Common Habits That Are Actually Thinning People's Hair

Do you worry about the day you may become a bit follicularly challenged? Losing hair is a fact of life, but there are a few tricks you can pull to keep the hair plugs at bay. If you want to your 'do to compare to the great follicular icons, then you must treat your hair with love and respect. These destructive hair-thinning habits are easy to pick up and even harder to shake, but correcting them now might just keep your locks looking lush for decades.

Over-Washing

"Wash hair about three to four times a week with the correct shampoo and a conditioner/mask made for color-treated hair," Tonya Le, a celebrity stylist told Insider. "And, in between washes, refresh your hair with a dry shampoo of your choice." Dandruff, split-ends, and hair that's lost its shine are signs of over-washing.

Not Washing Enough

"There isn't an exact number of times you should wash your hair a week," Tonya Le continued. "It depends on your hair texture, your natural-oil production, etc." Too much is bad, and so is too little. To find the right amount, start with every other day and adjust as necessary.

Sun Damage

“Sun damage can come in the forms of discoloration, dry and brittle strands, broken or split ends, thinning and frizziness,” said dermatologist Dr. Wilma Bergfeld. “Damaged hair has a dry look and feel, is unmanageable and won’t hold a curl or style. Damaged hair usually dries quickly, too.”

Smoking

Hair needs oxygen and nutrients to grow, but a cigarette’s toxic chemicals affect blood circulation, which blocks your hair from getting all the good stuff to help it flourish. Avoid smoking at all costs if you're worried about losing hair.