Smart Tips on Hair Loss
Thursday, December 24th, 2009Any hair growth cycle would involve some amount of daily hair loss. 90% of our hair is in a growth stage with 10% in resting phase, which would fall out naturally every 2 or 3 months. Thinning of hair gets noticed when the loss is over the normal shedding limits. These include: Why does hair loss take place? Identifiable with one or more spots of hair loss on the scalp. Generally caused due to immunity disorder where the body’s own white blood cells attack the hair follicles. Alopecia Totalis is another reason for hair loss where all the scalp hair has fallen. Alopecia Universalis is a rather uncommon condition where all the hair of the body is lost.

Hereditary factors: This can affect 25% of men by the time they are 30 years of age. It is primarily genetic but is also due to the male hormone testosterone. One of the functions of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is produced by the conversion of testosterone, causes impairment or stoppage of hair growth and produces short and weak hair. Men not having any testosterone would not suffer from male pattern baldness.
Skin diseases: this can affect the scalp and be the reason for hair loss. Some of the skin diseases include dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp fungus such as ringworm and tinea captis.
Sudden illness or fever: hair can come off in large tufts after an illness or fever. This is generally a temporary phenomenon.
Other causes of hair loss include: Childbirth, The Menopause, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy and Age. There are several other reasons for hair loss other than these main ones.
Hair loss can be treated when you can stop hair fall and promote re-growth. Some ways you could treat hair loss naturally are:
1. Including vitamins A, B, C and E would accelerate 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. Care for the scalp: It would help a lot if you regularly massage your scalp using 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. Beware of scalp abuse: Avoid using harsh chemical shampoos daily and do away with blow drying. Hair and scalp get damaged by chemical treatments such as coloring and straightening. Even daily hair wash with hot water can damage the hair and scalp as hair then turns brittle and the natural oils dry up.
4. Use of herbal care: There are some very effective options here. Use powders of amla, shikakai, henna and ritha as shampoo and conditioner. It is also a powerful anti-oxidant. Shikakai, often called as the Fruit for hair can make an excellent shampoo with its natural low pH. You could then use henna which acts like a natural conditioner.
5. Lifestyle: Stress is a very important factor in hair loss. Try and reduce stress by meditating and exercising. Quit smoking; the nicotine in cigarettes constricts blood vessels and decreases blood flow to the scalp. If you want to prevent damage to the scalp from UV rays, avoid exposure to the sun.

