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Stop Causing your Hair Loss! Everyday Mistakes I Corrected to Promote Long, Strong, Thicker Hair!


Does your hair contribute to your confidence? For me, yes. I love having long, full hair. I have always been overly concerned about my daily hair loss. My hair has been on the finer, thinner but still full. It is easily prone to breakage and tangles. I have researched this topic endlessly online with mixed advice which prompted my own medical research and thus this article. When you think of hair loss, what can be intervened upon or prevented? Let's talk about the major players that can contribute to hair loss: hormonal, medical (iron deficiency, medications induced), environmental (stress, rapid weight loss), genetics, and traction alopecia. First, let's talk about easy, intervenable causes of hair loss: traction alopecia, harsh water, and hair products. What if pulling on your hair, tight ponytails, and aggressively brushing your hair is causing your hair loss?

A hair only grows ~1/2 inch a month. That hair you are yanking out with brushing may that two years to grow back!


TL:DR. Wide tooth Comb. Detangling brush. Braid hair. Silk pillowcase. Shower Filter. Rotate through shampoos. Deep conditioner 1x/week. Nutrafol. AG1. Pumpkin Supplements. Collagen supplement.


GET A SHOWER FILTER. I have tried at least 4 different shower filters. I think this one is the best: The Canopy. It is expensive but worth it to me. It preserves (and even increased) my water pressure which is unique for a shower filter. It has made my hair and skin less dry and softer. I have noticed much less hair loss with this. I previously used the Jolie shower head. Many swear by the Jolie as well. I found the water pressure was markedly decreased with the Jolie.


USE A WIDE TOOTH COMB & WET BRUSH. Take your time. Comb gently wet hair. Gentle brush hair 1x/day. I have spent over $200 on a single brush before that promised me detangling powers. No brush is ever worth that much. This is what I use now (for fine hair) after I comb my hair.


ROTATE THROUGH SHAMPOOS & CONDITIONERS + CLARIFYING SHAMPOO + DEEP CONDITIONER. I rotate through 3-4 shampoos and end up using the same one every 3-4 days. I wash my hair everyday (this may trigger some-I know this is not typical. My hair tangles and very oily). I try to do a clarifying wash 1/week. I use a deep conditioner once/week.  I tried all the expensive deep conditioners- ie K18, Olaplex, Kerastase. I did not like any of them. I deep condition 1x week. My favorite deep space conditioner is pure coconut oil + rosemary oil for the scalp (this rosemary oil is very fragrant, but the one I am using). I also use a prepared argan oil conditioner and a coconut oil conditioner.

Product buildup can act like a glue on your strands causing it to tangle.

SATIN PILLOW CASE Satin pillowcase takes some getting use to. However, it has worked wonders on my face and hair.


GENTLE LOVE FOR YOU HAIR. Avoid aggressive heat or styling. Avoid aggresive bleaching. I highlighted my brunette hair a few years ago. I went too light too fast. I loved the look, but it damaged my care.


TRACTION ALOPECIA. I tend to play with my hair when I am studying or working. This can lead to unintentional hair loss from traction. I now wear my hair in a loose braid to prevent it. I am extra careful detangling my hair and styling it when it is wet. I have long hair past my bra strap. I find overly brushing it can lead to hair loss. I also try to avoid tight buns. This can also lead to traction alopecia and breakage (especially around the face).


Now let's talk about the science proven causes of hair loss.


Hormonal

You have probably heard about hair loss after stopping birth control or after pregnancy. On that same note, increased DHTs (androgens from testosterone and progesterone) can also lead to increased hair shedding. I had previously taken birth control pills for many years. I experienced increased hair loss when I stopped my oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). The extra hair shedding normalized after a month or so.


DHT Blockers

DHT (which results from the conversion of testosterone) can increase hair loss. Thus, DHT blockers can stop hair loss.

Natural DHT blockers can include pumpkin seeds, green tea, onions, edamame, rosemary oil.

I take a pumpkin supplement daily and use rosemary oil on my scalp. Let's break down the common medications that promote hair loss. My take: I prefer to ingest the least amount of medications as possible (unless I absolutely have to take them). I think we often learn about side effects years and even decades later when we have more evidence to suggest correlation.

  • Minoxidil increases blood flow to the scalp. I have tried the minoxidil topical solution with foam and liquid in the past. Both preparations are alcohol based. I found them to be drying and irritating to my scalp. Minoxidil orally is more efficacious than the topical solution.

  • Finasteride blocks DHT. Minoxidil and finasteride both have side effect.

  • Minoxidil and finasteride oral preparations are more efficacious and are both best prescribed by a dermatologist as they frequently prescribe these medications and know the side effects. I prefer less medications in my body. Both of these medications have side effects. Thus, I opted out of these and prefer the natural blockers as above.

  • Oral contraceptive pills- Birth control pills decrease androgrens which can decrease hair loss (and also the reason it clear ups acne). Long term OCP use is another complex discussion.


Hyperthyroidism

This can easily be checked with a TSH and T4 labs by your doctor.


Iron deficiency anemia

This can also be easily checked with complete blood count and further iron studies if CBC is abnormal.


Malnutrition, chronic medical issues, recent surgeries, rapid weight loss (increased cortisol)

Genetics (this can be related to hormone levels)

Stress & Healthy Lifestyle

The power of a healthy lifestyle is way underrated when it comes to weight loss. Decreasing cortisol (stress hormone) can be very helfulp.

Managing stress, drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily, decreasing sugar and alcohol intake, sleeping 8 hours a night, daily exercise, and eating a nutritious diet is of upmost importance.

Lastly, these are the supplements I use and recommend.




VIVISCAL: I initially bought the medical strength Viviscal hair growth supplements for women. I then bought the over the counter version. I didn't notice a difference in the two. I took it pretty consistently for 2 years. I did experience fuller hair with it (I was using many other products as well, but I do believe some of the fuller hair was contributed to viviscal). The ingredients include horsetail extract, marine collage, biotin, zinc. I experienced cystic acne while taking Viviscal (I have always been prone to cystic acne). Unfortunately, my acne would clear up when I stopped taking the supplement. The taste of the viviscal pills is not great, but I adapted. I sadly stopped because of the acne, but each person is different.


NUTRAFOL: After stopping viviscal, I turned to Nutrafol daily supplements. I have been taking these on and off for two years. I only take 2 pills daily instead of 4. I did not experience acne with Nutrafol unless I combine it will a daily vitamin (I think too much biotin contributed to my acne in this case). I also bought the Nutrafol collagen powder as well. I ended up having to ditch the powder. I had trouble diluting the powder (I tried hot tea/coffee, milk, orange juice, smoothies). I did not like the taste or texture. I now use the Collagen Peptides Capsule. Nutrafol is all over the internet. What they don't tell you: it takes bad, and it will make your urine smell horrible. Overall, I still recommend.


AG1 ATHLETIC GREENS: This is also all over the internet. Overall, it took me awhile to adapt to the taste. I try to drink it in the mornings. It gives me energy (I presume the mushroom extract) and makes my hair and nails grow faster than ever before. My hair and nails grow extremely fast with AG1 (some say it is because of the zinc). My brother in law was struggling with male pattern balding and thinning. We recommended AG1. Within 6 months, his hair is looking fuller.


I would be cautious mixing Nutrafol and AG1 to not overdo the supplements. I try to rotate, so I don't take both most day.




Let's help others love their hair. What has worked well for your hair loss?

Xoxo, Vicariously Yours



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