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Epilepsy and Migraine Medications Some medications prescribed for these disorders can make hair curly or even cause it to fall out. Psoriasis Prescriptions Many medications to treat this condition can cause hair to change color. They can even interfere with a hair's root, causing a change in hair texture. A client's original color and texture can return when the medications are stopped. If you're taking any of these medications, consider mentioning them to your hair professional during consultation to see if any adjustments to your salon service should be made. #2 STRESS This nasty little word causes so many big problems. Psychological and physical stressors, like a great loss, illness, pregnancy, or depression, can cause telogen effluvium—a period of hair thinning. Don't worry (pun intended), this is temporary, and the hair can absolutely grow back on its own. However, it might take 3–6 months after the stressful time period for the hair to begin its regrowth. It's perfectly normal to lose 80–100 hairs per day. If you're losing 100-plus hairs each day, and you're taking proper care not to excessively damage your hair, this hair loss may be a sign you need to take some deep breaths, get more sleep, and find a healthy outlet to relieve daily pressures. #1 MEDICATIONS Your hair is part of your body and certainly not immune to the medications you ingest. There are a number of medications that cause hair color to darken or lighten, straight hair to become curly or vice versa, hair to have adverse reactions to chemicals used in salon products, and even hair loss. Of course, we know chemotherapy can devastate hair, but so can some more common medications. Here are a few examples. Acne Controls Prescription retinols can change hair texture and appearance, and even cause hair loss in a small number of people. Antidepressants Prozac and lithium (commonly used to treat bipolar disorder) can cause hair loss for up to one year after the therapy begins. Fortunately, the hair loss stops when the medication is discontinued. Blood Pressure Regulators Many beta-blocking medications are known to cause hair thinning, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been associated with hair loss. Contraceptives While the effects are infrequent and mild, some women experience heightened hair loss when they stop taking a contraceptive that has been a part of their life for many years. #3 POOR NUTRITION As if we don't already have enough reasons to watch our diets, add luscious hair to the list. It only makes sense that if you're filling your body with junk food, there won't be many vitamins and nutrients to go around. Your body will ration the little bit of good nutrition it receives for your vital organs, like the heart and lungs. Your hair is low in the body's pecking order and may become dull, brittle, and limp from lack of nutrients. A diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole foods, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats will provide the necessary nutrients for healthy hair. Bring on the avocados and dark chocolate! #4 WATER If you've ever noticed a crusty buildup on your faucet, or film on your shower walls, that's from minerals in your water. Just imagine what that water is coating your hair with! Even if you have a water softener, it deposits salt into the water, which can also build up on the hair. All of this causes dry, dull, flat, and sad hair. Minerals hiding in your water grab onto hair like fleas on a dog and need to be professionally, scientifically removed. If you use hard water, well water, or fear a mineral buildup in your hair, let your hair professional know so they can use a chelating treatment to remove the free radicals (which attack hair color) and bring your hair back to its natural, beautiful state. ■ associatedhairprofessionals.com 5 When a hair service doesn't achieve a client's desired results, blame is often cast on the hair professional. But our hair is a unique structure—susceptible to many factors, both internal and environmental. Here are four things to keep in mind when your hair is behaving unpredictably.