(1) To brush hard can scratch the scalp and pull the hair out at the root, damaging the hair follicle. It’s important to treat the scalp gently when shampooing, and never tug at your hair with a brush or comb.
(2) Dandruff, eczema or dermatitis (characterized by an itchy, flaky scalp) are linked to hair loss; they trigger inflammation, which has an adverse effect on hair follicles.
(3) Hair is composed of keratin, which gives it its strength. Too little protein (red meat, fish, eggs, chicken) affects keratin levels; your hair will lose its strength and stop growing. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for boosting your hair follicles.
(4) Petroleum-based styling waxes can block hair follicles and cause them to stop growing. Stick to water-based products.
(5) Having an excess of male hormones may not sound like a bad thing, but testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can have an adverse effect on certain parts of the hair follicle.
(6) A lack of dietary iron can also lead to hair loss. If you don’t have enough iron, your levels of ferritin drop (this is a molecule that stores iron in the body and releases it in a controlled way).
This in turn disrupts the normal hair growth cycle and increases hair shedding. Eating foods rich in iron, such as red meat, dark green vegetables, nuts and dried fruits, will help reduce this excess hair shedding.
(7) Frequent coloring of the hair — either an all over dye or highlights — can lead to hair loss. Using significant amounts of bleach (found in nearly all hair lightening products) can strip it of its natural moisture, leading to dry, brittle hair that breaks easily.
(8) Smoking can make your hair fall out as may also damage blood supply to the hair follicle. The free radicals produced from smoking and environmental factors such as pollution could also affect hair follicles, leading to hair loss.
