Hair loss is a very personal topic, and can be triggered by many factors. For me, it started with an incredibly stressful corporate job, which I ended up quitting after a few months. Just when I thought my resignation would be the end of my troubles, I noticed that my hair was getting noticeably thinner. Numerous strands would fall down the drain each time I shampooed. I was scared to comb it in fear of losing more. Two years later, my hair is finally in a (slightly) better state. It took effort to develop better habits. If you are looking for affordable tips on how to prevent hair loss that don’t require pills, or consumables, then this post is for you.
*For context, I have never dyed or colored by hair before, though I understand this factor may be an additional variable to consider.
HAIR GROWTH PRODUCTS I TRIED (WITH MIXED RESULTS)
When I first started my hair care journey, I nervously did not know where to start. So like most people, I researched a few common solutions.
- Hair growth supplements: Most of the ones I researched were expensive. They usually contain biotin, a protein speculated to promote hair growth. However, it does come with potential side effects such as acne.
- Gummies: That was my next best option, as they are more affordable. My company had a sample sale, in which I hoarded 5 bottles that lasted me 1 year. But I did not see much of a difference, and the results are highly variable.
- Castor Oil: I ordered a small bottle from Sephora (which I learned was seriously overpriced). Outcome aside, it was very sticky. My clean hair looked like it had been on day 3 as soon as I applied it. I had it hard time washing it off too.
- Hair Masks: These did help my hair to maintain a smooth texture, and are good for hair repair. However, they did not help with hair loss specifically. (My favorite hair mask for conditioning is Amika)
12 HABITS THAT PREVENT HAIR LOSS NATURALLY
I quickly learned that if I was going to be serious about growing my hair, I needed to be patient. While growth supplements work well on some people, I was nervous to spend a fortune on something that delivered variable results. So I developed better habits, which in the span of two years, finally seemed to pay off. Here are my best tips on how to prevent hair loss affordably, and naturally that I hope work for you.
TIP #1: DON’T WASH YOUR HAIR IN HOT WATER.
Don’t get your hair in hot water. (Get it? Heh) High temperatures are known to dry your scalp, weaken your hair roots, and strip your hair strands of natural oils and moisture. Just lukewarm water is fine.
TIP #2: DON’T COMB YOUR HAIR WHEN IT IS WET.
And this is where I share a tidbit of textile knowledge 🙂 Many fibers are known to weaken when wet because water actually lubricates molecules (i.e. makes them slippery). Well, our hair is technically a fiber too, and exhibits the same effect. Hair strands are in a weaker state when wet, so if you want to comb through any tangles, wait until it is dry, not when you’ve just washed it.
TIP #3: DO CHANGE YOUR HAIR PART EVERY SO OFTEN.
A friend shared this one with me, and I think it is genius. I had a middle part for almost my entire life, and after I left my job, I noticed the hair part really started to widen. By switching up your part, you ensure that the same part of your scalp is not repeatedly exposed to the sun (or other heat treatments such as straightening, curling).
TIP #4: DO TRIM YOUR HAIR EVERY FEW MONTHS.
When I was losing a lot of hair, I became nervous to brush or even cut it. Not sure how this fear developed, but actually, getting a trim every few months is a healthy habit for your hair. Trimming helps eliminate strands that would otherwise split on their own. You maximize the density of hair that can actually reach it full, healthy length. Experts suggest trimming should be done every 6-8 weeks.
TIP #5: DO MANAGE YOUR STRESS.
If not for your hair, stress management is good for your mental and physical health in general. Stress triggers an inflammatory response in our bodies, which can cause our immune system to attack hair follicles. I’ve found creative outlets (like blogging!), and taking fitness classes and regular walks outside to help channel the stress I feel at work and elsewhere. Considering ways to manage your stress can be a great way to prevent hair loss, while bringing in other health benefits.
TIP #6: DO GENTLY MASSAGE YOUR SHAMPOO.
As shared above, your hair is weaker when wet. So as you are shampooing, you should gently massage the shampoo into your scalp and move your way to cleaning the strands. I never used to pay attention to this tip, which led to a ton of tangles when I lathered whichever way I wished. Combing through the tangles ultimately led to more hair loss.
TIP #7: DON’T USE SHAMPOOS WITH SULFATES.
Sulfates do not cause hair loss per se. But they can trigger an inflammatory response that irritates the scalp, and causing thinning in the long run. I will be honest, I am not a shampoo or hair care product expert. But there are many sulfate-free shampoo options out there. Here are some paraben and sulfate-free options from Ulta you can consider.
TIP #8: DO USE A SILK PILLOWCASE (OR SOMETHING WITH A SMOOTH SURFACE)
I wrote an earlier post explaining all the benefits of silk pillowcases. They are smooth enough to prevent tangles in your sleep, and are not abrasive to your hair strands. If silk is not within your budget, there are other fabrications you can look into, also shared in my post. (e.g. Eucalyptus, Sateen, Satin)
TIP #9: DO PAY ATTENTION TO SLEEP & DIET.
Lack of sleep correlates with stress levels, which as I shared earlier, contributes to hair loss and thinning. As for diet, there are supposed foods in vitamins and nutrients that stimulate hair growth. Some common ones I have heard are eggs, avocados, berries, spinach, and fish. (Do I hear brunch calling?)
TIP #10: DO BE CAREFUL WITH THE WAY YOUR DRY YOUR HAIR.
Rubbing your wet hair with towel is very damaging to the hair cuticle. Not to mention, cotton towels are incredibly abrasive so you will be pulling hair out without even realizing. Meanwhile, air drying maximizes the amount of water retention in your hair, which can also create damage. And finally, hair dryers can damage both the hair and scalp due to high heat.
That leaves us with no perfect way to dry hair, right? Nope, the perfect method is actually using a combination of all three properly. First dry your hair a bit by blotting your hair (squeezing and pressing, not rubbing) with a towel. Next, blow dry your hair from a 6-inch distance. And finally, air dry the rest.
TIP #11: DON’T TIE YOUR HAIR TOO TIGHT (BYE BYE HIGH PONYTAILS)
This one feels like a silent killer. I used to be obsessed with ponytails and buns. They looked chic, and were a good way to hide my second day hair. Without realizing, I was damaging my hair by tying them too tightly. Similar to any other fiber, your hair is under extreme tension when pulled into a high ponytail or bun. This tension causes strands to pull at the follicle, and over time, fall out.
If you want to wear a ponytail (or bun), keep it loose and change it up every so often. I personally did away with hair donuts. I used to love the simple, Parisian look. But after realizing how much the weight of the bun was adding tension to my hair, I stopped wearing them.
On that note, it is just as important to tie your hair with something that gentle. Below are a few highly rated options. I use soft scrunchies and coil ties now.
TIP #12: DO TRY VEGAMOUR (OKAY, I SAID NO CONSUMABLES EARLIER)
Yes, I did say earlier these tips would be affordable. No pills or consumables. Which is why I left this point as a bonus. In March, I started using Vegamour’s Gro Hair Serum, which I apply to my scalp every night. I’m currently on month 2, and have started seeing some good results. The brand relies on a vegan, plant-based formula in all its products. They say it takes an average of 4 months to see an effect.
I ended up giving this product a try because I was hesitant to take pills. And unlike most hair growth supplements, this one does not cause any side effects. (It is also a lower upfront commitment – $58 for 1 bottle that lasts 4 months). I am halfway there, but will share an honest (unsponsored) report when I am done!
A FINAL THOUGHT: HAIR GROWTH TAKES TIME
I shared in the beginning, but hair loss can feel very personal, and in some cases, permanent too. I don’t claim to know what everyone’s circumstances are, in case you read this post to the end. However, I do hope this post gives a little bit of hope because for me, the journey to hair growth took a lot of time and experimenting. While I don’t attribute it to a single factor, I am a firm believer that the sum of repeated actions over time do pay off. So here are 12 tips on how to prevent hair loss that I hope help you in your journey.
<I did not share too many before & after pictures, but hope to after I wrote my Vegamour review>
