How to prevent hair loss and thinning hair

Whilst it’s normal to lose 50-100 hairs per day, increased loss, thinning and flatness of your hair can be a result of deeper rooted lifestyle, genetic and environmental imbalances. 

WHAT CAUSES HAIR LOSS AND THINNING?

Hair loss and thinning can be caused by a number of different factors - from hormone imbalances, genetics, or more severe androgenetic conditions such as alopecia. Alternatively, it may also be a reactionary response to stressors such as environment, products or trauma. All of these can impact the hair growth cycle 

GENETIC HAIR LOSS: Tends to be a slow process that happens over time as an imprint of our DNA. This can impact things such as a receding hairline or patchiness. 

REACTIONAL LOSS: A sudden, rapid shedding of hair. You may notice bald patches at the scalp, increase hair loss when brushing and clumps falling out.  

POST PREGNANCY HAIR LOSS: A common postpartum side effect can be hair loss. Whilst caffeine isn’t specifically tested on this, our formula is designed to work on all types of hair loss by stimulating the scalps stem cells and hair follicles, encouraging hair growth.  

Most women will return to their usual hair cycle between 6 and 12 months after birth but if you’re experiencing hair loss and it’s getting you down it can always be worth checking in with a doctor or dermatologist, who’ll be able to access your hair and offer a wider range of treatment options.

Other key factors that can influence hair growth/loss: 

• Stress
• Trauma
• Diet / Weight Loss 
• Hormones
• Styling / Products / Heat 
• Illness / Medication

THE HAIR GROWTH CYCLE

Firstly, to understand why we might lose hair, it’s important to understand how it grows and therefore how we can impact the cycle to influence its characteristics. Hair on the scalp grows about 6 inches per year and the cycle can be broken into further main stages of growth and shedding. Each hair goes through the cycle and each stage at different times: 

Anagen phase: The active growth phase that lasts 2-6 years (differing for each individual) this phase is the formulation of the hair fiber and follicle and essentially the blueprint for your locks. Impacted by a number of different factors such as scalp health, genetics, nutrition, medication etc, the anagen phase can be further broken down into 3 different cycles that form the growth of the initial fiber:

1. The papilla at the base of the hair follicle begins to create the rapid cell turnover for the process of keratinization which begins to create the hair.  
2. The formation of the base of the follicle which will house the hair fiber for the 2-6 year duration. Nutrition, hair care habits and scalp habits need to be in alignment to give the best opportunity to the hair fiber to thrive. 
3. Formation of your hair type as the cells begin to develop defining length, straightness, pigment, strength. 

Catagen phase: This transitional phase only lasts about 2 weeks but is a potent opportunity to be able to make changes to the health and viability of the hair. Through nutritional supplements and topical supplements that penetrate the dermis of the skin, we can attempt to minimize hair shedding and hair loss. This can superficially extend the anagen phase, as well as counteract any negative impact from medication, lifestyle or diet. 

Telogen phase: The resting phase where our hair fiber is formed and at rest. Lasting approximately three months, the hair will naturally shed and the cycle continues. If there are abnormal impacts on the cycle such as stress, hormone imbalance, medication - it’s in this phase that we may start to see a higher rate of shedding or hair loss when the telogen phase goes into overdrive. 

Exogen phase: This is where the hair is released, and the natural cycle begins again. In a healthy hair cycle, the new hair pushes the old fibre out and keeps the follicle alive and healthy. The cycle then repeats back to the Anagen phase.

HAIR VOLUME

Volume is directly linked to the amount of hair you’re producing. However, once targeting the growth cycle, by stimulating the follicles, we can also look at working with the existing strands to create thicker looking locks. Hair can become flat and lack lustre when it’s dehydrated, so ensuring ample hydration, you can also help to make your hair appear fuller and more voluminous. 
Our Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Hair Treatment works to add moisture to the hair strands. 

THE INKEY LIST VOLUME BOOSTERS

From nurturing the follicles to giving the strands some extra TLC, here’s our top products for thicker and voluminous hair...

PEPTIDE VOLUMIZING HAIR TREATMENT

Peptides are chains of amino acids that support proteins naturally found in hair. Limp and thin hair is an incredibly common hair concern across all hair types and lack of volume can be caused by a number of things, including diet, product build up, hormones, genetics or stress. This lightweight serum helps to increase hair’s thickness and volume.

HOW TO USE: Use as a post wash treatment. Shake into the palm of your hand, massage hands together and work through wet or dry hair. Apply enough to thinly coat all of your hair. Leave on. Style as usual. Use 1-2 times a week. Alternatively, you can also incorporate this in your routine and use it with your shampoo and conditioner as a boost.

GLYCOLIC ACID EXFOLIATING SCALP SCRUB

By exfoliating the scalp and removing  build up and dead cells, we help unclog pores which supports normal hair growth. In turn, a clean and healthy scalp promotes a healthy hair microbiome which, when unbalanced, could also have an impact on hair growth. This scalp treatment, like it’s facial counterpart, is designed to gently exfoliate the scalp to remove dead skin and product buildup to leave the hair looking healthy. The 7% Glycolic Acid exfoliates and cleanses, this formula is supported by 2.5% SYMCONTROL® SCALP - an effective scalp regulator to reduce sebum overproduction for less oily hair and protected hair fiber. Mixed with 100%  biodegradable castor beads to elevate instant physical exfoliation experience, we've also added 0.5% BIOECOLIA® to protect, balance and maintain the skin's Ecoflora, creating the ideal scalp microbiome.

HOW TO USE: Use the nozzle to apply directly  onto the scalp  and  use  your  fingertips  to  rub  in.  Apply  enough  to  cover the entire  scalp.  Leave  on  for  10  minutes then wash hair as normal. Use 1-2 times a week.

View all hair and scalp treatments from The INKEY List

TIPS TO SUPPORT HAIR GROWTH AND VOLUME

• Eat foods rich in protein and biotin such as nuts and seeds, eggs, dairy, avocados, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, bananas and oats to support the hair growth cycle. Iron, folic acid, and other minerals also help follicles produce hair naturally.
• Reduce stress which can have a significant impact on hair production due to the increase in cortisol levels. 
• Be gentle with your hair. Avoid using harsh or chemical treatments, heat styling and tight hairstyles too often. 
• There are some small studies that show scalp massages can improve how thick hair feels. Whilst it may not make your hair grow, we’re fully behind testing this one out - just to be sure! 

Have further questions on hair loss, volume or what the best hair treatment is for you? You can chat to our #askINKEY team now who’ll be happy to help build you a personalized haircare recipe or create your own routine today with our Recipe Builder.