How to avoid hair loss: tips and effective treatments
23 Jun 2025
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Hair loss is a problem that affects many people at some point in their lives. It can be frustrating to see more hair than usual on your brush or pillow. But in many cases, this issue can be solved. If you're wondering how to avoid hair loss, this article is for you.
In this article, we'll explain the most common causes, the most effective strategies to strengthen your hair, and the treatments that actually work.
Why does it happen, and how to avoid hair loss?
Losing between 50 and 100 hairs a day is completely normal. The problem begins when this loss exceeds the amount of new hair that grows. People know this as alopecia, a condition that can affect men, women, and even children (1,2). But don't worry, learning how to avoid hair loss is easier when you understand the causes.
Common causes of hair loss
Before we discuss how to avoid hair loss, it’s important to understand why it happens. There are several reasons why your hair might be weakening, such as the following (1,2,3):
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Genetics: if your parents or grandparents have a history of baldness or alopecia, you likely have a higher predisposition to experience it as well. This condition is known as hereditary hair loss.
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Stress: whether from surgery, a breakup, or simply the fast-paced lifestyle, stress can weaken your hair. Chronic stress alters the growth cycle and may lead to more hair loss than usual.
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Hormonal changes: pregnancy, menopause, or hypothyroidism can affect the volume and density of your hair.
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Nutritional deficiencies: if your diet is lacking in iron, zinc, proteins, or certain essential hair vitamins, your hair follicles may not be getting the nutrients they need to keep your hair strong.
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Scalp infections: fungal infections, like ringworm, can affect the health of your scalp and cause visible areas of hair loss.
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Tight hairstyles: braids, ponytails, hair ties, or extensions can damage the hair follicle.
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Excessive heat or chemicals: straighteners, blow dryers, hair dyes, and chemical treatments all damage your hair and can be causes of dandruff.
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Medications: some medical treatments, like chemotherapy or medications for high blood pressure, depression, or arthritis, can also cause hair loss as a side effect.
Signs that indicate hair weakening
In addition to learning how to avoid hair loss, you should pay attention to other details. For example, if you notice more hair than usual on your brush, if your hair seems thinner, more brittle, or if visible areas of your scalp start to appear (3,4). If you experience any of these symptoms, it's time to act.
How to avoid hair loss: 3 effective solutions
The following recommendations will help you maintain strong and healthy hair (2,3,4):
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Optimize your diet: including enough protein, iron, zinc, biotin, and essential fatty acids help your hair grow stronger. Avoid overly restrictive diets. The Mediterranean diet is an excellent option if you're unsure where to start. It is healthy and includes plenty of food to give you energy, while also providing essential nutrients for your hair's strength.
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Take care of your scalp with a friendly routine: wash your hair with gentle products. Also, massage your scalp delicately, and use conditioner with every wash. If you want to learn how to avoid hair loss, you should start by avoiding tight hairstyles and excessive heat. This not only helps to reduce hair loss but also encourages healthy hair growth.
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Medical consultation and scalp analysis: if you’ve been losing hair for a while or notice thinning hair in certain areas, it's crucial to see a doctor. With simple tests like blood work or scalp biopsy, the specific cause can be identified. This way, a personalized treatment plan can be provided.
How to avoid hair loss: available treatments
After a thorough evaluation, your doctor will recommend the best treatment for your situation. If the cause is androgenic alopecia, they may suggest the following treatments (1-4):
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Minoxidil: this treatment is applied directly to the scalp. It helps stimulate hair growth in both men and women.
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Finasteride: this is a medication approved for treating male-pattern baldness. It is only intended for men, as it is not safe for women.
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Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): this involves using your own blood, separating the plasma, and injecting it into the scalp to stimulate hair growth. It is an increasingly popular treatment.
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Hair transplant: doctors take hair from areas with good density and implant it in less populated areas. This treatment is typically recommended for more advanced cases of hair loss.
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Wigs: when medical treatments haven’t been effective, wigs are a viable option. The market offers a wide variety of both natural and synthetic hair.
In summary, if you’re wondering how to avoid hair loss, the key is to act early, maintain a balanced diet, and avoid practices that damage the scalp (like excessive heat or tight hairstyles). Don’t forget to consult with a professional at the first signs of trouble.
Referencias Bibliográficas
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NHS. Hair loss. [Online]; 2024. [cited April 8, 2025]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/.
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Cleveland Clinic. Hair loss. [Online]; 2021. [cited April 8, 2025]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21753-hair-loss.
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Nall KM, R. Everything you need to know about hair loss. [Online]; 2022. [cited April 8, 2025]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-loss.
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Fletcher J. How to stop hair loss. [Online]; 2023. [cited April 8, 2025]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-stop-hair-loss.
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