perms and hair colouring.

You should speak with your hairstylist about alternate options, such as organic hair dyes and others that do not contain ammonia, peroxide, or para-phenylenediamine (PPD).

7. Maintain good hair and scalp care

Steer clear of harsh treatments for your hair, including hair dye, heating equipment, and bleaching. Your hair can be damaged by a variety of hairstyles, including braids and tight ponytails. Washing your hair and scalp on a regular basis will help you maintain a healthy scalp.

According to Dr. Bergfeld, the hair development cycle can be disrupted by any inflammation that occurs on the scalp.

8. Gentle styling

Avoid wearing your hair in braids or ponytails that are too tight since they might tug on your hair at the root, which can cause excessive losing of hair.

In order to prevent your scalp from becoming irritated, you should allow your hair dry naturally. Heat stylers, such as curling or straightening irons, can also damage or break the hair shaft, thus it is best to avoid using them if at all possible.

9. Olive oil

Olive oil can be used as a deep conditioner for the hair, making it more resistant to dryness and the related breakage that comes with it. Olive oil is a fundamental component of the Mediterranean diet, which is thought to help decrease the rate of hair loss caused by genetics.

You might want to try putting a couple of teaspoons of olive oil directly to the hair, letting it sit for half an hour, and then rinsing it off with shampoo.

10. Coconut oil

Coconut oil may be able to protect hair against damage caused by both the act of grooming and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, according to the findings of a review of studies published in 2018.

The lauric acid that may be found in coconut oil plays a role in the binding of protein in hair, which helps to prevent it from breakage both at the root and along the strand. Applying coconut oil to the scalp and massaging it in could improve circulation, which would be beneficial for hair regeneration.