Prevent Stress-Induced Hair Loss With These Home Treatments
Fret not, there are solutions out there
While it’s true that hair loss can be caused by a number of reasons, such as your genes, age or a change in diet, one of the biggest reasons for it, is stress.
When we’re stressed, our bodies produce more cortisol, a hormone linked to the body’s natural “fight or flight” response. These excess hormones have been found to disrupt the function and patterns of our hair growth cycle, which in turn contributes to hair thinning or hair loss.
It doesn’t happen overnight though. Instead, it is a gradual decrease, such as noticing that your hair isn’t as thick or lush as it used to be, or your ponytail is getting thinner, or your hair parting looking more obvious than before.
The good news: All is not lost (pun totally intended) because hair loss stemming from increased stress tends to be temporary. This means that a decrease in stress will have your locks growing back.
In the meantime, here’s what you can do to help minimise the loss:
1. Stop pulling your hair back into tight ponytails or buns.
Yes, we know the weather has been scorching hot, but these tight hairdos tug and pull at your hair follicles and over time, can damage and weaken hair.
2. Eat right
If you’re not eating well, your hair is going to feel it. Fuel up on proteins, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins, from foods like salmon, milk, flaxseeds, berries and almonds.
3. Keep your scalp healthy
After all, your scalp is an extension of the skin on your face. Keep it clean with regular shampooing and when you do, don’t forget to give your scalp a gentle massage to improve blood circulation to the hair follicles to keep them in good health.
Read on to find out about the six at-home haircare treatments to safeguard your hair.
Related article: What’s Causing Your Hair Loss – And The Secrets To Stopping It
This Korean hair care brand’s expert hair loss care range features a ginseng based formulation to relieve and soothe dry, itchy scalps and restore scalp balance. The range now comes in two new invigorating scents – Seoul Sunset and Jeju Breeze.
Available at Guardian, LazMall, Shopee Mall and Official Store online at https://ryo-miseenscene.com/pages/ryo
Nioxin System Kits are specially customised by hair type and thinning phase (light thinning or progressed thinning). They are formulated to boost hair growth and protect hair against breakage, while refreshing the scalp. Each system kit includes cleanser, conditioner, and leave-on treatment.
Available at leading Guardian retail and online stores; Lazada, Shopee and Amazon as well as exclusive salon outlets.
A lightweight, fast-absorbing, fragrance-free serum that promotes hair density by boosting your scalp’s microcirculation. It has scientifically proven ingredients like copper peptides, zinc, and caffeine to help support healthy, thicker-looking hair. Bonus: We love its clean, non-greasy finish.
Available at Sephora.
Formulated to restore weak, ultra damaged hair, this intensely nourishing treatment reverses damage by repairing hair’s outer shaft, and strengthening strands with niacinamide and lemon protein. It is meant to be applied on clean, damp hair after showering and can also double up as a heat and styling protectant.
Available at Sephora.
This in-shower hair mask is a must for the most damaged of hair and those with bleached, hay-like strands have been known to swear by it. It has a wonderfully luxurious scent that lingers on your hair all day and it has hydrolyzed keratin and proteins that smooths, softens and restores hair’s shine.
Available from Sephora
The shampoo is gently hydrating and balances the scalp. The conditioner has babassu and moringa oils to deeply nourish hair and give it healthy, bouncy softness and shine. Use the exfoliating treatment once or twice a week, applied to the scalp and massaged gently before rinsing. It reduces sebum and oiliness without irritating the scalp or disrupting the scalp barrier.
Available at Sephora.
Low level laser therapy can be administered in the form of a hand-held device like a comb or a device that you wear on your head like a cap for use at home. The therapeutic light stimulates the scalp to boost circulation and cellular repair to boost hair growth and improve scalp health. This LaserBand has 82 medical-grade laser diodes on a curved band. It is cordless, lightweight and rechargeable.
Available at https://www.hairmax.com.sg/
Infused with the brand’s patented PIP (phytosphingosine-1-phosphate) ingredient, known for its cell regeneration properties, along with biotin, this hair tonic revitalises and nourishes the scalp, helping to boost hair health. Use it daily on damp, shampooed hair.
Available at www.ksisters.sg
A daily booster to counteract premature hair loss. It’s enriched with panax root extract, vitamin B3 and bergamot fruit for a healthier hair and scalp. For best results, apply twice to three times daily.
Available at www.verdurehair.com
Made for thinning hair, it combines bioscience technology and botanical extracts to gently clean the scalp without stripping away its natural moisture. This promotes a better scalp condition for healthier hair. Use it daily.
Available at www.shunjimatsuo.com.sg or DM Leekaja Beauty Salon (@leekaja.sg), Prix Salon by Kevin Neo (@prixsalonsg) and Empire Charme (@empirecharme)
A daily-use sulfate-free shampoo that energises the scalp with guarana, horsetail and red algae extracts.
Available at www.phyto.sg and www.watsons.com.sg
An intensive six-week anti-hair loss programme contains the hair loss ingredient Aminexil. It protects against oxidative stress, and helps boost hair and scalp health. You can use one vial every day, or spread it out to one vial, three times a week.
Available at www.sephora.sg
This article originally appeared in Her World.