Hair loss in women has been a hot topic for ages, and it’s something we at Intrigue Pages are keen to discuss.
Shedding some hair in the shower or throughout the day is normal. However, if you’ve been noticing more hair strands in the drain lately, you might be in the early stages of hair loss. Naturally, your first instinct might be to change your diet, adjust your hair routine, take vitamins, and try all the at-home remedies you find online. But, making these changes can be frustrating and often pointless if you don’t know the root cause of the problem.
Hair loss in women is common, and many factors could be contribute to it. Let’s look into some often-overlooked habits that could possibly contribute to hair loss.
01
Not Looking into Certain Medication Side Effects
Not learning the side effects of the medications you’re taking can also be a culprit to your sudden hair loss. Certain drugs are known to cause hair shedding, like hormonal birth control, blood pressure medications, or certain antidepressants drugs.
To avoid this issue, always ask your doctor if hair loss is a side effect before starting any new medication. If it is, and a concern for you, your doctor might be able to prescribe a different medicine that still addresses your underlying problem without unwanted surprises.
02
Tight Hairstyles
Wearing tight hairstyles like ponytails or buns while working out can lead to a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia. This happens because the constant pulling puts stress on the hair follicles, causing damage and potentially leading to permanent hair loss if not addressed early.
Yes, you can lose hair over time if you don’t protect it during workouts
This is a common habit that’s often overlooked but not everyone realizes that hair is especially vulnerable during a workout.
It’s true—you can lose hair over time if you don’t protect it during workouts. Many people don’t realize that hair is especially vulnerable during exercise. When you work out, your hair is in a weaker state and more likely to get damaged. Moisture from sweat makes hair more prone to breakage, and combining sweat with tight hairstyles can lead to hair loss. Sweat can also clog hair follicles and disrupt hair growth, adding to the risk of hair loss for women who frequently wear tight hairstyles while busy in the gym.
Things you can do to Prevent Workout-Related Hair Loss
If you’re worried about losing hair because of your workout hairstyles, there are several things you can do to prevent this. With these small adjustments, you can keep your hair looking healthy and full, even with a regular workout routine.
Avoid Tight Hairstyles During Workouts
One of the main culprits of workout-related hair loss is wearing tight hairstyles like ponytails and buns, as we mentioned earlier. While it’s fine to wear tight hairstyles occasionally, doing so while exercising, especially if you work out 3-5 times a week, can harm your hair follicles. The constant pulling and tension on your hair can lead to permanent hair loss over time.
To keep your hair healthy, try these tips:
- Opt for Looser Styles: Choose hairstyles that don’t pull on your scalp. Loose braids or low ponytails are good options.
- Switch It Up: Don’t wear the same hairstyle every time you work out. Changing your hairstyle can reduce stress on the same areas of your scalp.
- Use Gentle Hair Ties: Look for hair ties that are made of soft, stretchy material to reduce pulling and breakage.
Wear Loose Hairstyles If You Are a Regular Gym Goer
Finding the right hairstyle for the gym can be tricky, especially when you want to keep your hair out of your face. A loose braid is a great option for a gym hairstyle. It keeps your hair in place without pulling, letting you work out comfortably. Another good choice is a low ponytail with a silk or satin scrunchie. Just make sure to keep it loose around your hairline. Changing your hairstyle now and then also helps reduce repeated pulling on the same area, giving your hair follicles time to recover.
Wearing a headband while you work out is another smart idea. It keeps your hair out of your face and, when combined with a loose braid or ponytail, helps prevent pulling. Plus, a headband can keep sweat away from your forehead and scalp, which helps prevent irritation.
03
Exposure to High Heat
We’ve all heard warnings about using too much heat on our hair. Blow dryers, curling irons, straighteners—these tools often get a bad rap. But heat itself isn’t always bad for your hair. Healthy hair can handle temperatures up to 232°C once in a while. However, if you use these hot tools regularly, you might end up with heat damage. A study from the American Chemical Society even found that hair care products release harmful chemicals called VOCs, and the problem gets worse when you use hot styling tools.
Heat damage doesn’t make your scalp show more, so it’s not like typical hair loss where hair falls out from the root. Instead, you might notice your hair looking thinner or breaking more easily than before.
How to Protect Your Hair From Heat Damage
Experts recommend using the cool setting on your hair dryer and avoiding other hot styling tools. If that sounds impossible—we get it, you want to follow tips you can enjoy while using your favorite styling tools without causing too much damage to your hair.
Here’s what you can do instead:
Use a heat protectant: Always apply a heat-protectant product to your hair before using any hot tools.
Stick to medium settings: Keep your hot tools on medium settings, usually around 200 degrees.
Limit passes: Don’t go over the same section of hair repeatedly. One pass with the flatiron should be enough. Additionally, Use a wide-spaced, even-toothed comb to avoid your hair getting stuck and breaking.
Take note: Hair health starts at the root and taking these steps to ensure your scalp and hair follicles are healthy will help prevent permanent hair loss.
What Are the Early Signs to Watch Out For?
Hair loss from tight hairstyles happens gradually, so spotting the early signs can help prevent lasting damage. Look out for signs like a receding hairline, broken hairs around your forehead, or patches where hair is pulled tightly. Take time each month to check your hair. If you see any of these signs, it means your hairstyle might be harming your hair.
When hair is constantly pulled tightly, it can stop growing in those areas. You might start to see shiny, bald patches. If hair loss from traction alopecia gets to this point, it can disrupt hair growth.
