How To Stop Hair Loss?
The natural hair growth cycle would involve daily hair loss. While 90% of our total hair is in a growing phase, 10% is in a resting phase which would usually fall off every 2 or 3 months. Thinning of hair gets noticed when the loss is over the normal shedding limits. Reasons for this are many including: Hair loss can be due to several factors including: There are more than one reason for hair loss. Alopecia areata: Affecting both men and women, the loss is rapid. This is usually caused by an immunity disorder when the intrinsic white cells attack the hair follicles. When all the scalp hair is lost it is called Alopecia Totalis. This is an uncommon condition.
Hereditary causes: This can result in male pattern baldness which causes 25% of men getting bald by age 30. Over and above the reason being genetic, it could also be due to testosterone the male hormone. Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which slows down or stops hair growth and produces weaker, shorter hair. Men not having any testosterone would not suffer from male pattern baldness.
Skin diseases: this is a common reason for hair loss and it could affect the scalp too. Dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp fungus such as ringworm and tinea captis are some of the ailments caused by skin diseases.
Sudden illness or fever: big chunks of hair sometimes fall out after an illness or fever. This is however a temporary event.
Childbirth, menopause, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and aging are some of the other factors which could be behind hair loss. There are several other reasons for hair loss other than these main ones.
Hair loss can often be treated successfully; not only can you stop hair from falling but you can re-grow hair as well. Some natural hair loss treatments are:
1. One way is to include vitamins A, B, C and E in your diet. This promotes hair growth. Why are these vitamins important for hair loss? Their beneficial actions include: providing sebum, improving blood circulation to the scalp by increasing absorption of oxygen and collagen.
2. Importance of scalp care: Remember to massage your scalp regularly with herbal oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, amla oil. Essential oils of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedar wood have also been known to be effective in conditions of alopecia areata.
3. Scalp abuse: Chemical shampoos and blow drying are to be avoided. Hair and scalp can get severely damaged when you use chemical treatments like coloring as well as straightening. Even a daily hair wash with hot water can damage hair as well as the scalp with the drying up of natural oils and hair breaking easily.
4. Going the herbalk way: Try using powders of amla, shikakai, henna and ritha as shampoo and conditioner. One of the richest sources of natural vitamin C is amla powder, known for its anti-oxidant properties. It has a natural low pH. Henna is a wonder natural conditioner after this.
5. Bring lifestyle changes: Reduce stress, an important factor in hair loss. Do this by doing exercises and meditation. Smoking is bad for the scalp: This is because the nicotine from cigarettes restricts blood flow to the scalp by constricting the relevant blood vessels. To avoid damage to the scalp avoid UV rays from sun exposure.
