PCOS is a hormonal condition that primarily affects women of reproductive age. It is one of the most prevalent endocrine abnormalities in women, causing symptoms such as irregular or nonexistent menstrual periods, excessive hair growth, acne, and obesity.
PCOS causes an increase in androgen production, which leads to virilization. This refers to the development of more masculine traits, such as more hair growthon places like the face, neck, chest, and abdomen.
Excess androgens can also cause hair thinning on your head, particularly near the front of your scalp. This is characterised as androgenic alopecia, sometimes known as female pattern hair loss.
Here are some tips for managing hair loss during PCOS.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet is essential for managing PCOS and can help manage hair fall. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and healthy fats in your diet, and limit processed and sugary foods.
Also read: 4 Ways You Can Handle PCOD Symptoms At Home
Avoid Tight Hairstyles
Avoid tight hairstyles such as tight ponytails, braids, and buns, as they can cause hair breakage and increase hair fall. Tight hairstyles can cause hair loss if they are worn too often or too tight. Traction alopecia is the medical term for this type of hair loss. To avoid alopecia, avoid wearing rapid hairstyles too frequently, avoid applying too much force during styling.If you are experiencing hair loss after wearing a tight hairstyle, it is essential to seek medical advice.
Limit Heat Styling
The use of heat styling tools, such as curling irons, blow dryers and straighteners, can cause hair loss if used too often or at too high of a temperature. Heat styling is known for damaging the hair follicles, which can lead to hair breakage, splitting and thinning. In some cases, excessive heat styling can cause permanent hair loss. To prevent this, it is best to use heat styling tools on a low to a medium setting and limit their use to a few times a week. Additionally, using heat-protectant products can help to protect the hair and reduce the risk of hair loss.
Avoid Chemical Treatments
Chemical treatments such as relaxers, straighteners, and perms can cause hair loss. It is caused by chronic tension on the hair shaft from the chemical treatments, which eventually weakens and damages the hair follicle. To reduce the risk of hair loss due to chemical treatments, it is important to use products that are specifically designed for the hair type and to minimize the use of heat styling tools. It is also important to follow the instructions of the product and to use a deep conditioning treatment after each chemical treatment to help protect the hair.
Use A Mild Shampoo
Choose a mild shampoo free of sulfates and parabens, as these can strip away natural oils from the scalp and cause dryness and hair fall.
Also read: Expert Talks About Complications In Pregnancy Due To PCOD
Many shampoos are formulated with harsh chemicals that can strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation that may make the scalp more vulnerable to breakage and hair loss.
Massage Your Scalp
Massaging your scalp can be beneficial in treating hair loss. Massaging the scalp stimulates the hair follicles, which helps hair grow and promotes circulation to the scalp. Additionally, massaging your scalp can help reduce stress, which can be a factor in hair loss. Massaging your scalp for 10 to 15 minutes a day can also help reduce dandruff and improve scalp health. To massage your scalp, use your fingertips to gently massage in a circular motion. You can also use a scalp massager, which is a tool that vibrates and helps to stimulate the scalp.
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