Six things you do every day that thin your hair (and how to avoid them)

I seem to spend my life gathering lengthy ginger hairs around the household. In the hairbrush, attached to clothes, that little ball scrunched up on the shower wall… But, that’s normal. We lose around 120 strands a day, so don’t be alarmed if you’re the same. If you find that your locks aren’t growing back after shedding, that could be a reaction to something (or many, many things) happening in the body. Get to know the cause to protect those locks of yours. Here are the six most common culprits (and what to do about it).

By Rachel Spedding

• 1 You're using your straighteners too much

  Heat is never good news for our hair (whether that’s from the sun or your trusty GHDs). Styling tools – hair dryer included – can dry out your strands and cause them to break. Heat weakens the hair shaft, and can actually burn locks straight off. Try lowering the temperature gage so that there’s less stress on your strands.
• 2 You need a break from hair dye

  As well as heat from your favourite curling wand, dyeing your hair can break it off too. Chemical damage can cause your locks to lose their elasticity (‘over processing’ is the proper word for it). Try taking a break from hair dyeing (for around a month or so), and investing in a deep conditioning treatment instead – FYI, root regrowth looks cool, embrace it. ​
• 3 You're not brushing enough

  Plot twist – underbrushing is a thing. Your hair ‘lives’ for around seven years, but regular brushing encourages the fall-out cycle (those 120 strands we mentioned earlier). That’s because it stimulates the scalp, allowing follicles to perform their old-new routine. Be gentle though, and use a wide-tooth comb if possible. Detangling spray might come in handy too…
• 4 It could be the weather

  Yes, really. A change in season can affect the hydration of your hair – as well as the activities that come with it. Sunshine, for example, can dry out your strands, while swimming pools may have an affect on that freshly-dyed colour. Get a trim before the summer season starts (and throughout the year in fact), to rid damaged hairs and keep your locks healthier in the long-run.
• 5 Or your baby

  Around 3-4 months after having a baby, you may experience some shedding. That’s because oestrogen levels are higher while you’re pregnant (hence the thicker locks you’ll be sporting for nine months), then drops once you’ve given birth. It’s pretty common, and your hair will most likely grow back to its usual thickness pretty quickly. ​
• 6 But it's also in the genes

  Yep, you could actually be genetically prone to thinning hair. The hormone-induced sensitivity causes your follicles to shrink, meaning a gradual reduction in hair volume. There are ways to work with finer hair to keep it looking tip-top – give it a read.

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