The Surprising Reason You Should Avoid Sleeping with Wet Hair, According to a Hairdresser

Four Reasons Your Hair Might Be Thinning

From remedies to alternatives, here's your guide to achieving healthier, thicker hair from Trichologist Anabel Kingsley.

“Hair naturally thins as we age, similar to how our skin and muscles change,” explains Anabel Kingsley, a trichologist at Philip Kingsley. Genetics can also play a role, compounded by health issues such as menopause or thyroid disorders.

“Hair follicles gradually shrink, producing finer and shorter strands with each hair growth cycle,” she adds. While we cannot alter genetics or aging, we can address some other causes of hair thinning.

Here are four fixable factors you should be aware of:

1. Hormonal Changes
“Leading up to and during your menstrual cycle, your scalp may become oilier, which can trigger flaking and itching if you're prone to dandruff. Ignoring an irritated scalp can lead to hair loss,” says Anabel.

Post-pregnancy hair loss is also common; “After giving birth or stopping breastfeeding, estrogen levels drop back to normal,” explains Anabel.

“This can cause all the hair retained during pregnancy to shed at once (usually six to twelve weeks later), known as postpartum hair loss.”

Don't worry, this is usually temporary, but experts recommend starting daily hair supplements to promote hair growth.

2. Heat Damage
“Heat depletes moisture from within the hair shaft, and since hair's elasticity and strength largely depend on its water content, this can lead to dryness, brittleness, and breakage,” Anabel explains.

To prevent future damage, Anabel suggests using a low setting on your heat styling tools, straightening only once a week, and turning off your blow dryer when your hair is just slightly damp, as “using heat on completely dry hair can evaporate water from the hair shaft.”

3. Stress
“Hair is non-essential for physical survival, so it will always be the first part of you to suffer when something is off,” Anabel says.

Stress impacts the scalp, which can negatively influence hair health and growth. “Stress spikes cortisol levels, which, in turn, increases oil production,” adds Anabel. “Cortisol, a stress hormone, disrupts the skin’s barrier function and triggers skin irritation, which is why your scalp can become itchy and flaky during stressful times.”

4. Poor Diet