Taking care of our skin is essential because it shows our overall health. Our hair is also a vital sign of our health.
Have you ever wondered what your hair says about your health?
In fact, around 6.5 million men and 8 million women in the UK face hair loss. This shows how our daily habits and lifestyle choices can affect hair health.
If your hair feels dry, lacks shine, or is thinning, it might not just be the products you use. Your everyday habits – like stress, diet, sleep, and how you style your hair – could harm your hair’s health.
The good news is that small changes in your lifestyle can make a big difference. In this article, we will look at ten signs that your lifestyle might hurt your hair and give valuable tips to help you restore its natural beauty and health.
Key Signs Your Lifestyle May Be Damaging Your Hair
Here are the ten key signs your lifestyle may be damaging your hair:
Sign 1: You’re Constantly Stressed – and So Is Your Hair
Stress impacts not only your mental health but also your hair. When you get stressed, your body makes more cortisol, a hormone that disrupts hair growth. This can lead to telogen effluvium, which causes your hair to fall out sooner than normal. As a result, you may notice more hair loss than usual.
What to Do:
Finding ways to reduce stress every day is essential to help with this. Try mindfulness activities like yoga, deep breathing, or writing in a journal to calm your mind. Going for walks outside or doing simple stretches can also decrease your stress. Magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens and nuts can help your body manage stress better.
Sign 2: You’re Skimping on Sleep – and Your Hair’s Paying the Price
Sleep is when your body heals and renews itself, including your hair follicles. If you don’t get enough sleep, your body may have trouble producing what it needs for healthy hair growth. Not getting enough rest can weaken your hair and make it more likely to break.
Research shows that 40% of UK men will have noticeable hair loss by age 35, rising to 65% by age 60. This emphasises that sleep is important for keeping your hair healthy and preventing hair loss.
What to Do:
Keep a regular sleep schedule. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night and do something relaxing before bed. Stay away from your phone and computer for at least an hour before sleeping, and drink herbal tea like chamomile or valerian root to help you unwind. Making sure your bedroom is comfortable and calm will also help you sleep better.
Sign 3: Your Diet Is Lacking Key Hair Nutrients
What you eat affects how healthy your hair is. Your hair can become thinner or weaker if you don’t get enough nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin D, and biotin. These nutrients are important for healthy, shiny hair growth. Without them, it can have trouble.
What to Do:
Eat a balanced diet with healthy foods. Foods like leafy greens, eggs, oily fish, and nuts are great for your hair because they contain the necessary vitamins and minerals. You can consider taking supplements if you think you might not get enough from your food. Remember to talk to a doctor or a registered dietitian first to ensure you take the right amount.
Sign 4: You Over-Wash or Use Harsh Shampoos
Washing your hair too often or using harsh products can harm it. These habits can strip your scalp of its natural oils, making it dry and sensitive. Over time, this can weaken your hair, causing it to break, frizz, and develop flyaways.
According to Glamour, 45% of UK women wash their hair two to three times a week. This suggests that washing hair less often may help keep it healthier.
What to Do:
Instead of washing your hair daily, try cleaning it 2-3 times a week. This helps maintain your scalp’s natural oils. Choose shampoos free from sulfates and parabens because these ingredients can be too harsh. On days when you don’t wash your hair, use a little dry shampoo to keep it fresh. Apply a nourishing oil or scalp treatment once a week for extra hydration and protection.
Sign 5: Heat Styling Is Your Daily Ritual
Heat styling tools like straighteners, curling irons, and hair dryers can damage your hair. They can dry it out and harm the outer layer. Using this product excessively can weaken your hair. This may lead to split ends, frizz, and breakage.
What to Do:
It’s tempting to style your hair every day, but giving it a break from heat is a good idea. If you need to style it, always use a heat-protectant spray to help keep your hair safe. You can also try heat-free styles or just let your hair air dry. When you do use heat, keep the temperature low.
Sign 6: Hydration Isn’t Just for Skin
Dehydration affects not just your body but also your hair. If your hair feels dry and brittle, it may mean you need more hydration. When your body lacks moisture, your hair can feel rough, lose its bounce, and become more likely to break.
What to Do:
To keep your body and hair hydrated, drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water daily. You can also eat more water-rich foods, like cucumbers, melons, and celery. Additionally, consider using a hydrating leave-in conditioner or a hair mask to help keep moisture in your hair.
Sign 7: You Ignore Your Scalp’s Health
A healthy scalp is important for healthy hair. If your scalp is irritated, dry, or clogged, it can lead to hair problems like dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. Ignoring your scalp’s health can even cause hair loss later on.
What to Do:
Treat your scalp like part of your hair, and be gentle with it. You can gently exfoliate your scalp once a week to remove dead skin and product buildup. Massaging your scalp with essential oils like tea tree or peppermint can increase blood flow and help your hair grow stronger.
Sign 8: You’re Tying Hair Too Tight, Too Often
If you always wear your hair pulled back tightly, like in ponytails or braids, it can stress your hair roots. This constant pulling can lead to traction alopecia, which means your hair may get pulled out from the roots as time passes. This can cause thinning and hair loss, especially around your hairline
What to Do:
To prevent this, try wearing your hair in looser styles and avoid tight elastics that pull on your hair. Soft, fabric-covered hair ties or scrunchies are gentler on your hair. Also, let your hair down each day to give it a break.
Sign 9: You’ve Tried Everything, but Hair Still Thins
If you have tried natural remedies and changed your daily routine but still notice thinning hair or more scalp showing, it might be more than merely habits. Your genes, hormone changes, or an underlying health issue could be causing your hair loss.
What to Do:
If you find yourself in this situation, getting expert advice is best. If lifestyle changes are not working, consider reaching out to professionals. The Maitland Clinic is a trusted hair restoration centre that provides personalised consultations. They focus on the specific causes of your hair problems and provide tailored treatments to address them.
Sign 10: You Don’t Track What’s Normal for Your Hair
Hair changes happen slowly, which makes it easy to miss small changes in texture or thickness. If you’re not keeping track of these changes, you might notice the early signs of a problem that could be dealt with earlier.
What to Do:
Keep a hair diary to monitor your hair’s performance weekly. Jot down any shedding, texture changes, or irritation you notice. This easy routine can help you identify patterns and take action before things escalate.
Conclusion
Your hair reflects your health and lifestyle choices. By making simple changes in your life, you can solidify your hair and make it shine. Focus on lowering stress, getting good sleep, and giving your hair the proper nutrients. If your hair problems continue, seek professional help to find out what’s wrong and how to fix it.
Your hair needs the same attention as other parts of your body. With a few adjustments and perhaps some professional guidance, you can achieve healthy and vibrant hair that enhances your confidence and revitalises you.
