Can you really reverse hair thinning?

Watching your hair fall out is probably one of the most anxiety-inducing sights in the world. Waking up to the design your hair has created on your pillow, watching them get entangled in your scrunchie as you pull your hair out of a ponytail or just running your hand through your hair and ending up with a few hundred strands in your palms. We’re all a little too familiar with this momentarily helpless feeling. 

The good news, though, is that we aren’t actually helpless. We can stop our hair from falling and even reverse all the damage that caused our volume to plummet. But before we tell you how, let’s deep dive into why—Why our hair is sometimes so hell-bent on leaving us? A little hint: it all starts with stress! 

Causes of hair thinning 

Stress
 
Okay, we understand how bizarre it sounds asking you to not stress. However, if you’re stressing about your increased hair fall or how your hair is losing volume, you must know, it’s a vicious circle. One that can only be broken when you stop worrying about it and take actionable steps to control and reverse it. It’s not just us saying that, it’s science. You see, the stress hormone—cortisol—that is released by our adrenal glands can completely shake your hair growth cycle. Also, too much stress can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium in which your hair follicles enter a long “resting” phase after hair fall. This hampers the growth of new hair leading to hair thinning.  

However, while stress is one of the primary sources of hair thinning, meditating or a day at the spa to get it under control won’t work if you also have underlying medical or genetic issues. But taking less stress is just a good way to live, don’t you think? 

Overtreating your hair 

You can’t expose your hair to constant colour, chemical treatments, and styling tools and expect them to still be picture-perfect. These hair treatments eventually dehydrate your hair, leaving you with arid, frizzy locks that are more prone to detaching from your head. Not to mention, overtreating your hair can also damage your scalp and disturb the growth of new hair. 

Genetics 

While it's largely true that patch baldness is only common in men, it doesn’t mean women can’t be genetically predisposed to losing hair. Androgenetic alopecia is one such condition that causes baldness in men and women. In fact, genetics are one of the most common causes of hair fall and hair thinning. 

Hormonal changes   

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that changes like pregnancy or menopause wreak havoc on our hair. They cause a fluctuation in oestrogen and progesterone hormones which can cause hair follicles to shrink. 

How to control hair thinning  

Exercise 

A regular exercise regime aids with most things, including reversing and controlling hair thinning and hair fall. Working out releases happy hormones like endorphins and serotonin that balance the elevated cortisol. You could go for a bicycle ride, take up Pilates or Zumba, or even swim and do yoga. Any physical activity can help you get a handle on your stress, which in turn helps your mane. 

Change your hair care routine 

If your tresses are thinning, your haircare routine needs to be prioritised. This means, using products that are specifically formulated to tackle the issue. You could introduce a restorative deep conditioning mask and hair oils such as jojoba, marula, argan or black seed to your routine. They all work hard to nourish and stimulate hair growth. 

Another although you hate watching your hair come out by the handful in the shower, do not be afraid to wash it. However, do not wash it more than three times a week as that will strip your mane of its natural oils and dry them out further. 

Eat healthy 

A well-balanced meal is key to replenishing your body with all the nutrients we tend to lose out on. Every day, your plate needs to be full of proteins that aid in the growth of hair follicles, iron that helps to carry oxygen to the cells that help hair to grow and vitamin B7 that aids in keratin production and promotes growth. Eat well and mindfully!