Prevent hair loss: Eat a balanced diet, quit smoking, other tips for healthy hair

The causes of hair loss are diverse, ranging from genetic predisposition to environmental factors, hormonal imbalances, and medical conditions. (Image: Canva)

Hair loss is a pervasive issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It can be a source of significant emotional distress, impacting self-esteem and confidence. Also known as alopecia, it has many causes. Many people lose hair on just their scalp, but some people with alopecia also lose hair on their faces or other parts of their bodies. It can take several different patterns, including thinning, bald patches, and loosening or coming out in handfuls.

The causes of hair loss are diverse, ranging from genetic predisposition to environmental factors, hormonal imbalances, and medical conditions. Excessive hair loss can be caused by ageing, chemotherapy, hair trauma from wearing tight hairstyles, thyroid problems, baldness due to genetic and hormonal factors, poor nutrition due to low iron or protein levels, sudden changes in weight, stress, side effects of certain medications like depression and heart disease, and skin conditions like psoriasis. Some amount of hair thinning is normal for everyone.

Hair loss occurs when new hair doesn’t grow fast enough to replace the amount of hair that falls out daily. If you’re experiencing rapid hair loss and want to remedy the situation, there are several ways to encourage new hair growth or make your hair strands stronger and healthier. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for hair loss, numerous approaches can help manage and potentially reverse it. These include lifestyle modifications, medical treatments, and hair restoration procedures.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, you can’t prevent all types of hair loss, but you can take steps to help keep your hair healthy and minimise loss. To help prevent hair loss:

• Eat a healthy diet that includes enough calories, protein, and iron.
• Find ways to cope with stress.
• Manage thyroid disease or other medical conditions that could result in hair loss.
• Avoid hairstyles that pull hair tightly.
• During chemotherapy treatment, try a cooling cap.

• Scalp massages: Receiving a scalp massage for four minutes every day helps generate hair growth or a slowing down of hair loss. To enhance your scalp massage, use lavender or peppermint oils. Peppermint oil can enhance hair growth with few negative side effects. The same can be said for lavender oil. Plus, both are known for their soothing effect and help as stress busters in aromatherapy.
• Giving up smoking: One of the negative side effects of smoking cigarettes is hair loss. Some of the toxins in cigarettes can damage your hair follicles. Smoking also affects hormones, and hormonal imbalance is one possible cause of hair loss.
• When to see a doctor: Talk to your doctor if you find your hair loss distressing. You should also talk to your doctor if you notice sudden and significant hair loss, as it can be a sign of an underlying condition.

Disclaimer: This article only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for a specific health diagnosis.