8 tips to combat hair loss and promote healthy hair growth

If you’re frustrated by losing your hair, you’re not alone. While even healthy people lose up to 100 hair strands a day, an estimated 80 million Americans experience more impactful hair loss due to genetics, stress, hormones, lifestyle and nutritional choices, and certain medical treatments.¹

The most effective hair loss treatment is dependent on the underlying cause, which can vary from person to person, but there are some guiding principles — and tips — to help you on your hair growth journey. To address your specific concerns regarding hair loss, it’s best to consult a dermatologist.

What you eat (and don’t eat) can play a large role in the health of your hair, as nutritional deficiencies and restrictive diets can cause telogen effluvium, commonly known as temporary hair loss.²

Because hair follicles are mostly protein, a lack of protein results in a lack of support for hair growth.³ Foods that are rich in protein include everything from lean meats and eggs to fish and dairy.⁴ But if you’re looking to support both hair growth and thickness, try adding essential fatty acids — particularly omega-3s — into your diet.⁵ These are your foods like salmon, tuna, and vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.⁶

The products you use on your hair can also play a role in its health and growth. Things to remember include:

• Carefully wash and shampoo: If your hair is already fragile and thinning, it’s vulnerable to additional damage from harsh products and handling. Be gentle when washing, and use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, like the Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Shampoo and Aveeno® Oat Milk Daily Moisture Conditioner that will coat the strands instead of stripping the moisture.⁹ For an extra layer of protection consider switching to a leave-in conditioner to help reduce breakage and mend hair shafts.⁷
  
• Limit the use of heat and chemicals: When you use hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons, the heat might give you the style you want, but it’s also causing the hair to heat up — which can cause damage. If you want to use the blow dryer, switch to the lowest heat setting. As for perms, coloring, and chemical straightening, it’s best to leave it to a professional salon, as they can make sure they’re using products that will minimize any damage.⁸
  
• Incorporate essential oils: People have been using essential oils for various purposes for centuries, and they’re known for their ability to not only moisturize hair but boost the health of the scalp. It’s important to read the instructions on how to dilute certain oils for use, and you only need a couple of drops in your shampoo and/or conditioner. Popular essential oils for hair health include:⁹ jojoba, chamomile, sandalwood, rosemary and clary sage.

There are simple, everyday steps you can take that can have a big impact on preventing future hair loss, including:

• Avoid wearing tight ponytails and braids, and twisting your hair, as this can further weaken fragile hair and cause additional hair loss.¹⁰
• Don’t go to bed with wet hair, as wet hair is more vulnerable to breakage than dry hair, and use a silk or satin pillowcase when possible — this can reduce friction and tugging while you sleep.¹¹
• It’s no secret smoking is bad for your health, and that also applies to the health of your hair. The use of nicotine causes damage in the DNA of the hair follicle, which can lead to additional hair loss.¹

When it comes to hair loss treatment for men and women, one way to experience proven results is by using Rogaine®, which has been the industry leader in hair regrowth treatment for more than 35 years. The first FDA-approved brand to treat hair loss, Rogaine® is specially formulated to help you grow thicker, fuller hair.

Ninety percent of men who used Rogaine® foam twice daily for 16 weeks noticed results, and more than 80% of women using Women’s Rogaine® foam once a day also saw an increase in their hair count.¹²