Preventing Hair Loss
- Take care of your hair -- by
paying less attention to it. Coloring or perming your hair too often
can damage it. Don't perm and color the same day.
- Limit heat exposure. Too much
blow-drying or hot-curling can damage hair.
- Limit chlorine exposure. Wear
a bathing cap while swimming and shampoo immediately afterwards.
- Hair is more fragile when wet.
Avoid vigorous combing or brushing wet hair. Using a conditioner or detangler
after shampooing can make grooming easier.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol
and avoid using it on your hair. Hair care products that contain alcohol can
make hair dry, brittle and prone to breakage.
- Over-brushing damages hair --
100 strokes a day is history.
- Over-pulling also damages hair.
Tight ponytails and braids are damaging.
- Healthy hair is found on healthy
people. Crash diets, illnesses, and even childbirth can cause or exacerbate
hair loss.
- Medications that can cause hair
loss include Vitamin A, certain antidepressants, testosterone products, beta
blockers, certain cholesterol-lowering agents, and chemotherapy.
- Stopping birth control pills
can contribute to hair loss.
- Certain medical conditions like
lupus, having polycystic ovaries, and hypo or hyperthyroidism can cause hair
loss, so consult your physician if you experience unexpected hair loss.
- Crash diets aren't good for
your health or your hair. Rapid weight loss plans, especially low-protein
diets, can cause hair loss.
Created: 4/3/2001  - Donnica Moore, M.D.
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