As we age, our hair inevitably becomes thinner, weaker, and flatter. Attempting to reverse or treat this issue can be challenging, which is why it’s crucial to assess your daily habits and take the utmost care of your locks during this stressful period.
Without realizing it, many of us make mistakes that contribute to hair loss or worsen thinning. To gain a better understanding of what could be causing or exacerbating your hair issues, we consulted hair experts and stylists for their advice and insight. By avoiding these pitfalls, you can prevent yourself from looking older than you are— and feeling more confident about your appearance.
Read on for advice from board-certified dermatologists Dr. Elaine F. Kung, M.D., FAAD, founder of Future Bright Dermatology and Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson, Chief Medical Officer of Ideal Image and co-founder of Modern Dermatology PC. We also received helpful tips from Kerry Yates, trichologist at Colour Collective and Jose Mier, hair expert and founder of Heliotherapy Research Institute for preventing even more fallout.
4. Hair Styling & Care Mistakes That Can Weaken Your Tresses
1. Using A Hot Hair Dryer Often
Hair/blow dryers are undeniably convenient after stepping out of the shower with dripping locks, but as Kung says, if your hair is already thinning, the many cons of this styling tool outweigh the pros.
“Hair drying without a hair dryer produces a relatively well-protected hair surface, while hair that is dried using a hair dryer shows more damage to hair surfaces,” Kung says of her experience treating patients with hair loss.
In addition, the hair surfaces show an overall tendency to become more damaged as the temperature increases, with the most severe surface damage produced after drying with the highest temperature,” she continues.
Natural air drying, Kung stresses, or exposure to ambient temperature after gently removing water drops with a towel, is usually considered to be much “safer than using a hair dryer.”
When using hot tools like blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons, etc., she notes that it is imperative to also use heat protectant spray.
2. Sleeping With A Non-Silk Pillowcase
Silk pillowcases are highly acclaimed among experts and stylists for their soft fabric that won’t aggravate or tug at your strands while you sleep as much as other materials can.
For those with thinning hair, Robinson says, this is a much safer pillowcase alternative. “I highly recommend a silk pillowcase for everyone, but it is especially important for people with thinning or breaking hair,” says Robinson.
The silk, she notes, causes less friction— helping to avoid pulling or breaking strands while you move in your sleep. “I also recommend pulling your hair up into a gentle top knot with a silk scrunchie to keep it off of the chemicals on your face at night which can also make them more vulnerable to breakage,” she adds (retinols & AHAs for example).
For this same reason, Robinson says it’s important to gently pull your hair back when cleansing your face and applying your PM skincare routine, which “typically contains actives that can be aggressive on the fine strands of hair that frame our face.”
3. Fad Dieting / Inconsistent Eating Habits
A crucial (if not the most) important way to take care of your tresses is eating a well-balanced diet containing vitamins such as biotin, vitamin A, zinc, iron, etc.
With that said, engaging in trendy fad diets or making inconsistent choices with your diet can heavily impact already-thinning hair, Yates says. “Like starting a cleanse, extreme dieting can wreak havoc on your hair,” Yates notes. “
When you make such drastic changes, you ultimately cut out body-loving nutrients, negatively impacting your hair’s life cycle.” Mier agrees, saying a “lack of vitamins and minerals in your diet is a huge reason your thinning hair looks worse.”
This, he says, is because “you aren’t getting enough nutrition needed” for healthy hair. “It also affects your hormonal system, which leads to hair fallout,” he continues. “So, you must talk to a doctor about what supplements to take.”
#4— Failing To Prevent Sun Damage
Even if you lather up on the facial and body sunscreen, your scalp needs protection from the sun’s damaging rays, too, Mier stresses. Heat is harmful to hair on its own, Mier says, and “excessive exposure to sunlight isn’t good” for thin hair.
“It makes your hair frizzy and causes split ends— a look that is not flattering for thinning hair—so don’t forget to cover your head when sitting in the sun for a long time,” he concludes.
Will do!
