If thinning hair runs in your family, you may have resigned yourself to that unpleasant fact of life already. The truth is that very few people, if anyone, are happy with thinning hair. Hair loss affects a wide swath of the population, but most people are resigned to either accepting their fate or investing in a hair replacement system.

While you might not be able to fight genetics, there are a few things you can do to prevent or slow down your thinning hair.

What causes thinning hair or hair loss?

There are a multitude of reasons why people might lose their hair or notice their hair thinning. First, our bodies lose the ability to process nutrients as effectively when we age. One of those nutrients is iron, which is essential for healthy hair. If your body isn’t getting enough iron, your hair will suffer.

Hair loss can also be caused by stress and hormone issues, so if you’re constantly dealing with a pounding headache, sweaty palms and churning gut, that could be a contributing factor. It’s never a bad idea to get your stress under control, especially because it can cause other health issues.

Of course, pollution, chemical treatments and your environment can also contribute to thinning hair or hair loss. Surgical procedures, autoimmune disorders and prolonged illness often cause hair loss or thinning, and of course, we can’t ignore genetics.

How to keep your hair thick and strong

Did you know that hair is primarily made of protein, can last two to seven years per strand and grows about six inches per year? These facts, plus the knowledge that your diet and genetics affect hair growth, will help you understand what your hair needs to succeed.

Here are some tips to keep your hair thick and strong for a longer period of time:

• Wash less often and condition regularly: Washing your hair too often can make it dry and brittle, which means it will break easily. Try not to wash your hair more than two to three times per week, and condition it regularly. (Some people “wash” their hair with conditioner on the no-shampoo days.)
• Try a hair-boosting supplement: Biotin and collagen supplements are great for keeping your hair healthy. They can also boost hair regrowth. Ask your doctor before adding a supplement to your diet.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet: Whether you add supplements to your regimen, eating a healthy and balanced diet will help support healthy hair. Make sure you get plenty of protein as well as essential nutrients—like iron—from a variety of fresh sources.
• Use styling products and tools carefully: Finally, choose your products and tools wisely. Avoid alcohol-based styling products, and always use a heat protectant before using heat styling tools. Turn heat tools to the lowest setting.

Following these tips will help you keep your hair strong for as long as humanly possible—and if all else fails, call Raveen Hair Replacement for more options. We specialize in non-surgical hair replacement and can help address your thinning hair.