Hair loss is often an emotional thing to experience.
Not just about looks, hair can be a big part of a person’s sense of self and identity.
This August is Hair Loss Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to do away with some myths around why hair loss happens.
Leading hair supplement brand Viviscal are working with Dr Sara Kayat to do just that.
Dr Sara tells Metro.co.uk there are four big myths that’s aren’t helpful when tackling hair loss:
- Hair loss is passed down through your mother’s side of the family: It can be genetic in nature, but the responsible gene can be passed down from both sides of the family.
- Washing makes more hairs shed: Washing does not affect the rate of hair loss or hair growth
- Bald men have more testosterone: Rather than the amount of testosterone in men, it is the sensitivity of your hair follicles to the by-product of testosterone that seems to play the biggest role.
- Cutting hair makes it grow back thicker: Cutting hair may make it appear thicker, but it has no effect on the actual thickness of the shaft growing from the follicle.
Understanding the science behind hair loss is complex, which is why these myths can spread in a bid to make sense of it.
But Dr Sara tells us ‘the medical treatments for hair loss depend on the cause’, so getting the facts right around that can affect what you might do to stimulate growth and prevent further thinning.
‘If for example your hair loss is due to a dietary deficiency you may be advised to take supplements,’ she explains.
‘If you have male or female pattern baldness you may be prescribed finasteride (male only) or minoxidil. For alopecia areata, often steroids are trialled.’
So what can you do to prevent hair loss?
Some things are out of your control, but Dr Sara says to start with your scalp health.
‘A healthy scalp is so important as follicles that are affected by infection, dandruff, oil and debris may affect the growth of hair,’ she says.
‘Signs that your scalp may not be healthy include itchiness, flakiness or dandruff, redness, oiliness and spots or bumps.
‘Often simple changes to your usual hair care regime can be enough to remedy this but, if not, you should be reviewed by a doctor.’
The ‘skinification’ of hair is a trend that’s emerged over the last year in beauty, in which consumers are now encouraged to be as thorough with their hair and scalp care as they are with their facial care.
While some of the advice within this is laborious and not always necessary, taking a few extra steps to be more aware of the condition of your scalp can make a difference.
Dr Sara also suggests: ‘Optimise your diet so that it is well rounded and contains all of the necessary nutrients.
‘Viviscal contains nutrients such as biotin, zinc and vitamin C which are essential for healthy hair.
‘I also recommend stress management techniques like meditation and mindfulness and regular hair washing to keep the scalp healthy, avoiding harsh styling and chemicals.’
So regular hair washing won’t make it fall out more – it will actually just keep your scalp clean and comfortable, preventing further loss.
It’s good to question the myths you’re told.
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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
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