NATURAL BEAUTY

Natural Help for Thinning Hair

If you’ve noticed tangles of hair in your brush and shower drain, don’t panic. There are remedies that can help you prevent thinning hair and improve the health of your entire hair ecosystem—scalp, follicles, and strands.

BY SHERRIE STRAUSFOGEL

According to The New York Times, “Since the pandemic, many doctors report an uptick in patients suff ering from stress- related hair loss.” The phenomenon is a byproduct of both stress and post-viral infl ammation from Covid-19. Temporary hair loss can be caused by fever, illness, childbirth, and severe stress, pushing more hairs than usual into the shedding phase of the hair growth cycle.

But those are just a few causes of hair loss. “The main cause of thinning hair in men and women is androgenic alopecia, a genetic condition,” says Gary Linkov, MD, founder and medical director of City Facial Plastics in New York. “Less common causes include temporary hair-loss conditions such as telogen e uvium, as well as hair loss caused by hormonal imbalances or medications.”

New research has shown that oxidative stress is a common cause of daily hair loss. The same UV rays and pollution that produce lines and wrinkles on your face can also speed hair shedding by weakening the connection of each hair strand to the scalp. Calming a stressed scalp with shampoos, conditioners, and treatments formulated with antioxidants, zinc, and B vitamins can help relieve oxidative stress and boost the health of your scalp.

Aside from medical therapies, Linkov off ers practical, healthy tips to keep the hair you have. “A gentle shampoo—avoid strong shampoos that c0ntain salicylic acid and ketoconazole—and reducing traction and heat on the hair are important for preserving it. Keeping the blow dryer on a low heat setting can help prevent damaging the hair. The same goes for the shower-water temperature. Viviscal, a biotin-based vitamin, helps thicken hair especially in women, and Nutrafol, another biotin-based vitamin, boosts the health of hair follicles for both men and women.”

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❶ Lessen hair loss by fortifying hair

at its roots with Andalou Naturals Age

Defying Argan Stem Cell Scalp Intensive

for Thinning Hair. Argan oil stem cells strengthen and smooth hair, making it less brittle, more manageable, and shinier. Solar vitas (grape stem cells) protect against UV damage. Vitamin B complex, panthenol, rice and soy proteins, and a hair regeneration complex (coltsfoot leaf, yarrow flower, cysteine, licorice root, horsetail, and meadowsweet flower extracts) encourage growth. Also available as a Thinning Hair System including Argan Stem Cell Age Defying Scalp Intensive, Shampoo, and Conditioner.

❷ Reduce hair breakage up to 61

percent with Desert Essence Professional Anti-Breakage Hair Mask. A blend of the same vitamins and minerals in Country Life Maxi-Hair Plus Biotin supplement, along with provitamin B5, keratin, and bamboo, help fortify hair. Nourishing jojoba and coconut oils and saw palmetto strengthen strands to help minimize fallout. Aloe and olive oil hydrate and condition, and radish seed extract adds shine. For best results, use in combination with Anti-Breakage Shampoo and Conditioner.

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Resist splitting and breaking while adding volume and texture with Earth

Science Ceramide Care Volumizing

Shampoo and Conditioner. A plant-based ceramide complex restores and locks in moisture. Golden barley protein, panthenol, and soy protein strengthen and hydrate strands. This gentle shampoo and conditioner combo is safe for color-treated hair, and it’s pH-neutral for daily use on normal and fine hair. The faint scent of vanilla, ginger, and cardamom remains on your clean and fuller-looking hair.

Find less hair in the drain with Pura

d’Or Hair Thinning Therapy Shampoo

and Conditioner. The duo strengthens, minimizes breakage, and reduces hair thinning with aloe vera, argan and alma oils, biotin, black cumin seed, copper tripeptide, nettle leaf, and saw palmetto. Niacin, organic rosemary oil, and tea tree oil help to invigorate and purify the scalp while encouraging strand strength and resiliency. The Chinese herb he shou wu root extract improves circulation and supports hair growth. Thinning, damaged, and chemically treated hair will look and feel revived from scalp to ends.

Strengthen dry, brittle hair with

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treat-

ment. This rich conditioner reinforces and revitalizes overprocessed, abused wavy and curly hair with moisturizing shea butter, antioxidant Manuka honey, and protein-infused yogurt powder and extract, plus deep conditioning baobab, mafura, castor, and coconut oils. Use after shampooing to turn hair with breakage and split ends into smooth, soft strands. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes for best results.