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Does dry shampoo cause hair loss?

 In this article, we will explore the topic and answer the question "Does dry shampoo cause hair loss?". In today's fast-paced world, it's no surprise that many of us use dry shampoo to keep our hair fresh and clean without the need for water. 

Introduction

Dry shampoo has become a popular hair care product among busy individuals who don't have time to wash their hair every day. It is a quick and easy way to absorb excess oil and dirt from the scalp and hair, leaving it looking and feeling fresh. However, the use of dry shampoo has been linked to hair loss, leading to concerns among consumers.

What is dry shampoo?

Before diving into the issue at hand, let's first define what dry shampoo is. Dry shampoo is a powder or spray that is applied to the scalp and hair to absorb excess oil and dirt. It is usually made from ingredients such as cornstarch, rice starch or oatmeal, which help to absorb oil and sweat, leaving the hair looking clean and fresh.

How does dry shampoo work?

Dry shampoo works by absorbing oil and dirt from the hair and scalp, which can make it look less greasy and with more volume. The powder or spray is applied directly to the scalp and hair, then worked through the hair with a brush or fingers. The product helps to soak up excess oil, sweat and dirt, leaving hair looking and feeling clean.

The link between dry shampoo and hair loss

There have been concerns that using dry shampoo can cause hair loss, but is there any truth to this claim? According to hair experts, using dry shampoo regularly can cause a build-up of product on the scalp, which can clog the hair follicles and lead to hair loss. In addition, the rubbing or brushing required to distribute the product in the hair can cause breakage and damage to the hair shaft, leading to further hair loss.

Can dry shampoo cause baldness?

Although there is no evidence to suggest that using dry shampoo can cause baldness, it can contribute to hair loss. Baldness is usually caused by genetics, hormones or medical conditions, rather than hair care products.

How to use dry shampoo in a safe way

If you want to use dry shampoo but are concerned about hair loss, there are some precautions you can take to minimise the risk. Firstly, avoid using dry shampoo every day, as this can cause product build-up on the scalp. Instead, use it sparingly and only when needed. Secondly, make sure to brush or comb your hair gently after using dry shampoo, to avoid damaging the hair shaft.

So, does dry shampoo cause hair loss? The answer is yes, it can contribute to hair loss if used excessively and without proper care. Whilst dry shampoo is a useful hair care product, it is important to use it sparingly and to avoid the accumulation of the product in your hair. scalp. In addition, it is important to be aware of other factors that can contribute to hair loss, such as genetics, hormones, medical conditions and nutritional deficiencies.

In summary, using dry shampoo can be a convenient way to keep your hair fresh and clean, but it is important to use it safely and sparingly. If you are concerned about hair loss, it is a good idea to talk to a hair expert or dermatologist for advice on how to look after your hair and scalp.



COVID-19 and hair loss

Thousands of people have experienced hair loss after recovering from COVID-19 and many still have residual effects of the disease. Doctors believe that the physical and emotional stress that accompanies a case of COVID-19, can lead to a reversible hair loss condition known as Telogen effluvium.

In fact, we humans can start losing hair a few months after a stressful period or illness in our lives. Hair loss usually occurs a few weeks/months after a stressful event: for example, emotional distress, major surgery or high fever.

What happens is that an abnormal amount of hair is shifted to the telogen or resting phase of the hair growth cycle, which ultimately leads to hair loss. When there is a shock to the system, the body goes into survival mode and focuses only on the important functions and hair growth and retention are not as important functions in the body.

However, as Covid involves a wide range of symptoms, hair loss is not a listed symptom. If you experience hair loss after Covid, your hair will most likely come back in due course as your body recovers. 

Akacia Medical offers various solutions to hair loss in case you need help!

How to prevent hair loss after pregnancy?

It is common for hair loss to occur after pregnancy, in this blog post we will talk more about hair loss after pregnancy. Hair loss after pregnancy is temporary, but it can be quite distressing. Most women find that their hair becomes extra fine and full during pregnancy. The increased amount of oestrogen means that the hair stays longer in the growth phase and hardly falls out. So it is the hormones during pregnancy that stop the normal hair growth cycle. These changes that the body undergoes during pregnancy, as well as after childbirth, can affect the mother's hair growth and you usually experience a lot of hair loss. It is normal to lose about 70-90 hairs per day, while after pregnancy you can lose as much as 400 hairs per day. The difference is thus perceived as enormous.

Why we get hair loss after pregnancy

It can be due to many reasons but most of them are:

  • Breastfeeding
  • vitamin deficiency
  • Oestrogenic disorders
When do you get your hair back after pregnancy?

After about six months, hair loss usually stops and after about a year all the hairs have new follicles again. Remember that this hair loss is temporary, but it can be quite stressful.

How to prevent hair loss after childbirth?

Half of all women lose large amounts of hair after pregnancy, but there are still things you can do to try to prevent it:

 

  • Try to prep your body with vitamins and minerals. When a mother breastfeeds her baby, the breast milk takes all the nutrition. So make sure you eat the best and most nutritious food you can. Then you can also boost your hair with some extra "hair vitamins" that promote hair growth. An example of this could be hair control.
  • Walk/exercise - Movement is good for the body and promotes hair growth.
  • Treat yourself to a head massage. Take the opportunity to massage your scalp in the shower or while watching TV. This increases blood circulation to the scalp, which promotes growth.
  • Wear your hair as little as possible. Put away all the heat tools and focus on braids, knots and hair bands. There are so many great hairstyles you can do without using heat tools.
  • Use good, natural products for your hair. Opt for shampoos, conditioners and wraps that are free of sulphates, parabens and unnecessary silicones. Maria Nila has incredibly good and mild products.

Remember, hair loss after pregnancy is temporary. But it can be quite a hassle. Your hair will come back, so try not to stress about it. Read more Facts about hair loss.

Common myths and facts about hair loss

There are many myths surrounding hair loss and baldness. The list of myths is endless, ranging from strange ideas and weird 'cures' across the internet and social media. Everything from wearing a cap to shampooing too often and testosterone levels in the body. It can eventually become difficult to distinguish what is fact and what is not. 

 

Myths:

  1. Wearing a cap makes you go bald

No matter how you wear your cap - tight, loose, sideways or backwards - it makes no difference to the hair follicles on your scalp. Hair follicles need oxygen to stay healthy, but the oxygen comes from your blood, not from the air.

 

  1. Washing your hair too often causes your hair to fall out.

Just like shampoo can't make your hair grow faster, washing your hair often won't make you lose it. Sometimes people who are worried about hair loss wash their hair less often. Between these washes, the normal growth cycle will still occur. However, washing too infrequently can clog the pores of the scalp. 

 

  1. Playing with your hair can cause baldness

Running your fingers through your hair or playing with your hair will not cause baldness. However, these actions can be a sign of stress, which can contribute to hair loss. Some people pull their hair out from the roots. Trichotillomania is a hair pulling disorder where a person has a recurring, irresistible urge to pull out their hair which can lead to baldness.

 

  1. Shaving the hair makes it thicker.

Hair grows from healthy follicles on your scalp. Shaving your head can in no way increase the number or improve the quality of healthy hair follicles on your scalp. Nor does it create thicker hair.

 

  1. A thinning hair is always permanent

In some cases, thinning hair can be a temporary reaction to a trigger, such as pregnancy, menopause, stress, illness or infection. Once the trigger has been corrected, hair growth usually resumes.

Facts:

  1. Genetics is the main contributor to baldness
    Androgenic alopecia, also known as hereditary pattern hair loss, is a genetically determined disorder and is the main cause of hair loss in approximately 90% of affected men and women. The gene can be inherited from either parent. 
  2. Hair loss can be reversed
    For temporary triggers such as hormonal imbalance, illness/infection, smoking, poor diet or overloaded stress, normal hair growth usually returns once the trigger has been treated. 
  3. Baldness is influenced by internal factors rather than external or environmental factors. Hair loss and baldness are driven by internal factors such as genetics, health and diet, whether you smoke or not, and hormones. Thinning hair can also be a cause of stress and anxiety. Baldness is not affected by frequent hair washing, cap, hat or other external or environmental factors. 
  4. Getting an accurate diagnosis is importantSeeking professional advice for hair loss is important. In order to have a successful treatment, an accurate diagnosis needs to be made. It is not enough to rely on home treatments. Usually a blood test is taken and then take it from there.
Common stages of hair loss we go through

Common reactions

Common thoughts are: am I imagining it or is my hair thinning? Feelings such as: how do I deal with hair loss? Is it really a problem? Often an observation of hair loss is made in the sink and shower. Thoughts such as: is this a normal amount of hair to lose?

Denial

Avoiding thinking about the problem and pretending it doesn't exist, thoughts like "it will be fine" and "I will stop losing my hair".

 

Panic and fear

You start to panic, worrying that something might be wrong with you.

Acceptance

You start to accept that it is a problem and that you should look at it more deeply. You start searching online for the causes of hair loss, your symptoms and what can be done to prevent it.

Motivational

Actively searching for a solution, there are plenty of treatments to choose from and it's good to think long-term. You book a visit to a hair clinic to actively do something about it before it gets worse, like many others, you have probably tried a home treatment first that did not help.

Read more about hair loss to put more flesh on the bones. If you are worried about whether you have hair loss we can analyse your scalp with a micro camera to see what the eye can see.

Telogen effluvium is linked to nutrient deficiency

Common causes of telogen effluvium are stress, trauma or a drastic change in diet.

Telogen effluvium and nutrient deficiency

Nutritional deficiency linked to telogen effluvium. This means that if you do not pay attention to your iron, zinc, protein and B12 levels, you are at higher risk of developing hair loss. If you have hair loss due to nutrient deficiency, it will not be permanent and your hair will recover in time. To have fine, strong and shiny hair, you should eat the right amount of protein and vitamins.

If you have any problems with your health, do not hesitate to seek professional help.