A dermatologist shares five ways to prevent stress-induced hair loss
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Despite popular opinion — and that most hair-loss products target males — hair loss is also prevalent in women. Just think of the last time you removed a hair tie, or washed your hair: Did more than a few stray strands end up on your palm?
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry, you’re far from alone. Over 50 million American men and women are dealing with hair loss.
“Stress levels are really high right now,” Dr. Henry explains to Yahoo Life. “And when you’re stressed, that means less hair on your head.”
Luckily, it’s usually not permanent, and there are plenty of ways to prevent and treat hair loss. In honor of August being National Hair Loss Awareness Month, Dr. Henry shares five of her tips.
Tip 1: Take time for your mental health
The last few months have been difficult for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect taking time to de-stress.
“I know it’s hard to get rid of stress completely,” Dr. Henry shares. “But you can try to manage it.”
She shared that by taking care of your mental well-being, you’re also helping take care of hair breakage and ultimately, hair loss.
Dr. Henry’s favorite way to de-stress? Meditation. “I’m a huge fan of the guided apps Headspace and Calm,” she shares.
Tip 2: Eat foods rich in healthy fats and Omega-3
One of the best ways to treat hair loss is going inside-out.
Foods laden with healthy fats, like salmon and avocado, contain nutrients that “really feed your hair and contribute to its luster and its beauty,” the dermatologist shares.
One of her favorite treats? Avocado toast with salmon!
Tip 3: Show your scalp love
You can’t have a healthy, full head of hair without giving your scalp some much-needed TLC.
“Scalp care is absolutely critical to have beautiful hair,” Dr. Henry notes. In fact, she says we need to pay as close attention to our scalp as we do our skin! One of her picks is the Nioxin Purifying Exfoliator.
“I recommend using this once a month to get rid of dirt, oil, debris and all those things that can cause inflammation and compromise our hair growth,” she shares.
The exfoliator helps get rid of flakes and feels really cooling on your scalp, too.
Tip 4: Maintain a consistent regimen
Sticking to a routine is key for battling hair loss. “When a lot of my patients start noticing hair loss, they stop washing their hair as frequently,” Dr. Henry shares. “The key is consistency.”
The dermatologist recommends choosing products that help promote hair density. The Nioxin three-step system does just that, and it includes a shampoo, conditioner and scalp treatment.
First, apply the shampoo to your locks. After rinsing it off, apply the conditioner from root to tip, and leave in for one to three minutes. Rinse. Finally, apply the treatment on the entire scalp. Don’t rinse it out!
Each step is made to help prevent hair loss, and you can customize the treatment based on your hair type and how much your thinning has progressed.
Tip 5: Consider at-home noninvasive devices
If you’re willing to spend a little more, a red light treatment might work for you. Dr. Henry has the iRestore at home, which is a helmet you place on your head which then releases noninflammatory red light to target and reduce scalp inflammation.
In-office treatments are also an option, like platelet-rich therapy. If you’re still unsure which treatment is best for you, ask your dermatologist — the doc will point you in the right direction, and you’ll have a full head of hair in no time.
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