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Some of the most common causes of hair loss are dandruff, oily scalp, thyroid imbalance, stress and nutritional deficiency. Hormonal imbalances during menopause or after pregnancy can also cause hair loss. Nutritional deficiency is probably one of the most common causes. That is why diet is so important. In men, hair loss can be due to hormonal factors, leading to a condition known as male pattern baldness.
I am often asked how often hair should be washed and if too much hair washing can lead to hair loss. It is not washing of hair, but the product that one uses that causes damage. Hair should be washed according to hair type and season. In hot and humid weather, hair should be washed more often in order to clean the scalp and hair. Dry hair should be washed twice a week.
Use only diluted shampoo and rinse well with water. For short hair, take half a teaspoon of shampoo. For long hair, use one teaspoon of shampoo. Dilute it with a little water and apply. A one-time application is usually enough unless you have applied oil.
Ideally, select a mild herbal shampoo. Harsh hair products disturb the normal acid-alkaline balance and stimulate the scalp further, aggravating problems like dandruff. If there is excess oil after a wash, do a hair rinse.
Leave-on conditioners and hair serums are also available in the market. You may treat your hair to a little shine once in a while.
If there is hair loss, apply warm oil but avoid massaging your head by pulling hair strands. Using only the fingertips, move your fingers in small circular movements for one or two minutes on the scalp.
Like I said earlier, as nutritional deficiency is one of the most common causes of hair loss, diet plays an important role in controlling hair loss. Eat a small bowl of sprouts daily.
Sprouts contain amino acids, which are good for the hair. Include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and curd in your daily diet. Soyabean also helps. If the scalp is oily, or if there is dandruff, drink plenty of water. Add the juice of a lemon to a glass of water and drink it, first thing in the morning.
Ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.
Hair loss or balding is more common among men than women. Options like hair weaving, hair extensions and transplants are available today. Hair weaving is for partial baldness, where the hair is woven to the roots of existing hair or glued on.
Partial hair extensions are becoming popular too. However, washing and keeping the scalp clean becomes a problem and you may have to visit the salon periodically to get the weave tightened when your hair grows out.
Hair transplant is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the scalp which contains hair is taken, along with hair follicles, and grafted on the bald patch. The hair then begins to grow over the next few months. Hair weaving is a surgical procedure too. It may be done in one session or over several sessions.
Hair weaving and transplants cost at least Rs 30,000 or more.