Hair loss is a natural phenomenon. Falling 100 hair follicles per day is a normal thing and we can’t control it. But if hair loss exceeds the normal it can lead to baldness. Hair loss has become the most common problem worldwide. It affects one-third of the population.
There are many causes of hair loss. However, you can stop hair loss by following many home remedies or dietary guidelines. This article will help you a lot to recover from hair loss. By reading this article, you will be able to know how to prevent hair loss.
What causes hair loss?
Hair loss has many causes. What’s causing your hair loss can determine whether your hair:
- Falls out gradually or abruptly
- Thins
- Can regrow on its own
- Requires treatment to regrow
- Needs immediate care to prevent permanent hair loss
Causes of hair loss
Hereditary hair loss
Both men and women develop this type of hair loss, which is the most common cause of hair loss worldwide. In men, it’s called male pattern hair loss. Women get female pattern hair loss. Regardless of whether it develops in a man or women, the medical term is androgenic alopecia.
No matter which term you use, it means that you’ve inherited genes that cause your hair follicles (what each hair grows out of) to shrink and eventually stop growing hair. Shrinking can begin as early as your teens, but it usually starts later in life.
In women, the first noticeable sign of hereditary hair loss is usually overall thinning or a widening part.
When a man has hereditary hair loss, the first sign is often a receding hairline or bald spot at the top of his head.
Is regrowth possible?
Yes, treatment can help stop or slow hair loss. It may also help regrow hair. The earlier treatment is started, the better it works. Without treatment, you will continue to lose hair.
Age
With age, most people notice some hair loss because hair growth slows. At some point, hair follicles stop growing hair, which causes the hair on our scalp to thin. Hair also starts to lose its color. A woman’s hairline naturally starts to recede.
Is regrowth possible?
Caught early, treatment helps some people regrow their hair.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a disease that develops when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles (what holds the hair in place), causing hair loss. You can lose hair anywhere on your body, including your scalp, inside your nose, and in your ears. Some people lose their eyelashes or eyebrows.
Is regrowth possible?
Yes. If your hair fails to grow back on its own, treatment may help stimulate regrowth.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a disease that develops when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles (what holds the hair in place), causing hair loss.
Cancer treatment
If you receive chemotherapy or have radiation treatment to your head or neck, you may lose all (or most of) your hair within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Is regrowth possible?
Hair usually starts to regrow within months of finishing chemotherapy or radiation treatments to the head or neck. Dermatologists can offer medication to help hair grow back more quickly.
Is it preventable?
Wearing a cooling cap before, during, and after each chemotherapy session may help prevent hair loss.
Childbirth, illness, or other stressors
A few months after giving birth, recovering from an illness, or having an operation, you may notice a lot more hairs in your brush or on your pillow. This can also happen after a stressful time in your life, such as a divorce or death of a loved one.
Is regrowth possible?
If the stress stops, your body will readjust and the excessive shedding will stop. When the shedding stops, most people see their hair regain its normal fullness within 6 to 9 months.
Hair care
If you color, perm, or relax your hair, you could be damaging your hair. Over time, this damage can lead to hair loss.
Is regrowth possible?
You can change how you care for your hair, which can prevent hair loss. Once you damage a hair follicle, hair cannot grow from that follicle. Having many damaged hair follicles creates permanent bald spots
Hairstyle pulls on your scalp
If you often wear your hair tightly pulled back, the continual pulling can lead to permanent hair loss. The medical name for this condition is traction alopecia.
Is regrowth possible?
No. You can prevent hair loss by making some changes.
Hormonal imbalance
A common cause of this imbalance is polycystic ■■■■■ syndrome (PCOS). It leads to cysts on a woman’s ovaries, along with other signs and symptoms, which can include hair loss. Stopping some types of birth control pills can cause a temporary hormonal imbalance. Women who develop a hormonal imbalance can develop thinning hair (or hair loss) on their scalp.
Is regrowth possible?
Treatment may help.
Scalp infection
A scalp infection can lead to scaly and sometimes inflamed areas on your scalp. You may see what look like small black dots on your scalp. These are actually stubs of hair. Some people develop a bald spot.
Is regrowth possible?
Yes, treatment can get rid of the infection. Once the infection clears, hair tends to grow.
Medication
A possible side effect of some medications is hair loss. If you think a medication is causing your hair loss, ask the doctor who prescribed it if hair loss is a possible side effect. It’s essential that you do not stop taking the medication before talking with your doctor. Abruptly stopping some medications can cause serious health problems.
Is regrowth possible?
Yes.
Scalp psoriasis
Many people who have plaque psoriasis develop psoriasis on their scalp at some point. This can lead to hair loss.
Is regrowth possible?
Hair tends to regrow once the scalp psoriasis clears, but this takes time. By following these dermatologists’ tips, you may be able to prevent hair loss.
Pulling your hair
Some people pull on their hair, often to relieve stress. They may be unaware that they’re pulling their hair. The medical term for this is trichotillomania.
Is regrowth possible?
If you haven’t destroyed the hair follicles, yes. For your hair to regrow, you have to stop pulling it.
Scarring alopecia
This condition develops when inflammation destroys hair follicles. Once destroyed, a hair follicle cannot grow hair. Diverse conditions can cause this. The medical name for this group of conditions is cicatricial alopecia.
Is regrowth possible?
Once a hair follicle is destroyed, it cannot regrow a hair. Catching this condition early can prevent further hair loss.
Sexually transmitted infection
Left untreated, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can lead to hair loss. Syphilis is such an STI. Left untreted, syphilis can cause patchy hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, beard, and elsewhere. Other STIs can also cause hair loss.
Is regrowth possible?
After treating the STI, hair often starts to regrow.
Thyroid disease
If you have a problem with your thyroid, you may see thinning hair. Some people notice that their hair comes out in clumps when they brush it.
Is regrowth possible?
Yes, treating the thyroid disease can reverse the hair loss.
Too little biotin, iron, protein, or zinc
If you’re not getting enough of one or more of these, you can have noticeable hair loss.
Is regrowth possible?
Yes. When your body gets enough of the missing nutrients, hair can regrow.
While many causes of hair loss can be treated successfully, the key to effective treatment is to find out what’s causing the hair loss. Without an accurate diagnosis, treatment is often ineffective.
Natural remedies to stop hair fall
Onion juice
Onion juice is an excellent remedy for baldness and hair loss. It has been used for centuries to treat hair-related problems.
Onion juice is used to treat
- Dandruff 1
- Hair fall
- Thin, dry, and brittle hair
- Alopecia
- ■■■■■■■■■ graying of hair
- Scalp infection
- Onion juice is rich in sulfur and zinc.
- Sulfur is a very important component of protein and proteins are very important for hair growth.
- Sulfur in onions helps to strengthen hair and play role in increases in blood circulation.
How to make onion juice?
Peel about 2 to 3 onions.
Then extract its juice via juicer or squeezing.
Apply the juice on the scalp.
Place it on the scalp for about 30 minutes.
Wash it with a mild shampoo.
Egg and yogurt mask
- Eggs are rich in proteins that help to strengthen hair.
- Eggs also contain biotin which is very important for the growth of hair.
- It provides natural moisture to hair and makes them smooth, shiny, and silky.
- Yogurt contains lactic acid which is considered as the best conditioner for hair.
- Egg yogurt mask is very helpful to reduce hair loss.
How to make it?
- Beat one egg in a container.
- Add one tablespoon of yogurt.
- Add one tablespoon of lemon juice (optional). Lemon juice will make your hair black and shiny.
- Apply this mask on your scalp and hair with the help of a brush.
- After one hour rinse it with water. And wash it with mild shampoo.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is the best remedy to promote hair growth.
Aloe vera contains vitamin A, C, E, B12, and folic acid that helps to reduce hair loss.
It enhances blood circulation and it is used to treat itchy scalp and inflammation.
Its anti-inflammatory properties are helpful to reduce Seborrheic dermatitis.
It makes your hair soft, smooth, and shiny.
How to make aloe vera hair mask?
- Take two tablespoons of Aloe Vera gel.
- Add one tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of yogurt.
- Mix it well and apply it on the scalp.
- After 30 minutes wash it with water and shampoo.
- To treat dandruff use aloe vera with apple cider vinegar.
How to prevent hair loss?
Regularly wash your hair with mild shampoo
Regular hair washing is a part of preventing hair loss by the way of keeping hair and scalp clean. Doing so, you are lowering the risk of infections and dandruff that may lead to hair breakage or loss. Moreover, clean hair gives the impression of more volume.
Vitamin for hair loss
Vitamins are not only healthy for overall well being but also good for your hair. Vitamin A encourages healthy production of sebum in the scalp, vitamin E betters blood circulation in the scalp to help hair follicles remain productive and vitamin B helps hair maintain its healthy color.
Enrich diet with protein
Eating lean meats, fish, soy or other proteins promotes hair health and in turn helps curb hair loss.
Scalp massage with essential oils
Those who have been experiencing hair loss for quite some time must massage the scalp with essential oil for couple of minutes. It helps your hair follicles remain active. You can add lavender in an almond or sesame oil.
Avoid brushing wet hair
When hair is wet, it is in its weakest state. So avoid brushing wet hair because the chances of hair loss increases. But if you must comb wet hair, use a very wide-toothed comb. Also avoid brushing hair too frequently as doing so can injure hair and increase loss. Use your fingers to undo tangles, not a comb or brush.
Garlic juice, onion juice or ginger juice
Rub one of the juices on your scalp, leave it overnight and wash it out in the morning. Do it regularly for a week and you will see noticeable result.
Keep yourself hydrated
The hair shaft comprises one quarter water so drink at least four to eight cups of water in a day to stay hydrated and for the growth of healthy hair.
Rub green tea into your hair
Studies have shown that rubbing green tea into hair may help curb hair loss problem. All you need to do is brew two bags of green tea in one cup of water, leave to cool and thereafter, apply it to your hair. Rinse your hair thoroughly after an hour. To see results, practice this regularly for a week to ten days.
Know what is bad for hair
If you want to keep hair healthy, you must know how to take care of them. Avoid rubbing your hair dry with a towel. Rather, let hair dry naturally.
Reduce Alcoholic Beverages
If you are experiencing hair loss than lessen your alcohol intake because drinking alcohol reduces hair growth. So decrease or eliminate alcohol to see an increase in hair growth.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking cigarettes reduces the amount of blood that flows to the scalp and this causes a reduction in hair growth.
Physical activity
Make time for physical activity every day. Walk, swim or bike for 30 minutes a day helps balance hormonal levels, reducing stress levels besides reducing hair fall.
De-stress
Studies in the past have found medical evidence to link stress with hair loss. De-stress yourself; one of the ways of doing it is by practicing meditation. Alternative therapies such as meditation and yoga not only reduce stress but restores hormonal balance.
Keep your head sweat free
Men with oily hair, experience dandruff during summer due to sweating and the chances of hair fall increases. Using shampoos that contains aloe vera and neem can keep the head cool and prevent from dandruff.
Also, men who wear helmet experience major hair loss in summer. As the sweat accumulates in the pores and weakens hair roots causing hair loss in men. So wearing a scarf/ bandanna over your hair or a terry cloth headband can prevent hair loss.
Take care of your health
Health problems are harbingers of hair loss. Ensure you deal with chronic illnesses, high fevers and infections properly to ensure healthy hair.
Keep a watch on medication
Certain medications may have side-effects, one of which could be hair loss. Consult a doctor to ask about conditions that you may have. Let him know if the medication is causing hair loss and if that is the case, ask him to change the medication.
Keep away from chemicals
Harsh chemicals and permanent hair color products could be damaging for hair health. When you are experiencing hair loss, it is advised not to color your hair.
Schedule appointments with doctors regularly
There are many health conditions, particularly skin-related conditions, that causes changes in hormonal balances which in turn lead to hair loss. Make sure you see a doctor regularly for your underlying illnesses and conditions.
Other ways to prevent hair fall
Biotin
Biotin, also known as vitamin H, is one of the B complex vitamins that helps our body convert food into energy. Studies suggest that including biotin-rich food in your diet or taking biotin supplement may slow hair loss. If you are dealing with hair fall problems, then include biotin-rich foods like nuts, sweet potatoes, eggs, onions and oats in your diet.
Bhringraj
Bhringraj, also known as False Daisy is a medicinal herb that has been used for a long time to prepare Ayurvedic medicines to prevent hair loss. As per studies carried out on lab mice, Bhringraj extract promotes hair regrowth.
Green tea
Green tea is not only beneficial when trying to shed kilos, but is also a herbal remedy for hair loss. Green tea contains polyphenolic compounds, which is considered quite beneficial to prevent hair fall.
Frequently asked questions
1- Can you grow back thinning hair?
It depends on the hair follicle. If the hair follicle is scared or is damaged then hair growth is not possible. But if the hair follicle remains intact then hair regrowth is possible.
2- How can I regrow my hair after thinning it?
- Massage scalp daily
- Use essential oils
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Stay away from stress
- Try supplements
- Skip daily shampoos
3- Which oil is best for hair?
- Almond oil is best for treating dandruff.
- Coconut oil is best for all types of hair.
- Argan oil is best for dry hair.
4- Does rice water grow hair?
It is not scientifically evident that rice water grows hair. But rice water contains essential vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates that help to promote hair growth by keeping hair follicles healthy. Rice water is good to make your hair shinier, healthier, and thicker.
5- Can hair grow 2 inches in a month?
According to dermatologists, per month hair growth is about half an inch. In one-year hair growth is about 6 inches.
6- How often should I wash my hair?
You should wash your hair every 2 to 3 days. Washing time also depends on hair type.
Conclusion
Hair loss is becoming common problem these days. Falling hundred hair follicles per day is normal. Excess hair fall can lead to baldness. Hair fall is because of many reasons. Nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalance, stress and thyroid issues are most common causes of hair fall. Hair fall can be reduced by certain home remedies. Onion juice and protein mask is best for hair growth and repair hair loss.
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