There are lots of reasons why your hair texture is changing, and we will explore why, along with the best treatments for your changing hair.
Has your hair been looking or feeling different lately? Through time, our hair can become more or less coarse, thin, thick, curly, or straight. It really can happen, Diva. If you've been wondering why your hair texture is changing, keep reading. We will break down all the reasons why, and how to help treat your changing hair.
As we age, our skin and scalp lose more and more collagen. Collagen plays a vital role in making hair proteins and maintaining strong hair follicles. So having less collagen in your body could lead to drier, less manageable hair. This makes hair hydration key to maintaining hair and scalp health.
Treatment: Try our Moisture LCO & Growth Bundle for ultimate moisture infusion and retention for luscious locks you will love.
Pattern hair loss, known as androgenic alopecia, can give you a genetic predisposition to thinning hair. Although this condition is most commonly observed in men, it can also affect women.
Treatment: An effective treatment for this can be as simple as switching to a shampoo formulated for people experiencing hair loss. But could require medical treatment from a doctor or specialist.
Changes in hormones levels in your body can cause changes in your hair. For example, during pregnancy, estrogen levels are higher, so hair tends to get thicker, shinier, and more manageable. During menopause, on the other hand, we see a spike in androgen and a decrease in estrogen, which causes hair to become thinner.
Treatment: Taking vitamins and using hair thickening treatments that support hair health could do wonders for hormone-related hair thinning. If your hair is thinning, it's a good idea to visit your doctor to check out your hormone levels.
Sudden changes in hair texture could be a signal of an underlying medical condition. Low levels if vitamin D and iron can cause hair to thin. Certain thyroid conditions can also cause sudden changes in hair texture.
Treatment: There's not much to say here, Diva. If you notice a sudden change in the texture of your hair, take care of your health by talking to your doctor.
Some medications have side effects. And some of those side effects could include hair thinning/loss, or excessive hair growth. Medications such as antidepressants, blood pressure medication, beta-blockers, painkillers, and certain acne treatments can cause changes in hair texture.
Treatment: If you started on a medication you suspect may be causing undesired hair texture changes, consult with your doctor or health care professional for solutions or treatments.
Hair requires nutrients in your body to reproduce and grow. Since hair is primarily composed of protein, if you don't consume enough protein or essential fatty acids (specifically omega-3s) it could slow down the rate of hair growth and affect the overall texture, luster, and health of your hair.
Treatment: Improve your hair health by consuming lean proteins - such as, poultry and beans. And omega-3 fatty acids - such as, avocado, salmon, oysters, eggs, Brussels sprouts, hemp seeds, walnuts, and chia seeds. Supplementing with vitamins can also help make up for any gaps in your diet.
Cigarette smoke, air pollution, ambient temperature, sun exposure, washing your hair with hard water - all of these could contribute to a change in hair texture and health.
Warmer temperatures can cause you to lose more water from your body, which can dehydrate your hair, making it dry and brittle. Too much sun exposure can have the same effect.
Researchers found a link between air pollution and decreased levels of a protein essential for hair growth.
Smoking has also been linked to damaged hair follicles and early onset hair loss.
Hard water contains minerals such as magnesium and calcium that coat the hair and make it difficult for moisture to penetrate; this can cause hair to become dry, rough, and brittle.
Treatment: Using products that protect hair from environmental stressors, like our Hello Growth Serum, will seal in moisture, as well as protect, preserve, and grow thinning hair. pH balanced products and those that protect hair from sun damage will help you preserve or improve the health of your hair. Some ways to remedy hard water build up are: using a clarifying shampoo, installing a water softener shower head, and regular use of a hydrating hair mask.
Mental health has become a fairly mainstream topic of discussion. But what you may not know is that stress has been linked to hair loss. The chemicals and hormones released by your body when you are stressed for a prolonged period of time it can cause changes to hair texture and growth, such as slower hair growth, hair thinning, and ultimately, hair loss.
Treatment: Reducing stress is the best way to treat stress-related hair texture changes and hair loss.
Try these ways of reducing stress:
- Speak to a counselor or therapist
- Meditate
- Practice yoga
- Get a massage
- Learn and practice stress management, breathing, and mindfulness techniques
Tight braids, ponytails, heavy weaves, hair extensions, flat irons, blow drying, and other heat styling all contribute to hair loss, thinning, dryness, and breakage.
Tight ponytails, weaves, extensions, and braids can pull the hair out of the follicle overtime and interrupt blood circulation to the scalp, causing hair loss and hindering hair growth.
Heat styled hair could develop a dry and brittle texture. You may also notice thinning towards the hair ends instead of the roots. This happens because there is less protective moisture toward the ends of your hair which makes it more prone to breakage when heat is used. So if you're heat styling, and you're hair just won't grow, now you know why.
Treatment: Wearing your hair loose, letting the scalp breathe (avoiding headwraps, hats, heavy weaves/extensions, tight ponytails/updos, etc), and avoiding heat styling can improve the texture of your hair and promote the growth of healthier hair.
- Chemical Treatments
If you treat your hair with color, relaxers, or bleach, you could be causing chemical burns to your hair. These treatments cause holes in the cuticle layer of the hair leading to dry, brittle, dull, limp, and lifeless locks.
Treatment: Wash your hair less often using a nourishing shampoo, and follow up with a moisture-infusing conditioner. Once a week, switch the conditioner for a deep treatment hair mask. Or try going natural like our founder, Nickie Nou. And use Curls Dynasty's Ultimate Bundle to help rehab your thinning, dull, dry, and damaged hair. Should you decide to embark on your naturalista hair journey, we've got you covered.
Diva, now you know all about what can cause hair texture changes, and treatments for your changing hair. We hope this helps you find ways to grow and glow your hair. And if you know another Diva who's wondering about their own hair, share this with them.