School is starting again. The change of seasons and the associated changes in work and leisure life can bring with it special stress factors that affect hair health. purist spoke with Brianna Diorio, Ph.D., clinical nutritionist and director of product education at Nutrafol, to dive deeper into the science behind hair growth and share tips for optimizing healthy hair this season.
PURIST: What are the causes of hair loss that many people may not even be aware they have at this time of year?
Brianna Diorio: Routines give our lives structure and predictability and can be beneficial for balanced health. However, disruptions to routines can impact well-being. Deviating from established routines during the summer can indirectly and directly impact factors we didn’t realize play a role in hair health, like diet, stress, and sleep. Whether it’s the stress of planning the next sports and carpool schedules, back-to-school shopping, or organizing the kids and their extracurricular activities, these stressors can add up and impact hair health. Some of these choices can indirectly impact interconnected systems, like sleep and nutrition.
PURIST: What tips are there to combat these triggers?
BD: It’s important to protect your health by focusing on factors like stress, diet, sleep, hydration, and exercise, and work on a healthy lifestyle with habits and routines that support your wellness goals. Stay “boring” with your diet – eat nutrient-dense foods that contain a variety of plant compounds, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Focus on high-quality proteins and omega fatty acids for healthy hair. Work on getting some form of exercise every day. Aim for a good night’s sleep every night.
Additionally, taking a supplement like Nutrafol Hair Growth Supplement can help address the underlying causes that may be affecting hair health. Although this time of year can potentially be overwhelming, it is also a wonderful time to refocus on yourself and work on establishing new habits and routines that can support your health.
PURIST: How do you stay consistent while getting back into a routine?
BD: Hair growth takes time. If you start a diet with supplements like Nutrafol, take them regularly for at least three to six months to see results. Stacking habits is also important. If you want to incorporate something new into your routine, stack it with another habit you’ve already adopted: “After I get back from the gym, I eat my breakfast and take my Nutrafol.” Set aside a specific time for the new activity. nutrafol.com
