How to Stop Hair Loss
It is part of normal hair growth cycle. We tend to lose hair every 2 or 3 months. However it is when hair loss is in excess of this normal hair shedding that people tend to notice hair thinning. 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: Causes rapid hair loss and affects men and women. The cause is usually some immunity disorder where the white cells attack the hair follicles. Alopecia Totalis is another reason for hair loss where all the scalp hair has fallen. Infrequently a condition called alopecia universalis occurs where hair is lost from the entire body.
Hereditary causes: This can result in male pattern baldness which causes 25% of men getting bald by age 30. Though essentially genetic, the reason could also be attributed to testosterone the male hormone. Testosterone converts to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which retards or stops hair growth and causes the emergence of weak or shorter hair. Men not having any testosterone would not suffer from male pattern baldness.
Skin diseases: this could also be responsible for hair loss and it can affect the scalp. Some of the skin diseases include dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp fungus such as ringworm and tinea captis.
Sudden illness or fever: after any serious illness or fever, you could experience large chunks of hair falling out. This is a temporary event though and soon passes off.
Other causes of hair loss include; Childbirth, The Menopause, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy and Age. Apart from these reasons, there are several others too.
Hair loss can often be treated successfully; not only can you stop hair from falling but you can re-grow hair as well. A few of the natural hair loss treatments include:
1. Vitamins A, B, C and E are excellent for promoting new hair growth. What is the importance of these vitamins? They not only provide sebum, they also help in increase of blood circulation to the scalp by absorbing more oxygen and collagen.
2. Scalp care - Massage your scalp with herbal oils such as olive oil, jojoba oil, amla oil. Some of the essential oils which are effective in conditions of alopecia areata include that of thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedar wood.
3. Scalp abuse: Chemical shampoos and blow drying are to be avoided. Hair and scalp get damaged by chemical treatments such as coloring and straightening. Your hair and scalp can get damaged as hair turns brittle and dry when you wash it with hot water daily.
4. Using herbal care: Using powders of amla, shikakai, henna and ritha as shampoo and conditioner can be an effective treatment. It is also a powerful anti-oxidant. Shikakai, often called as the Fruit of hair, has a low pH. Use henna then which plays its role as a natural conditioner.
5. Bring lifestyle changes: Reduce stress, an important factor in hair loss. Do this by doing exercises and meditation. Quit smoking; the nicotine in cigarettes constricts blood vessels and decreases blood flow to the scalp. Avoid over exposure to the sun as the UV rays could damage your scalp.
