Hair loss can be extremely traumatic, especially if it happens to you without warning.
So we spoke to expert trichologist Michelle Blaisure to get her take on what actually causes hair loss, as well as her opinion the best hair-growth products, treatments, and tips to combat hair thinning.
Read on to discover what we learned, plus our expert- and editor-favorite shampoos for hair growth!
Stress is one of the most common causes of hair loss.
Blaisure explained that being in a state of constant low-grade stress is one of the major causes of hair thinning. In turn, the intake of sugar and caffeine to keep energy levels up leads to the adrenal fatigue and blood sugar instability.
"We often are not getting enough of all the right nutrients for the hair as the body will use them for vital organs first," she said. "Hair is last on the list, as we do not need hair to live."
Sleep and diet are key to healthy hair growth.
"Sleeping a minimum of 7 to 8 hours and eating a healthy diet rich in whole foods, good fats, protein, and complex carbohydrates is the first place to start," Blaisure told us. "Fats and protein help to stabilize blood-sugar spikes and sustain energy throughout the day, reducing cravings so you are not reaching for sweets or coffee when energy levels slump."
She recommends incorporating foods like salmon, walnuts, avocados, and flaxseed to help with proper hair growth. And she encourages eating a variety of vegetables and some fruit (not juice) to get various nutrients and fiber — both of which feed the gut bacteria and maintain its function.
"Also, one of the biggest things that effects our ability to absorb nutrients from food is to relax when we eat," she said. "You need to rest to digest."
Hair-growth shampoos can also help.
In addition to getting proper sleep and nutrients, incorporating a quality shampoo into your arsenal can improve your hair-growth game and aid in the fight against hair loss. Proper selection is key, though, as you need to choose the right hair-growth shampoo based on your hair type.
"If you have fine hair, you want products that are lightweight and volumizing, but don't build up. Bosley Professional Strength's BosDefense is great for this hair type," she said. Those with coarser hair types may want to incorporate the use of an oil in addition to their hair-growth shampoo.
Nioxin Cleanser Shampoo for Thinning Hair
Viviscal Gorgeous Growth Shampoo
Be mindful of your scalp health.
Too much buildup can also contribute to hair loss, so it's important to regularly tend to your scalp. While we obviously support the use of dry shampoo, it's important to be cognizant of the buildup that products like these can cause if you don't treat your scalp properly.
"I recommend doing a micro-dermabrasion periodically to remove build-up, stimulate, and purify the scalp," Blaisure said.
Fake it until you make it.
Truly visible hair-growth results will take a while to appear, so there are some styling tricks you can work with in the meantime.
"For women, a hairstyle that has some slight layering to it will add fullness by reducing the weight of the hair," Blaisure said. "When blow-drying finer hair, use a wide tooth-comb and lift hair right at the root and dry to get added lift."
Read More:
Experts Let Us Know Which Hair-Growth Supplements Actually Work
Hair-Growth Oils, Treatments, and Tips for Your Longest Locks Ever
Our Favorite Hair-Repair Products to Bring Damaged Hair Back to Life
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Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and freelance writer. Prior to contributing to Biography, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including CNN, WWD, Business Insider, Forbes, and Men's Health, among others.
