Almost 25% of men start suffering from male pattern baldness before the age of 21, according to The American Hair Loss Association. Similar estimates suggest that women make up 40% of total American hair loss sufferers. The question ‘How to stop hair loss?’ has been asked too often with diverse answers that may cause more confusion than clarity.
In this article, we explore different ways to prevent hair loss that do not solely revolve around medication. Natural supplements, lifestyle improvements, and alternative therapies can also be used to prevent hair thinning. These strategies have limited side effects and may offer a more long-term solution to address hair loss. Likewise, many of these can also improve your hair growth by strengthening your scalp and hair follicles.
Let’s dive right in and understand how hair loss can be prevented with various interesting strategies that cover diet, medication, herbal remedies, and alternative therapies.
Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle
To understand how to stop hair loss, it is important to know what hair loss means and how the hair growth cycle operates. There are three phases in the hair growth cycle, including anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). The anagen phase is the most important as it lasts about 5 years and determines our hair length.
Catagen lasts around 10 days with hair follicles shrinking and hair growth slowing down. In telogen, the hair falls out from the hair follicles, starting the anagen phase again. Hair loss occurs when this cycle is disturbed due to various factors like hormonal activity, lifestyle changes, or medicinal intake. To prevent hair loss, you need to ensure that your body has a regular and healthy hair growth cycle.
Types of Hair Loss
Hair loss can be broadly categorized into two types: temporary and permanent.
- Temporary hair loss is triggered by a specific cause that can damage your hair follicles and result in hair loss in the short term. These causes can include menopause, stress, and medicine side effects, among others.
- Permanent hair loss can be long-term with damaged hair follicles giving way to complete baldness in men and women. This type of hair loss is caused by underlying conditions such as male/female pattern baldness or permanent scalp damage.
Understanding the Causes of Hair Loss
Several causes of hair loss can lead to hair thinning, shedding and balding. These can include genetic and biological factors, hormonal changes, nutritional problems, and medicinal side effects.
- Genetics: Genetic makeup can lead to hair loss, with the most common condition being androgenetic alopecia, also called male/female pattern baldness. This condition arises due to the body’s response to androgens that are responsible for hair growth. Many people ask “How to prevent genetic hair loss?”, the answer is not straightforward due to its complicated nature, however, you can use medication like Finasteride to control hormonal activity.
- Medicinal side-effects: Certain medicines can have side effects that can cause hair thinning and eventual hair loss. People undergoing chemotherapy can experience hair loss due to the medication they are consuming. Similarly, medicines used for blood pressure and excess supplements like vitamin A are also associated with increased hair loss.
- Stress and trauma: Extreme and long-term stress can also lead to hair loss by influencing the hair growth cycle. Likewise, trauma – both emotional and physical – can also have a similar effect. In these situations, the hair-resting phase is stretched, leading to short-term hair loss.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies are another major cause of hair loss. Healthy hair requires various nutrients including minerals and vitamins to survive and grow. Lack of iron in the body, especially in women, can weaken the hair follicles and cause hair shedding. Similarly, insufficient protein, vitamin D, and zinc can also lead to hair loss and balding.
How to Stop Hair Loss: Exploring Proven Solutions
Let’s discuss some of the ways you can stop your hair loss.
Healthy Diet and Nutrition to Prevent Thinning Hair
There are several ways to prevent hair loss by eating and consuming a healthy diet. Treating hair loss with a healthy diet includes little to no side effects. A healthy diet includes various vitamins and minerals including iron, zinc, and fatty acids to boost hair growth and stop hair loss.
Iron and Zinc
Iron is essential in promoting hair growth by increasing the oxygen supply to hair follicles in the scalp. This increases the health of hair follicles leading to healthier and thicker hair. Iron-rich food includes meat, spinach, and beans among other items.
Similarly, zinc is another important component that strengthens the oil glands around hair follicles. You can avoid zinc deficiency by consuming meat, dry fruits, and chickpeas.
Quick summary of suggestions:
Iron:
- Meat
- Spinach
- Beans
Zinc:
- Meat
- Dry fruits
- Chickpeas
Vitamins
Among different ways to prevent balding, eating vitamins is an effective approach. Vitamin D can boost hair growth and address hair loss, especially if caused by a vitamin D deficiency. B7 vitamin, also known as biotin, supports keratin production, a protein used to strengthen hair.
These vitamins can be found in meats, eggs, and potatoes in ample quantities. Likewise, vitamin A is essential for hair cell growth and moisturizes the scalp through sebum, an oil-like product. It is found in beta-carotene food items such as carrots, peppers, and dairy products.
In our clinically-backed e-book, “How Not To Go Bald,” we offer practical advice and insights. Make sure to purchase it and accelerate the growth of your hair naturally.
Quick summary of suggestions:
Vitamin D:
- Meats
- Eggs
- Potatoes
Vitamin B7 (Biotin):
- Meats
- Eggs
- Potatoes
Vitamin A:
- Carrots
- Peppers
- Dairy products
Proteins and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Proteins are also important for hair growth as they play a vital role in the makeup and growth of hair. For example, amino acids contribute to collagen production, an important protein in the hair shaft. Insufficient protein can also impact hair health adversely by making hair weak and brittle.
Similarly, Omega-3 fatty acids can also improve scalp health by making it healthier and stronger, improving hair growth. These nutrients can be found in meat items including fish, chia seeds, and lentils.
Proteins:
- Meats
- Fish
- Eggs
- Lentils (for Omega-3 fatty acids as well)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
- Fish
- Chia seeds
- Lentils
Hair Care Routines and Products
The question ‘Can hair loss be prevented?’ is a common one and one potential answer is through hair care practices Having positive hair care routines and using the right hair care products can help you prevent hair thinning.
Healthy Hair Care Routines
By practicing a healthy hair care routine, you can prevent hair thinning and make your hair stronger. For instance, you can switch to using lukewarm water to rinse your hair to ensure good scalp health.
Similarly, it is a good practice to gently massage your towel against your hair to dry it instead of rubbing it with force. Also, use frequent scalp massages to increase blood flow to hair follicles leading to stronger hair. Lastly, you can use an anti-knotting comb to reduce hair fall and avoid scalp inflammation.
Best Hair Care Products
Today, there are thousands of hair care products advertised to guard against hair loss however, it is important to recognize the best from the rest. For starters, you should avoid products that have silicone or sulfates in them as they can damage the natural oils present on the scalp.
Similarly, using hair care products that have natural components like Saw Palmetto or biotin can lead to stronger hair. You can also use various hair oils such as coconut and peppermint to prevent baldness and improve scalp health. Finally, using lightweight conditioners is a good option if you are already suffering from hair shedding.
Avoiding Hair-Damaging Behavior
Most of us unintentionally follow practices that can hamper hair growth and lead to hair loss. For instance, by using hair dryers regularly, you can weaken your hair shafts due to exposure to high temperatures.
Similarly, using excessive chemicals such as hair colors or bleaches can also weaken the hair resulting in hair loss. Certain hairstyles such as ponies or braids can also cause hair loss by pulling hair too tightly at the back. You should avoid these practices by reducing the interval of high-temperature items, applying more natural chemicals, and opting for less damaging hairstyles.
Essential Lifestyle Modifications
The way you live your life can also impact your hair health and unhealthy habits can lead to a higher chance of balding. To prevent hair loss, you can include healthy lifestyle changes starting with stress management techniques, regular exercising, and improving sleep routine among others.
Quality Sleep
When you sleep, certain growth hormones are released that promote the growth of hair follicles in the body. This natural process also includes the repair and regeneration of hair follicles which is essential for hair growth.
However, if your sleep cycle is disturbed, this process can be adversely affected leading to weak hair follicles and hair growth. For the prevention of hair loss, it is important to ensure a healthy sleep cycle with a proper routine.
To improve your sleep quality, you should avoid screen time before going to bed and ensure a peaceful sleeping environment with appropriate temperature and noise levels.
Intermittent Fasting
Adding intermittent fasting in your life can also support hair growth and address potential causes of hair loss. This type of fasting can improve hormonal activity and strengthen metabolism activity that impacts the hair growth cycle.
By not consuming regular meals, intermittent fasting can also clean body toxins which can also contribute to hair loss. You can practice different types of fasting such as time-bound fasting or sleep-included fasting. In addition to addressing hair loss and balding, fasting can also improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation leading to better health.
Stress Management Strategies
Among various ways to prevent balding, stress management techniques are a popular choice to address hair loss. Regular yoga can also assist in maintaining stress levels and controlling stress hormones that can potentially cause hair loss.
Among other negative effects of stress, it can also influence the hair growth cycle, extending the resting phase. By frequently meditating and doing wellness exercises, you can counter these adverse effects of stress. Exercises like playing sports, biking, and jogging can improve blood flow to the scalp and maintain hormonal levels to prevent hair loss.
The best treatment for healthy hair is through natural supplements and healthy habits. We outline 30 of these in our unique e-book ‘How Not To Go Bald’. Purchase it today to find actionable tips on how to prevent hair thinning.
Avoiding Tobacco and Alcohol
Smoking can negatively affect hair growth and increase the rate of balding in men and women. It contains many toxin products such as tobacco, nicotine, and tar that can mix in the blood supply and damage hair follicles. Smoking can also impact scalp health by reducing the amount of nutrients available for hair follicles on the scalp. Similarly, alcohol can also impact hair growth by causing dehydration and weakening the scalp and hair follicles. It can also reduce the amount of various beneficial nutrients in the body that are used to replenish hair follicles. It is best to avoid such products to prevent thinning hair and improve your hair health.
Here’s a quick recap on how to prevent hair loss by making a few lifestyle modifications:
Medical Treatments and Natural Supplements for Hair Loss
Medical treatments and natural supplements can also be effectively used in the prevention of hair loss. Let’s explore some of these.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is an over-the-counter medicine that can effectively address hair loss as proven in several studies. This medicine improves hair follicle strength by improving blood flow to the scalp.
It also positively influences the hair growth cycle by increasing the hair growth (anagen) phase. Minoxidil can be used to treat male/female pattern baldness if used consistently for several weeks. There are some minor side effects associated with this medicine such as scalp irritation, itching, and dryness.
Finasteride
Finasteride is another prescription-only, FDA-approved medicine primarily used for treating male-pattern baldness. This medicine influences the underlying hormonal activity by stopping the conversion of testosterone to DHT through an enzyme called alpha-5 reductase.
It is taken in oral form and is only recommended for adult males aged 18 or above. The medication is not advised to women as it can have side effects especially when other conditions like pregnancy are present.
Other Medications
Several other medications can also be used to prevent thinning hair such as Dutasteride and Anthralin. Dutasteride works similarly to Finasteride by limiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT, however, it is more potent than Finasteride.
Anthralin is a lesser-known medicine that is used on the scalp to encourage hair growth and improve hair thickness. Additional medicines like Corticosteroids and Spironolactone are also used to treat balding patches and hair loss in both men and women.
Natural Supplements
Natural supplements can also prove effective against hair loss and prevent baldness in both men and women without potential side effects. Saw palmetto which is extracted from Serenoa trees, is also known to stop the conversion of testosterone to DHT, reducing hair loss and pattern baldness.
Similarly, stinging nettle root can also be used to prevent hair loss as it contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can improve scalp health. Green tea extract which contains an epigallocatechin gallate is also commonly used to reduce DHT levels and prevent hair loss. Other natural supplements like Pygeum bark extract and pumpkin seeds can also contribute to hair loss reduction and result in a stronger scalp.
Check out our unique e-book, “How Not To Go Bald,” to learn more about natural supplements that have been shown to address hair loss and strengthen hair. Get it now to protect your hair!
Alternative Treatments to Stop Hair Loss
Alternative therapies can also help you answer the question ‘How to slow hair loss’? These include lesser-known treatments and cures such as herbal remedies, essential oils, and acupuncture.
Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies can help prevent balding by using herbs found in nature. Herbal remedies are used in various societies and cultures to strengthen hair. For instance, Ginkgo Biloba, found in East Asia, is known for improving blood circulation in the body leading to better absorption of nutrients by hair follicles on the scalp, increasing hair growth. Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, can strengthen your hair by nourishing your hair with vitamin C and antioxidants.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is another popular treatment to cure hair loss and make the hair stronger. Different essential oils such as rosemary and lavender are used to address hair loss and strengthen the scalp.
These oils are known for having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can positively affect the hair growth cycle and stop hair loss. It is advisable to mix them with carrier oils like coconut when applying on the scalp for the best outcome.
Using natural materials like essential oils is the best treatment for hair loss. Check out our e-book ‘How Not To Go Bald’ for all-natural and herbal solutions to prevent balding!
Laser and Plasma Therapies
With the advancement in medical science and technology, various new therapies can address the question of ‘How to stop hair loss?’ effectively. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses laser technology to increase hair growth by stimulating hair growth cells.
It is mostly beneficial for people suffering from pattern baldness and is completely non-intrusive. The only downside of LLLT is that it takes several months and regular sessions to yield any fruitful results.
Similarly, platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) is another effective treatment for hair loss. It involves using platelets from your body and injections in the scalp to increase hair growth and make the hair follicles stronger. Just like LLLT, for optimal results, PRP needs to be administered for several months and is sometimes used with other hair loss treatments like medication.
Myths and Misconceptions About Hair Loss Treatments
Several myths and misconceptions are commonly associated with the prevention of hair loss that lead to doubts and confusion among people. It is important to address these myths and misconceptions so that you can care for your hair and take steps to prevent hair loss.
- Myth 1 – Hair loss only happens to men: While male hair loss and baldness are more common and visible, hair loss is also prevalent in women. The causes and types of hair loss can be different depending on the underlying condition in men and women.
- Myth 2 – Balding is due to aging: Balding can happen due to various reasons which may include age in some situations. However, hair loss can also happen due to other factors like genetic makeup, dietary problems, and lifestyle changes.
- Myth 3 – Exposure to sunlight causes hair loss: While excess UV from the sun may make the scalp more sensitive, it doesn’t permanently damage hair follicles. Therefore, normal sunlight exposure doesn’t directly contribute to hair loss or balding.
At the beginning of this article, we asked a simple question ‘How to stop hair loss?’. This article answered this question by thoroughly exploring various strategies to counter hair loss effectively. These included both mainstream and unique solutions including natural supplements, a healthy lifestyle, medication, and herbal therapies. Hair loss is often stopped by a combination of these effective strategies rather than solely relying on one or two methods.
Dr. Wilma Bergfeld from the Cleveland Clinic, a subject matter expert, suggests considering treatments like low-dose oral minoxidil, which has been shown to be safe and effective for hair loss, and low-level laser light therapy, which can reduce scalp inflammation and promote hair growth.
Ready to reclaim your hair and put an end to hair loss? Get our clinically-backed e-book, “How Not To Go Bald,” now and protect your hair from shedding and thinning with 30 actionable tips.
Key Takeaways
- How to stop hair loss is a pressing question today with many men and women suffering from hair loss and pattern baldness, according to The American Hair Loss Association.
- There are many causes associated with hair loss, including genetics, hereditary, diet, lifestyle, medicinal side effects, and nutritional deficiencies.
- A healthy diet and nutrition can support the prevention of hair loss with foods rich in iron, zinc, vitamins, and protein playing an important role.
- Hair care practices such as healthy hair care routines, using natural hair care products, and avoiding harmful hair care behavior can also prevent thinning hair.
- Lifestyle changes play a central role in preventing hair loss with quality sleep, stress management activities, mindfulness techniques, and intermittent fasting leading to improved hair growth.
- Medications like Finasteride and Minoxidil can stop hair loss by controlling hormonal activity and improving scalp health. Natural supplements like saw palmetto and green tree extract are used to counter hair loss with limited side effects.
- Alternative treatments like herbal remedies, aromatherapy, laser, and plasma therapy are used to prevent hair thinning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you prevent hair loss?
Yes. You can prevent hair loss through a variety of methods depending on the underlying condition and cause of hair loss. Improving diet, adopting a healthier lifestyle, using natural supplements, taking medication, and avoiding harmful hair care practices can also stop hair loss.
How to prevent genetic hair loss?
Genetic hair loss can be prevented if the balding is due to hormonal activity such as improved levels of DHT and estrogen. If genetic hair loss is due to hereditary reasons, it may be more complicated to solve but medications can support controlling and preventing hair loss.
Is there a way to prevent balding?
There are several ways to prevent hair loss, including improving your diet, transitioning to a healthier lifestyle, consuming medication, adopting a better healthcare routine, using natural supplements, and benefiting from herbal treatments.
Discover real, drug-free solutions in our e-book, backed by clinical research.
Topics include:
-Anti-inflammatory strategies for improved blood flow to the scalp
-How to balance estrogen and prolactin naturally
-The downside of frequently wearing hats
-Organic alternatives to Rogaine
-Ditching sulfates for a healthier scalp
-Unbound iron and its role in oxidative stress
And much more!
This website participates in the Amazon Associates Program. Posts may contain links that result in an affiliate commission for the site owners if a qualifying purchase is made.
