10 Products I Used That Dramatically Reduced My Hair Fall

If you are tired of seeing your precious strands of hair fall out every time you run your fingers through your mane or brush it out, you’ve come to the right place. I have found a low-maintenance hair care routine that has helped reduce my hair fall drastically.

In this article, I will be sharing my journey (including the factors that caused hair fall) and the tips that helped me achieve healthier strands.

First things first, it is important to understand that haircare is subjective. A product that may work for me, may not work for you. Secondly, if you’re experiencing extreme hair fall, it is always best to consult a dermat or trichologist to understand the root cause of the issue.

In my case, my hairfall was caused by poor lifestyle habits (revenge bedtime procrastination, anyone?), stress and environmental factors. For your reference, my hair is wavy and frizzy, and my scalp tends to get flaky when the weather changes. I live in Mumbai so humidity and pollution play a HUGE role in how my hair looks and feels every day!

Now, let’s talk about the 6 most common causes of hairfall.

1. Stress: Ah, this is definitely something most people struggle with! If you find yourself feeling constantly anxious or overwhelmed, take some time to relax. No, really. When you’re feeling worked up, your body releases a hormone called cortisol, which can wreak havoc on your hair follicles, causing hairfall.

2. Hormonal Changes: When hormones like estrogen and testosterone are out of balance, your hair ends up falling. If you suspect that hormonal changes may be the culprit, it’s best to consult with a doctor.

3. An Imbalanced Diet: Like your body, your hair needs nutrients to grow out healthy and strong and if you’re not getting enough vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and biotin, you can expect your hair to fall. So, make sure to eat a balanced diet and consult a physician before taking supplements.

4. Too Much Heat Styling: We all love our heat tools, but too much styling can damage your hair follicles and cause your hair to become brittle, leading to breakage. Combat this by limiting your use of hot tools and always using a heat protectant spray.

5. Genes: This one is a tough nut to crack. Unfortunately, sometimes hairfall is just in your DNA. If you have a family history of it, take the necessary steps proactively to protect your hair and scalp to prevent further loss.

Though some of these factors may be out of our control to manage, there are certain steps that you can take to make sure your hair gets the gentle TLC it needs.

What you can do:

1. Switch to a gentle shampoo:

Most of the commonly available shampoos in the market contain sulfates – the harsh detergents that are responsible for stripping our hair and scalp of their natural oils. The result? Dry scalp and even drier hair that feels brittle. This causes hair breakage and ultimately leads to hair fall. So, the first step in your hair care routine should be to switch to a gentle shampoo.

I personally use a sulfate-free shampoo that contains nourishing ingredients like aloe vera (to moisturise), tea tree oil (to clean my scalp), and chamomile (to soothe it). These ingredients not only clean my hair but also calm my scalp, zapping any inflammation that may cause hairfall. A gentle shampoo will also maintain the production of natural oils in the scalp, making sure your hair is moisturised and healthy.

2. Mask weekly

Moving on to the next step – a super nourishing hair mask comes into play. This gives my hair the extra nourishment it needs and really keeps dryness at bay. The creamier formulas work better for me than a conditioner, and I apply them either on dry mid-lengths as a pre-shampoo treatment or in the shower. If you have finer hair that gets weighed down by masking, you can opt for a lighter conditioner.

I use a hair mask once a week and rinse it off with cold water. Look for ingredients like keratin, argan oil, and shea butter, as these provide deep nourishment to hair and strengthen it, reducing hair breakage.

3. Listen to your elders – oil your hair!

The final step in my hair care routine is oiling. It is an age-old tradition and for good reason! It is simple, yet effective and promotes hair growth. Regular hair oiling can help improve blood circulation to the scalp, providing it with the essential nutrients.

I usually oil my hair once a week and like to leave the oil on overnight before washing it off the next morning. I prefer using a hair oil that contains natural ingredients like almond oil, coconut oil and sometimes a third option that has a concoction of ayurvedic herbs. These ingredients are known for their hair-strengthening properties but the catch is, you have to be consistent and patient to see results.

4. Use a hair serum

Detangling hair can lead to breakage. To prevent that, I highly recommend using a hair serum. Look for one with moisturising ingredients like shea butter and rosehip or primrose oil.

That’s it! That is my entire haircare routine and it has, over the last two years, helped me manage hairfall. It’s important to remember that these products take time to show results, so be patient and consistent with your hair care routine. Happy hair days, incoming!