Do Diet and Exercise Really Matter? (Part 2)

A successful hair growth system starts with a healthy and balanced lifestyle. But sometimes just living the good life isn’t good enough.

Staying optimistic, eating healthy and still losing hair?

There are many other potential factors that contribute to hair loss that we can do something about.

Ask yourself, have you been getting enough rest and exercise? The stretch, exertion and relaxation of muscles are believed to regulate digestion and blood circulation throughout the body. This process can stimulate healthy hair cells in our scalp and increase blood flow to follicles. Are you overly stressed? Stress may be a little complex to understand in terms of how it directly impacts our health, but it has been known to exacerbate a variety of conditions (including hair loss).

Also consider these factors:
1.    Do you dye/perm/treat your hair with chemicals on a regular basis?
2.    Have you noticed more hair fall with your current shampoo?
3.    Do you lack sleep? Are you anemic?
4.    Are you taking birth-control pills?
5.    Do you suffer from an eating disorder?
6.    Do you have skin problems?

Even though we cannot control our genes, there are many things that we can control. If you are experiencing a significant amount of hair loss every day, try some of these easy lifestyle changes in addition to your personal regimen:

• Perhaps your shampoo and conditioner are too strong. You might want to switch to a product that has more “natural” and light ingredients.
• Change your hair styling habits. The chemicals that your hair and scalp absorb through various hair care products might make your hair look beautiful for a short while, but they can also leave much more obvious damage in the long-term. Tight hairstyles and braids can lead to traction alopecia, which is easily avoidable.
• Get at least 6-8 hours of sleep every day. Not getting enough sleep can cause a litany of health problems and leads to increased frustration, anxiety and irritability.
• Try taking multi-vitamins or eating iron-enriched foods.
• Consult your physician if you are taking any pills or medication that might contribute to hair loss and check with your dermatologist to see if you are suffering from a different underlying condition like seborrheic dermatitis.
• Ask your doctor about the FDA approved medications available for halting (and in rare cases, reversing) pattern hair loss.