Top Five Tips to Getting Healthier, Fuller Looking Hair

Dreaming of having thick, beautiful hair is completely normal. Unfortunately, as people get older, thinning hair or hair loss is increasingly common. Seeking solutions is natural. The problem is that even a pricy hair loss treatment may not solve the issue. That’s because there’s often an underlying cause. It’s not just about hair. It’s also about health. 

It’s impossible to have healthy hair without a healthy body. That’s why choosing even the best shampoos may not make a difference. Taking a full-body approach is key. That means identifying the underlying reasons for thinning, damaged hair, or even for hair falling out. Keep reading to learn the five best tips for having healthy hair along with why damaged hair may be a symptom of a larger issue and how at-home testing can help.

1. Shampoo and Condition as Needed

Lather, rinse, repeat. In a story by Benjamin Cheever called The Plagiarist, a creative copywriter doubles a shampoo maker’s sales by adding one word: repeat. Now customers would use twice as much of the product. Although the origin of the line is made up, there’s no question that repeating the hair washing process uses more shampoo – which accelerates shampoo manufacturers’ profits. However, anyone worrying about thinning hair should ignore the advice. In fact, not only are people advised not to repeat, experts suggest that those with dry hair move to an every other day schedule. Only oily hair requires consistent daily treatment. 

Still, when it comes to the best shampoos, it’s not about what companies add to the product. It’s what they leave out. So while ignoring the advice to “repeat” shampooing is a good idea, it’s still important to read the label on the bottle. Consumers should avoid any shampoos containing harsh, potentially damaging ingredients including sulfates like ammonium lauryl or sodium lauryl. Although they create a lathering foam they can lead to hair loss by damaging follicles – and the additive may be harmful to the body as well. Other ingredients left out of the best shampoos include parabens, (which can affect human hormones) and formaldehyde (a known carcinogen). 

Avoiding synthetic fragrances and colors is also a good idea. However, some sulfates are derived from plant sources. Because of this, they are considered less likely to cause hair loss than those derived from animals or chemicals. Although the best shampoos aren’t cheap, even pricy products can contain hair-damaging ingredients. 

The risk of hair loss increases when it’s wet because the possibility of it breaking roughly triples. It’s a good idea to gently towel dry damp hair before using a wide-toothed comb to deal with tangles. Avoid roughly towel drying hair.

Because hair loss or thinning hair is often tied to hormonal imbalances, it’s a good idea to get tested. Studies have confirmed that parabens in shampoos are known endocrine disruptors – “natural or human-made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones, which are part of the endocrine system,” according to the National Institutes of Health.  

Before spending money on hair loss treatment, anyone experiencing issues with their hair should have their hormonal levels looked at. Fortunately, this can be done quickly and inexpensively without having to travel to a doctor’s office. 

Kyla Clinics offers an array of at-home tests, including a hormone panel that looks at estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid levels among others. Anyone worried about hair loss in women, for example, should consider the female hormone panel which also includes menopause markers. 

The male hormone panel also looks at total testosterone. Many men spend thousands of dollars dealing with thinning hair, having a receding hairline or male pattern baldness. Yet Kyla Clinics offers a full selection of tests for just $99.00. These tests can be taken at home, with just a few drops of blood. Kyla’s customized blood testing program provides valuable insights into the body’s internal workings. It also delivers guidance for improvement. That can help people not only overcome hair loss but also enhance their well-being, optimize performance, and maintain health as they age.

2. Eat Foods Loaded with Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals

Getting the recommended daily intake of 45 grams of protein will do far more to promote healthy hair growth than even the best shampoos. It doesn’t matter how much someone spends for a hair loss treatment. It will be money wasted if they have unhealthy eating habits. Slathering on conditioner will do less to prevent brittle hair and split ends than adding almonds to the daily diet. It makes sense. The hair is mainly made up of proteins – especially keratin. That’s why the nutrient is so vital not only to reduce hair loss but to promote healthy skin and nails as well. 

Eating lean poultry or fish along with eggs, beans, low-fat dairy and legumes can really improve growth and shine. Vitamins and minerals are also vital for lovely locks. In fact, dermatologists have linked thinning hair to inadequate levels of biotin. This B vitamin is found in red meat, chicken, and fish along with sweet potatoes, eggs, and nuts. Zinc is an essential mineral that helps promote thick, healthy hair. Eating cashews, walnuts, pecans or Brazil nuts will reduce any zinc deficiency while reducing hair loss. 

Anemia is a common cause of hair loss in women. Getting sufficient iron is vital. It can be found in lean healthy meats like chicken and fish. Vegetarians can enjoy fortified cereals and other foods with added iron along with dark chocolate and white beans. 

Salads filled with leafy greens can also help promote healthy hair. As with all things, plenty of clean, filtered water is a must. 

Anyone concerned about a vitamin or mineral deficiency should consider a primary care panel from Kyla Clinics. This simple at-home test can uncover the underlying reasons behind common concerns like hair loss in women or male pattern baldness. Along with examining vitamin and mineral deficiencies, this $99 test looks at blood sugar, heart health, and cortisol and thyroid levels. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, low-calorie or crash diets can lead to damaged hair or even hair falling out. Often hair loss in women can be linked to poor diet. Diets that are good for the body are also good for the hair. 

3.  Avoid the Vices

Pretty much anything bad for one’s body is bad for the hair. Although moderate alcohol consumption isn’t harmful, consuming more than two drinks per day may lead to hair loss. A diuretic, alcohol can not only dehydrate the body but the hair as well. Drinking too much can lead to everything from split ends to dandruff. The best shampoos in the world will not help improve hair growth if someone is drinking excessively. Anyone concerned about hair falling out should first examine their drinking. 

Besides pulling water from the body, drinking also impacts nutrition. The empty calories in alcohol create a feeling of fullness – potentially displacing healthy calories from food. However, eating healthy meals while drinking excessively doesn’t mean nutritional needs will be met. That’s because alcohol inhibits the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals – especially the B vitamin biotin, iron, and zinc. 

Smoking dries out hair and promotes split ends. When it comes to hair loss, It doesn’t really matter if the person is smoking or just in a smoke-filled room. Nicotine that accumulates in the shaft and follicles of the hair can lead to thinning hair or even hair falling out. Finally, anyone hoping to promote hair growth needs to examine their prescription medications. Drugs for heart problems, high blood pressure, arthritis and depression have been linked to hair loss.

4. Avoid excessive cold and heat 

Extreme temperatures can also contribute to hair loss, which is why it’s important to avoid using excessively hot water when showering or bathing. The same rule applies to blow drying. One great way to maintain healthy hair is to let it air dry. It’s also important to wear a cap when swimming – especially in chlorinated water. 

In the water or in the outside air, temperature extremes can shock the strands. That’s because very hot or very cold weather has a similar effect. It dries hair out, leaving it brittle. Hats and sun umbrellas can help. Those worried about their thinning hair would do well to avoid temperature extremes. 

5. Getting Tested Can Promote Healthy Hair Growth 

It’s important to keep in mind that even healthy people regularly shed up to 100 strands of hair every day. That means finding the occasional shower clump or errant strands in a hairbrush doesn’t necessarily mean something’s wrong. The bigger issue is when hair loss is visibly apparent, either through a receding hairline, thinning hair, hair loss in women or male pattern baldness. 

There are many reasons for hair loss in women or male pattern baldness. Decreased levels of the thyroid hormone, excessive stress, blood thinners – there’s a myriad collection of causes. That’s why it’s important to have blood work done before embarking on an expensive journey of hair loss treatment. To achieve healthy hair growth, the body has to be examined holistically. That’s why testing from Kyla is so valuable. It provides insights into an individual’s critical hormone levels which can impact hair growth. Along with examining hair loss indicators, Kyla’s tests look at  cardiovascular health, blood sugar, liver and kidney function, inflammation markers, and thyroid health for optimal vitality and overall well-being.

This means more than just discovering solutions to male pattern baldness and hair loss in women. It also means ensuring consistent energy levels by evaluating thyroid function, handling stress with cortisol level awareness, and overseeing prostate health for peace of mind. 

Kyla becomes a gateway to a healthier, well-rounded life thanks to its AI-driven action plans. These do more than just reveal potential obstacles to healthy hair and a healthy body. They also enable people by helping them to lengthen their healthspan from the comfort of their home.

Sources:

1. Turkel, Bruce. “The Purpose of “Lather, Rinse, Repeat,” Bruce Turkel. https://bruceturkel.com/blog/lather-rinse-repeat/
2. “Nine Tricks for Healthier, Fuller-Looking Hair,” Healthline. February 6, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/health/tricks-healthier-fuller-hair
3. “Tips for Healthy Hair,” American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/tips-healthy-hair
4. Drillinger, Meagan. “The Chemicals to Avoid in Your Shampoo and Body Wash,” Healthline. October 7, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/the-chemicals-to-avoid-in-your-shampoo-and-body-wash#What-the-study-found
5. “Endocrine Disruptors,” National Institutes of Environmental Sciences at the National Institutes of Health. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine
6. Yang, Fei-Chi et al. “The Structure of People’s Hair.” PeerJournal. October 2014. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201279/
7. Davis, Kathleen. FNP, “Is Alcohol Bad For Your Hair?” Medical News Today. September 24, 2023. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/is-alcohol-bad-for-your-hair
8. “What Causes Hair Loss?” American Academy of Dermatologists. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/18-causes
9. Babadjouni, Arash et al. “The Effects of Smoking on Hair Health: A Systematic Review.” Skin appendage disorders. June 7, 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34307472/