How to Fight Hair Loss in Teens

Use products specifically for your hair type. You can feel overwhelmed when faced with the stalls full of products at the hair care store. But taking the time to read the labels and find the right shampoo and conditioner formulated for your specific needs will help with the treatment. For example, if you dye your hair, use a product specifically designed for the dyed hair being treated. If your hair has been chemically treated or damaged, consider a “2 in 1” shampoo. ^[15] Some hair experts recommend using a gentler baby shampoo for hair. ^[16] Regardless of cost, many brands of baby shampoo and conditioner offer similar benefits. Don’t think you have to spend a fortune to get a good hair product.

• Be wary of products that are advertised as anti-hair loss or help hair growth that have not been tested. ^[17]
• Seek advice from your hairstylist or dermatologist for advice on what hair products are best for you.

Maintain a regular hair-washing routine. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and conditioner once a day or every other day, especially if you have oily hair. You might think that washing your hair daily will actually speed up hair loss, but that’s not the case. Hair follicles cannot function properly when they are affected by dirt or oil. ^[18] Regular shampooing improves the health of hair follicles and prevents excessive hair loss that leads to hair loss.

• Focus on cleaning your scalp with shampoo instead of just cleaning your hair. Just cleaning your hair will make it dry, leading to hair breakage and loss. ^[19]
• Apply conditioner after each shampoo to moisturize and improve hair strength. Unlike shampoo, you should avoid letting conditioner come into contact with your scalp and follow the directions for use. ^[20] Applying conditioner to the scalp can clog and adversely affect hair follicles. ^[21]
• Avoid rubbing your hair vigorously with a towel after bathing – it can break and damage your hair.

Protects hair from the effects of heat. Heat from blow dryers, curlers, and straighteners can damage hair, causing it to break and fall out. ^[22] Avoid heat processes that can damage hair by: letting air dry your hair and experimenting with a hairstyle that matches your hair’s natural texture.

• You may have to use heat to style your hair for special occasions. If you must style your hair with heat, protect it with the right products. ^[23]

Avoid stretching your hair. ^[24] Hair loss can also be caused by stretching hair strands over a period of time. Avoid tight braids, ponytails, or other hairstyles that strain your hair. When combing, curling or straightening your hair, avoid tugging at your hair. Use a thin comb to gently remove tangles. ^[25] Also, avoid playing with your hair or combing it back from the tips to the roots.

Style only when hair is dry. Wet hair is prone to damage and breaks when stretched. If you’re going to braid or curl your hair in any way, wait until your hair is dry. ^[26]

Reduce chemical exposure. Be careful if you regularly dye your hair or use chemicals for your hair. Chemical processes such as straightening or hot curling can damage and weaken hair follicles, leading to breakage and hair loss. ^[27] Prolonged exposure to chemicals in swimming pools can have the same effect. ^[28]

• Whenever possible, avoid using chemicals on your hair.
• Wear a swim cap when swimming to protect your hair. Use a hair care product specifically made for swimmers to add moisture to your scalp and hair if you regularly go swimming.

Maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. The right diet will give you the vitamins and minerals you need to have strong hair. An unbalanced diet (for vegans or people with eating disorders) often leads to hair loss. ^[29] To prevent this, add the following to your diet: ^[30]

• Iron and zinc: This mineral is found in lean red meat, soybeans and lentils. They help in the growth of hair follicles. ^[31]
• Protein: meat, fish, beans, nuts, yogurt promote hair growth and repair. ^[32]
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fatty fish like salmon will improve hair strength and shine. Some other benefits include reducing depression and improving heart health.
• Biotin: This B vitamin found in eggs is important for the healthy growth of all cells, including hair. ^[33]

Add enough vitamins to your diet. Some vitamins, like vitamin D, help with hair growth but are difficult to get through food. Vitamin D supplements (about 1,000 IU per day) can help improve your hair. ^[34] Take B vitamins like biotin, vitamin E, zinc and magnesium supplements once a day to make sure you’re consuming essential vitamins and minerals.

• Although there is no direct correlation between vitamin supplements and hair loss prevention, supplements will help maintain hair and body health.

Address any causes of stress in your life. Hair loss can be related to prolonged stress or a traumatic event such as an accident or surgery. If your hair is in the “Telogen effluvium” phase of hair loss, you may lose 1/2 to 3/4 of your hair and see it fall in clumps when you wash, comb, or run your fingers through it. . ^[35] This problem is usually temporary and will return to normal in 6 to 9 months, but it can become chronic if you don’t address the stress. Once the stress has been resolved, the hair will grow back. ^[36]

• Do some stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation, or jogging. Make time for habits you love, and focus on bringing a sense of calm and peace into your life.
• If you feel like you can’t handle stress, talk to a therapist or counselor for stress relief and recovery.

Use over-the-counter hair loss medications. Over-the-counter drugs such as Rogaine hair growth pill will work well if used continuously, but only for the purpose of stopping hair loss, not for hair growth. ^[37] However, hair can regrow in some cases. You may find that new hair grows shorter and thinner than normal hair and it slows down if you stop taking the medicine. ^[38]

• Do not take Rogaine if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Talk to a dermatologist if symptoms become severe. ^[39] The problem of rapid hair loss in adolescents requires the help of a medical professional. Unusual hair loss, where many patches of hair fall out or in just one area, can also be a sign of a more serious condition. Symptoms such as pain, itching, redness, scaling, or other obvious abnormalities should be noted, as should alopecia areata accompanied by weight gain, muscle weakness, or being cold or easily fatigued. .

• Your dermatologist will review your medical history and perform a hair and scalp exam to diagnose the cause of your hair loss.
• They may also do other tests such as blood tests to rule out disease; microscopic examination of broken hair; or have a skin biopsy.

Give your dermatologist accurate information. During the examination and testing, the dermatologist will ask a series of questions. Please be prepared to provide the following information: ^[40]

• Are you only losing hair on your head or are you losing hair on other parts of your body?
• Do you notice a pattern of your hair loss such as a receding hairline or thinning of the hair on your forehead, or hair loss all over your head?
• Do you dye your hair?
• Do you use a hair dryer? How often?
• What kind of shampoo do you use? Do you use other hair products like gels or hair sprays?
• Have you been sick or have a high fever recently?
• Have you been experiencing unusual stress lately?
• Do you pull your hair or rub your scalp when you’re nervous?
• Do you take any medications, including over-the-counter medicines?

Ask for prescription medication to treat baldness. ^[41] Dermatologists may prescribe finasteride (brand name Propecia). It will be prescribed in pill form and needs to be taken daily. However, the purpose of this medication is to stop hair loss, not to regrow hair.

• Propecia is usually prescribed for men, as it can cause a risk of birth defects if used in pregnant women.

Ask your doctor to change your medication if necessary. ^[42] If hair loss is a side effect of a medication you’re taking to treat another condition — like acne or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) — your doctor may change your medication.

• Never stop taking your medication as it can make your condition worse.
• If you are suffering from diabetes or thyroid disease, with proper care, hair loss will decrease or stop.