Hygiene and Hair Loss

Hair loss affects men and women. Whilst it is normal to naturally lose a certain amount of hair the standard of personal hygiene you maintain can also become a contributing factor to your hair’s health.

Over Washing

Over washing the hair has often been blamed as being one reason why hair loss increases. This is because during the hair washing process weak hair naturally falls out. The actual process of cleaning the hair using products does not reflect on the condition of the hair or the amount of hair loss and therefore should not be used as the primarily cause of hair loss.

The stimulation of the scalp, during hair washing, actually has the opposite effect and encourages hair to grow. Washing your hair everyday, in order to keep it clean, makes no difference to the health of your hair, as hair loss is the result of unhealthy hair becoming weak and shedding.

Sebum Overproduction

The oily substance that is naturally produced and secreted by the sebaceous glands is known as sebum. The glands in the follicles of the hair control hair growth and health and sebum works to condition the hair so that it is lubricated and able to grow along the follicle.

A lack of hair hygiene, especially during puberty when sebum overproduction is most likely, may cause a think of layer of sebum to form on the scalp and in the hair and can create other problems concerning the skin. Clogging of the follicle can occur when there is too much oily substance as this creates a waxy plug that makes hair growth difficult. Maintaining healthy lubrication of the hair shaft, by regular hair washing, means that sebum production is controlled and can continue to work effectively.

Hygiene and Grooming

Keeping hair clean and conditioned maintains a healthy balance of sebum that encourages hair growth. Grooming hair, by using products that do not contain harsh chemicals, will therefore create a healthy foundation for regulating the formation of oily sebum. The way in which hair is styled and the tools used to do this also impact on the condition of the individual strands of hair. Combing, styling, colouring and drying – using products, tools and equipment – will all affect hair health and hygiene standards and should be used with care.

Other Factors

The type of hair you have will also impact on the kind of hygiene care your hair requires. For example, curly hair requires more care and attention than other hair types and damage can easily occur if using products that do not aid curl definition and work against the hair’s natural state. The type of hair, hair length and the way in which it is cared for all create potential issues if good hygiene standards are not maintained. Split ends, which occurs when the protective cuticle of the hair is stripped away by harsh chemicals or treatment of the hair, also creates weakness in the hair and this encourages breakage and shedding resulting in hair loss.

Hair Loss Products

There are many hair loss treatments available to purchase. These products generally promote re-growth and re-boosting of the hair. Medication and other treatments, such as laser therapy also claim to increase the production of hair.