You don’t have to spend a fortune to have shiny hair. There are lots of expensive masks, serums, and treatments out there, but you can get shiny, thick hair for almost nothing.
Dr. Sophie Shotter shares some cheap and cheerful ways to reduce hair loss and keep your hair healthy, from vitamins to the shampoo she swears by.
Speaking on the Age Well podcast, Sophie explained that there are many reasons why your hair might start falling out, so if you’re concerned about hair loss, your first step should be to talk to your doctor.
However, there are some little tips and tricks that most people can use to keep their mane looking shiny.
Biotin health benefits
Biotin has been all the rage in the hair care world for a while now, and for good reason.
Vitamin B7 is often used to help people suffering from hair loss and brittle nails, but there is no scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness and many people believe in vitamin B7.
You can buy it from Holland & Barrett for £6.99, but be aware that it may not work for everyone.
‘If you’re not deficient in biotin, no matter how much you consume, it will have relatively little effect on your hair,’ explains Sophie.
That said, most people can benefit from taking certain supplements, such as iron, zinc, magnesium B12, and vitamin D, but be sure to check with your doctor first.
Sophie recommended “taking an iron supplement containing vitamin C, which helps with iron absorption,” specifically to improve hair loss.
How often should you wash your hair
There is no hard and fast rule for how often you should wash your hair, as everyone’s hair is different.
However, don’t over-clean or over-clean your locks. This can cause further problems.
“It’s wise to wash your hair at least three times a week,” says the doctor.
How to choose the right shampoo
Sophie said that while hair growth shampoos don’t treat specific conditions such as hair loss, they can be effective for many people.
Therefore, don’t let go of your volumizing shampoo just yet. If you have fine or thinning hair, incorporating shampoo into your hair routine can be a good step.
In particular, Sophie raved about two products: Pureology shampoo. snap The boots are available for £23 and the K18 hair mask is available from SpaceNK for £30.
Sophie even said she prefers the K18 hair mask to Olaplex products, which are a cult favorite among hair fans.
Reasons for thinning hair
genetics
Is your father bald? Or has your mom’s hair thinned significantly after her 35th birthday?
Unfortunately, your family history TV’s Dr. Amir said hair loss is the biggest determining factor in whether or not you will lose your hair as you get older.
“This is a cause of pattern hair loss in both men and women, and it tends to occur gradually and has a predictable pattern,” he said in a video he shared on Instagram.
hormonal changes
Temporary or permanent hair loss can occur in both men and women due to changes in hormone levels.
“This is especially true for menopausal people,” experts say.
His type of hair loss is known as androgenetic alopecia, and is very similar to male pattern baldness, which starts at the top of the head.
During menopause, estrogen and progesterone rapidly decline, inadvertently creating an increased “playground” for androgens.
Estrogens and progesterone are primarily female hormones, and androgens are male hormones.
Excess androgens are associated with hair loss.
alopecia
In people with alopecia, the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss. This can occur anywhere on the body.
According to charity Alopecia UK, around 400,000 people in the UK have or have had the condition.
The cause is unknown, but iron deficiency and stress can cause this condition, although many experts dispute this.
In some cases, alopecia areata can transform into alopecia totalis, if the hair loss spreads over the entire head, or alopecia universalis, if it is all over the body.
There is currently no cure for this condition, but there are several treatments, all of which are guaranteed to be effective.
medicine
Medications used to treat cancer, arthritis, heart disease, and depression can all cause hair loss.
However, don’t stop taking prescription medications without talking to your doctor.
Malnutrition
Not getting enough of the right nutrients can be the cause of sudden hair loss
According to the NHS, this includes diets that are too low in protein and iron.
It may be a good idea to see your doctor, get blood tests done to check for nutritional deficiencies, and consider boosting your levels of certain vitamins with the help of supplements.
Treatment for thinning hair: is it effective?
Most hair loss requires no treatment and is either:
- It’s temporary and will grow again
- a normal part of aging
Hair loss due to medical conditions usually stops or grows back once the hair has healed.
If you are suffering from hair loss, there are some things you can try. However, most treatments are not available on the NHS and you will need to pay for the treatment.
No treatment is 100% effective.
The main treatments for male pattern baldness are finasteride and minoxidil.
Some wigs are available on the NHS, but you may have to pay for them unless you qualify for financial support.
Other hair loss treatment options include steroid injections or creams, immunotherapy, light therapy, tattooing, hair transplants, and scalp reduction surgery.
Source: NHS
