5 Everyday Habits That Lead To Hair Loss

Waking up to fins your pillow laced with the strands which should be attached to your head is a nightmare that scares the living daylight out of anyone and everyone. When it comes to protecting our hair from untimely hair fall and breakage, you cannot afford to leave any stone un turned. Hereditary hair loss is beyond control and preventing stress-induced hair fall is easier said than done. However, there are some habits and lifestyle related choices which can really worsen your hair problems and are perfectly under your control.

Here are 5 habits which might be the reason behind your thinning hair:

* Skipping meals

When you skip meals and starve yourself, it forces your body to direct its energy, whatever little amount it has, towards the essential functions-like helping your heart and brain function-rather than promoting hair health and growth. Since hair is primarily made up of protein, if you want to save your strands from unnecessary breakage, it is important that you nourish your body by consuming a healthy diet which is rich in protein like lentil, fish, eggs, meat etc. that helps in maintaining one's hair health.

* Hot showers and heat treatments

The magical powers of hot showers cannot be contested but they may the reason for the hairball in your clogged drains in the bathroom. Hot water can dehydrate your strands leading to dry, brittle hair which are more prone to breakage and fall out while washing out.Hot water strips the scalp of all nourishment and oils which sends it into overdrive to produce more of the oils eventually causing more shedding.Heat treatment, whether it's from using blow dryer, flatiron, curling iron or any other hot tools which you are used to as a morning regimen leads to thinning of hair. It creates air bubbles within the hair shaft that make individual hairs more prone to breakage.

* Mishandling wet hair

Wet hair is saturated with water is more fragileand prone to breakage than dry hair. This is primarily because the protective cuticle in wet hair is slightly raised. If you are used to brushing or combing locks in the shower or aggressive towel-drying after shampooing your locks, you create the perfect storm for snapping it off.

* Tight hairstyles

If you are used to wearing your hair in a tight ponytail, a bun or any other tight hairstyle, you are making way for more hair fall. Hair follicles are stressed and eventually damaged when there is excessive tension from tight hairstyles. In certain extreme scenarios, it can even result in traction alopecia, a condition that permanently weakens the follicle making it impossible for the hair to grow.

* Excessive hairstyling products

Hair products that claim to keep the locks intact for a long time can cause more harm than one realizes. Most of the hair styling products have high alcohol content in them because of which they can make hair dry and brittle. The residue of these products causes the hair to break and fall. If you are fond of colouring your hair, the harsh chemicals involved in dramatic colour change leave your hair weaker and more prone to breakage.