5 Bad Habits That Can Lead to Hair Loss

Thin, brittle hair that sloughs off easily is never in style. Sadly, over 80 million people in the U.S. struggle with hair loss.

A lot goes into hair loss, including genetics and underlying health issues, but many don’t realize that bad habits can be just as much to blame.

Kathleen J. Smith, MD, and our team at Dermatology Specialists of Atlanta specialize in hair loss, and in this blog we cover the lifestyle factors that make it worse. 

1. You’re using too many products

We don’t want to put a blanket moratorium on hair products, but you should be selective and prioritize quality over quantity. We recommend steering clear of harsh bleaches and dyes that strip your hair and scalp of their natural essential oils and nutrients. Without proper nourishment, your hair breaks and falls out easily. 

Another popular product, dry shampoo, can help in a pinch but too much of it clogs your hair follicles.

The best hair care routine includes using gentle, natural products in moderation.

2. Your hairstyle is damaging

High ponies, ballerina buns, and tight braids can cause traction alopecia, a form of hair loss that results from constant pulling on your hair. These hairstyles can also damage the hair follicles themselves and cause permanent hair loss.

Opt for low-stress hairstyles or at least swap them a few times a week to reduce your risk for long-term damage.

3. You’re using too much heat

Curlers, straighteners, and blow dryers have changed the game and made it possible to completely transform your look. However, too much of a good thing can be bad.

The more you heat your hair, the weaker it becomes. Tools that heat up to 340+ degrees cause the most damage. Thankfully, styling tools rarely affect your follicles, but we recommend using them sparingly.

4. You’re not caring for wet hair properly

Your hair is weakest when it’s wet, and unfortunately, it’s also often the most tangled when it’s wet. Instead of ripping through those knots with your regular brush, invest in a wide-toothed comb or a brush designed for use on wet hair. Then, go nice and slow as you tackle each knot. 

We also recommend not sleeping with wet hair. The friction of your hair on the pillow can cause extra hair loss.

5. Your lifestyle is to blame

If you’re on a restrictive diet, super stressed out, scratching your scalp all the time, and/or smoking tobacco, your hair is likely going to respond with breakage and damage that leads to hair loss. 

Your hair (and your skin and nails) are often an outward reflection of your inward health. Take care of yourself by eating a balanced diet, managing stress, addressing scalp issues, and quitting smoking, and you just might see a comeback from your brittle, broken hair. 

What can I do about hair loss?

There are plenty of topicals and supplements out there that promise the world, but they often fail. When hair loss plagues you, turn to the experts at Dermatology Specialists of Atlanta. 

We offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hair loss treatments that harness the powerful growth factors in your blood to reboot your ability to grow thick, full, healthy hair. 

Hair loss doesn’t have to define you any longer. Call or click to schedule a consultation with the team at our Decatur, Georgia, office today.