“Ozempic affects your appetite, so by restricting your food intake, you’re also restricting the number of vitamins and minerals you’re ingesting, which are beneficial for healthy hair growth,” says Helen Reavey, trichologist and founder of Act + Acre.
The American Hair Loss Association also hypothesizes that hormonal shifts from the drug can trigger temporary shedding as part of telogen effluvium phase.
5. Neglecting your scalp
Say Reavey, “50% of people before the age of 40 have some type of hair loss, while one in two suffer from some type of scalp issue.” some of this is the result of a scalp that has been thrown out of balance by hormones, vitamin deficiencies, stress, and pollution levels.
6. Overreliance on dry shampoo
Our experts recommend washing your hair every other day rather than leaning on dry shampoo, which creates a pastelike mixture with dead skin and oil.
According to Reavey, this congestion within the hair follicle won’t create the optimum environment for hair growth and, worst-case scenario, can even trigger what she calls inflammatory responses, which can result in hair loss.
7. Vitamin D deficiency
About 90% of absorbable vitamin D comes from sunlight, as a result of UVB rays interacting with a protein in the skin that converts it into vitamin D3. A deficiency can interrupt the anagen phase of our hair follicles, causing delayed growth and even premature shedding.
The consensus among experts is that supplementing vitamin D3 is just as effective as sun exposure–and it doesn’t come at the cost of healthy skin.
8. Hormones
Hormones also play a major role in your hair growth cycle. “Estrogens are hair-friendly and help to keep your strands in the anagen phase for anywhere between three to seven years,” explains Kingsley. Androgens and progesterone (male hormones) can have the opposite effect.
If you’re switching up your birth control or have just started the pill, it may have a negative effect on your hair. Generally speaking, birth control pills with estrogen tend to be better for your hair, but ones with progesterone only can contribute to hair loss. Before selecting the right birth control, consult your doctor about possible side effects.
9. Post pregnancy
Pregnancy can cause a rise in estrogen, which typically makes hair luscious and thick, especially in the final few months. “Essentially, this increase keeps hairs in the growth phase for longer,” explains Kingsley.
But what goes up, must come down and, thanks to hormonal changes, hair loss is also a possibility. “After childbirth or after breast-feeding, estrogen levels return to normal, and approximately 50% of women experience postpartum shedding,” Kingsley says. While distressing, this shedding should stop after three months.
10. Smoking
According to the experts at Aventus Clinic, smokers are 1.6 times more likely to lose hair prematurely. This is because smoking starves hair follicles by reducing blood flow by 30%, accelerating ageing and causing significant thinning.
11. Medication
Twelve percent of all hair loss cases are triggered by common medications, according to Aventus experts. Blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, and even acne treatments can trigger thinning hair. That’s why it’s important to always consult your doctor if you notice unusual shedding after starting new medication.
The best hair loss treatments
- Increase the amount of protein in your diet: Hair is made of protein, perhaps making this the most essential nutrient for hair growth. “A reasonable portion of meat or fish every day can make up around half of your 45g quota,” says Traver. Quinoa and nuts are good sources of protein for vegetarians.
- Include whole grains for breakfast: Hair cells are their most active first thing in the morning. “Complex carbohydrates provide you with slow-release energy,” says Kingsley. “Being the second fastest growing cells the body produces, hair cells need a consistent energy supply.”
- Take a hair growth supplement. There are many—many!—to choose from, so be sure to do your research when pinning down the best one for you.
- Check for an iron deficiency: Talk to your doctor first about testing for iron deficiency, but if you do need to increase your iron levels, supplementation may be a good option, especially if you don’t eat red meat.
- Deep-cleanse your scalp: “Silicone buildup from most conditioners can make it look like you have an oily scalp because it’s like a magnet and attracts dirt and smog,” Reavey says. Throw in hard water laced with chlorine and heavy metals, such as copper, magnesium, calcium, and iron, and there’s even more of an incentive to thoroughly cleanse your scalp with a prewash or a once-weekly scrub.
- Apply a leave-in scalp treatment: Act+Acre’s Cold Processed Stem Cell Serum is formulated with Swiss apple stem cells, which have been shown to reduce shedding by 35% in just one month while promoting a longer hair follicle growth phase. Aveda’s Scalp Solutions Overnight Scalp Renewal Serum is packed with barrier- boosting heroes to soothe an irritated scalp. The Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Hair Fall Hair & Scalp Serum contains an innovative form of hyaluronic acid (cationic hyaluronic acid) that adheres to the hair follicle and strand, and enable it to continue hydrating brittle strands long after rinsing, while the Champo Pitta Growth Serum contains caffeine to target the hair loss hormone DHT and delay shedding.
- Give yourself a scalp massage: “The head is home to our nervous system,” says Nikita Mehta, cofounder of Fable & Mane. “In Ayurveda, scalp massage, using oils that contain adaptogens, is a daily routine to calm the nervous system and balance energy. The ritual also stretches the hair from the roots, stimulating them to produce thicker strands.” The brand’s HoliRoots Hair Oil is spiked with circulation-boosting castor oil and the Ayurvedic adaptogen ashwagandha, which has anti-inflammatory properties, according to several published studies. Also worth trying is TikTok sensation Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil.
This story originally appeared in Glamour UK.