How To Stop Hair Loss In Its Tracks

How to prevent and stop hair loss in its tracks. Photo: Getty Images

When the strands in your brush start to outnumber the ones on your head, it can be distressing, here we break down the common causes of hair loss and ways to fight back.

WHAT IS IT
Hair thinning is a reduction in the hair follicle diameter. "Hair becomes finer and lacks bounce, and the scalp becomes visible," explains Dr Bruno A Bernard, L’Oréal fellow and haircare biology expert. Other telltale signs: your ponytail becomes a little thinner, or your hair part appears to be widening.

WHY
"Lack of hair density occurs when the follicles enter a longer dormant phase, after which the hair is simply lost or shed,” says Dr Bernard. “With age, the duration of the growing phase decreases while the duration of the resting phase increases.” Other factors include lifestyle, pregnancy, hormones, stress, illness, genes and diet.

WHERE
For women, hair thinning occurs around the front hairline and at the top of the scalp, with the back of the head and sides occasionally showing signs of loss. “As the thinning process continues, the midline part begins to widen, and thinning is more visible,” explains Dr Bernard.

Despite having similar symptoms, there are subtle differences between the three main categories of hair reduction:

1. Hair thinning: The diameter of each strand shrinks, usually around your mid 30s, and hair becomes weaker and finer over time.
2. Alopecia: This autoimmune disease causes bald patches. "Thinning hair almost always happens before alopecia, and one could consider it a predictive sign,” warns Dr Bernard.
3. Hair loss: This is when the number of strands shed each day exceeds the norm (around 100–150 strands per day). The hair follicle separates from the scalp, and it’s often the final step in the hair thinning process.

TAKE ACTION

Many women notice hair loss following stressful periods – sometimes even up to two months after the episode has passed.

"Stress can trigger a shock in the system resulting in short-term hair loss, as well as being a risk factor of alopecia where the immune system attacks the hair follicles," explains Swisse’s Sherree Banh, who suggests trying to manage stress levels by taking a time-out, and doing light exercise, such as yoga or going for a walk.

Hair needs energy to grow, so your overall health and wellbeing goes a long way to attaining healthy hair and scalp. Commit to regular exercise, adequate water consumption, and "include lots of seafood, nuts and dark green leafy vegetables in your diet to boost your intake of protein, iron and B vitamins", says Swisse nutritionist Sherree Banh.

For women over 50, a decrease in appetite and physical activity can lead to a reduction in nutrients and vitamin D, both essential for scalp health, and “some medication, like anticoagulants and antidepressants, can also be a factor in hair loss”, says Banh (consult your doctor).

If you want to try supplements, opt for: silica – a protein that aids collagen formation, essential for hair structure; zinc – an antioxidant that protects against free radical damage, which has been linked to hair loss; vitamin C – the lack of which can lead to reduced collagen synthesis.

Also try to maintain the integrity of the hair fibre: keep the scalp clear of chemicals, and reduce heated styling and exposure to chlorine; avoid brisk brushing and tight styles; and give yourself a gentle massage when shampooing.

THE KIT:

1. Bumble and bumble Full Potential Hair Preserving Shampoo, $44, and Conditioner, $49. The exfoliating cleanser and nourishing conditioner help preserve strength for less breakage.
2. Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Ultra Strengthening Mask, $8.95. Used weekly, the ceramides and fruit concentrates work to reinforce the hair fbre.
3. Klorane Strengthening Serum, $32.95. This leave-in treatment features a combination of strengthening quinine and energising caffeine to reinvigorate stressed hair. Massage thoroughly to aid absorption.
4. TRESemmé Youth Boost Youth Correcting Essence, $10.99. Inspired by anti-ageing skincare, this is packed with omega 3 and antioxidants to tackle dryness and loss of volume. Apply overnight for an intensive treatment.
5. L’Oréal Professionnel Serioxyl Densifying Mousse, $95 as part of a kit of three products. This styling-meets-strengthening treatment (patented ingredients stimulate dormant hair follicles to promote growth) is specially formulated for coloured hair.