Did you know that we tend to lose more hair with age? On average, most people lose about 100 strands of hair a day, and with new strands growing to replace the ones lost, most of us will not see a noticeable difference. However, when fewer strands or no hair grows back, you will start to notice a receding hairline or thinning areas on your scalp.
The haircare experts at Yun Nam Hair Care know it can be harrowing to pull chunks of hair out from your hairbrush after combing through it. Hence, in this blog, they’ll be sharing with you some important signs and symptoms to look out for, so that you can take active steps to review your lifestyle.
Hair loss, also known as alopecia, affects many people of all ages. For some, hair loss is hereditary and occurs as a natural part of ageing. In others, hair loss may be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as hormonal imbalances, or a result of poor diet, stress, and other lifestyle habits.
For instance, you may be more at risk of hair loss if you have a hectic schedule packed with work and other social commitments. Not eating properly may also put you at risk of nutritional deficiency, in turn leading to an increased risk of hair loss.
For many of us, hair is the crowning jewel of our head, and losing them not only affects our appearance but may also cause additional emotional stress and affect confidence levels. While there are treatment options such as hair regrowth, you can also make lifestyle changes to minimise hair loss and preserve your full head of hair. Read on for some handy tips.
1. Review your diet
Diet can affect hair loss in a number of ways. A poor diet can lead to a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals, depriving your hair follicles of the adequate nutrients they require to produce healthy hair. This ultimately results in hair loss or weak and brittle hair.
Vitamins and minerals contributing to healthy hair growth include protein, zinc, iron, biotin, vitamin C, vitamin A, and omega-3 fatty acids. If you are not getting enough of these nutrients in your diet, this can lead to a deficiency and weaken the roots of your hair.
If you love fried, oily food, you may want to cut it down a little. Consuming excessive oily food can lead to an overproduction of sebum, which builds up in our hair follicles and clog the pores, leading to hair loss.
2. Hydrate yourself
While you review your diet, don’t forget the liquids! Staying hydrated is important. It plays a critical role in maintaining our health and is necessary for the proper functioning of every cell in the body, including the hair cells.
Dehydration can cause the scalp to become dry and itchy, or cause an electrolyte imbalance, affecting the health of the hair follicles and resulting in hair loss.
As a rule of thumb, drink at least two litres of water each day, and as much as possible, switch out sugary drinks. Some people do not enjoy drinking plain water but a tip is to squeeze in a bit of lemon or infuse it with some mint leaves to provide a flavour boost (bonus: it’ll boost your nutrient and antioxidant levels as well).
3. Watch and review your stress levels
When our body experiences stress, it handles the overwhelming feelings by releasing hormones called cortisol and epinephrine (adrenaline). These hormones affect almost every system in your body, including your metabolism, blood sugar levels, heart function, and immune system.
Aside from having an impact on our bodily functions, excess levels of these hormones can also inhibit hair regrowth. These hormones result in hair growing slower, or stunt hair growth, all of which can give the impression of balding and hair loss. Hence, it is recommended by the experts here at Yun Nam Hair Care to check in on your stress levels every once in a while and engage in relaxation techniques.
Some relaxation techniques include practising yoga, meditation, and mindfulness – all of which can help restore calm and relieve stress. Even just a few minutes of meditation a day can be very helpful in reducing tension and getting you out of the stress cycle you are in. Besides these relaxation techniques, you can also make time for your hobbies to help alleviate stress.
4. Give your scalp some Tender Loving Care (TLC)
Scalp massages — a definite stress reliever — also promote blood circulation to the scalp, bringing nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles and promoting healthy hair growth. Additionally, scalp massages can help dislodge any built-up sebum or dirt on the scalp and prevent them from clogging the pores.
Furthermore, regular scalp massages help with hair loss by stimulating the oil glands in the scalp. This unlocks younger hair strands, which are often anchored with oils, allowing them to move up the hair shafts smoothly.
Remember to only use your fingertips (no fingernails!) to gently massage your scalp for about five minutes at a time. You can also save time and do this when you are washing your hair in the shower.
5. Limit chemical perms & treatments
Some of us like to make changes to our appearances every once in a while and do something to our hair. However, it’s important to be mindful of the hair treatments that you put your scalp through. Many common hair treatments such as dyeing, perming, and rebonding can damage the hair shaft, causing hair to become brittle and weak, in turn resulting in breakage. Some treatments can even cause damage to your hair follicles, making it more difficult for new hair to grow and eventually lead to balding
Certain chemicals can also cause inflammation and irritation to your scalp, which can also result in increased hair loss. Thus, it is important to review the chemicals being used in the hair treatment you are going for, to ensure that damage to your hair and scalp is minimized.
6. Be gentle with your hair
If you’re not going to the salon for styling and want to do it on your own at home, then it’s crucial to be gentle. Try to avoid any tugging and pulling which can cause breakage. Here are a few tips for how to style your hair the right way:
- Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair before you start styling it.
- Be careful not to tug on your hair when you’re styling it.
- Refrain from using excessively high heat on your hair.
- Let your hair air dry whenever possible.
- Don’t wash your hair too frequently. This can strip your hair of its natural oils and lead to fragility and breakage.
- If you must wash your hair every day, review the chemical used in your shampoo and conditioner and opt for more natural and gentle ones.
- Don’t brush your hair when it’s wet; this will lead to breakage and split ends!
- If you must brush your hair when it’s wet, use a wide-tooth comb to prevent breakage and split ends.
7. Invest in some hair care products
In addition to being gentle with your hair when styling, you also need to invest in hair care products that are suitable for your hair type. For instance, If you have oily scalp and hair, you can try Yun Nam’s Charcoal series shampoo. Ingredients such as charcoal helps remove dead skin cells from your scalp and deodorises unpleasant scent – leaving your hair feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Top-quality natural hair care products are vital in preventing hair breakage. Avoid hair products that contain harmful chemicals and consider switching to products that contain more natural ingredients such as bamboo extracts, olive oil, or even ginseng. These ingredients help to repair damaged hair and protect them from damage, all while strengthening hair fibres. Be sure to do your own research on the products you opt to include in your hair care routine; this includes reading up on product reviews to ensure the product is good and effective.
For more natural products to boost hair regrowth and minimise hair loss, you can also look to herbal hair tonics that provide additional nutrition to dry or brittle hair, helping to prevent breakage and hair loss. These tonics are packed with natural, premium ingredients that treat all kinds of problems, like itchy scalp and excess oil, providing the hair follicles with the nutrients it needs for optimal growth.
8. Consider seeking out hair growth specialists
Alternatively, consider working with hair care professionals like Yun Nam Hair Care, as they have the experience to distinguish the different patterns of hair loss and identify the cause. From there, they can also review your lifestyle habits and provide you with detailed information about the health of your scalp and hair.
Through the years, Yun Nam has been helping countless men and women recover from a variety of hair and scalp problems and offer specialised treatments scientifically designed to help you overcome the insecurity of dandruff, itchy scalp, oily hair, hair loss, and balding.
Their story starts in the Yun Nam region, home to 17,000 species of plants that hold a secret. Used in combination, these herbs and plants had been providing nearby villagers with full heads of thick, healthy hair for generations! After years of intensive research and development under constant review, Yun Nam successfully adapted and improved the formula to better suit Singapore’s tropical climate, eventually providing their customers with top-notch hair health using natural herbs and plants.
With numerous glowing reviews, Yun Nam Hair Care can tailor the perfect treatment plan for your hair and scalp. Shop their herbal hair tonics here or simply make an appointment to kickstart your journey to healthier and luscious hair.
