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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

The following tips can help keep your hair healthy and may minimize the appearance of hair loss:

  • Eat a nutritionally balanced diet.
  • Handle your hair gently. Whenever possible, allow your hair to air-dry naturally.
  • Avoid tight hairstyles, such as braids, buns or ponytails.
  • Avoid compulsively twisting, rubbing or pulling your hair.
  • Check with hair care experts about hairpieces or styling techniques that help minimize the effects of balding.
  • The over-the-counter (nonprescription) medication minoxidil (Rogaine) promotes new hair growth and prevents further hair loss in a small percentage of people. Other over-the-counter hair growth products have no proven benefit.

DS00278

Feb. 1, 2008

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