Hair Loss Prevention and Hair Growth

The key to stopping hair loss and promoting growth at the same time is to develop a good hair grooming routine. This routine should provide nourishment, moisture and conditioning to the hair. The only way to promote hair growth is to prevent hair loss.

Avoid Heat

• Before jumping into a cleaning and moisturizing routine, remember to avoid heat as much as possible. Heat dries the hair out and may damage the hair by burning it. If you use items such as hot combs or thin flat irons, you may burn your scalp as well. If this happens, you could develop a condition called scarring alopecia, or cicatricial alopecia. Cicatricial alopecia causes the hair to fall out of the follicle, and then replaces the hair with scar tissue. This scarring inhibits future hair growth. So avoiding heat will help jump start the prevention routine.

Avoid Traction

• Choose your hairstyles carefully, looking to avoid tight styles or large amounts of hair products. Tight hairstyles such as ponytails or cornrows will pull the hair from the scalp, which causes hair thinning and hair loss. This form of hair loss in late stages cannot be reversed, and is called traction alopecia. Using hair products such as hair gel, hairspray and spritz that contain alcohol will dry the hair out. This will minimize the hair's natural elasticity, causing hair breakage and split ends.

Moisturizing and Cleaning

• If you wash your hair too frequently (every day), it will deplete your hair of its natural oils, causing breakage and hair loss. Washing your hair at least once a week should be sufficient. Using shampoos and conditioners that are formulated for dry and damaged hair, or to promote hair growth should be used to encourage health and growth. In addition to washing, use leave-in conditioners that contain olive oil, garlic, aloe or jojoba oil. They encourage moisture, sheen and healthy growth. They are readily available in most beauty supply stores and grocery stores. Moisturizers that contain these oils are also helpful when it comes to promoting growth. Try to avoid moisturizers that are greasy and weigh the hair down. Using this type of moisturizer may dry your hair out by stripping it of its natural oils.