JOIN USHairloss is becoming quite a common problem these days. The top reasons for this are stress and pollution.
The other common causes of hair loss are nutritional deficiencies, dandruff, excessive oiliness of the scalp, thyroid imbalance and other ailments. Not to forget, hair damage caused by hair colouring, dyeing, bleaching, straightening, perming and the likes.
Hormonal imbalances during menopause or after pregnancy can also cause hairloss. In men, hair loss can be due to hormonal factors. It is called “male pattern baldness”. Doctors believe that the male sex hormone testosterone is an important factor in male pattern baldness.
If you are facing hair loss, try to find out which causes may apply to you. For instance, hair loss after pregnancy is almost routine. Once the hormones settle down, the problem is controlled. One should also ensure that there are no nutritional deficiencies after pregnancy and during lactation. Your age may also be an important factor. Older women face the problem of thinning hair during the menopausal years. If you are a male, consider if hair loss is hereditary in your family. Both men and women should also consider if they have had any illness recently, or if there is a problem of thyroid imbalance. Regular use of permanent dyes can also lead to hair loss.
People ask how often the hair should be washed and if too much hair washing can lead to hair loss. It is not washing of the hair, but the product one uses, that can have a detrimental effect. Hair should be washed according to hair type and season. In hot and humid weather, hair should be washed more often, in order to remove sweat and oil deposits, along with dirt. If the hair is oily, it should be washed three or four times a week. For dry hair, wash twice a week. If you travel a lot, cleansing your hair frequently is very important, in order to remove dirt and chemical air pollutants.
It is so important to choose the right products. Harsh hair products disturb the normal acid-alkaline balance and also stimulate the scalp further, leading to a build-up of dead cells on the scalp, aggravating problems like dandruff. If the work entails travelling long distances, the hair should be washed frequently, using very little shampoo. If there is excessive oiliness, a hair rinse should also be used.
What are the products which help hair care? First of all, one needs a shampoo or hair cleanser, along with conditioner or hair rinse. If the hair is oily, a hair rinse is better. For dry hair, a creamy conditioner may be used. Leave-on conditioners are also available. Apart from these, you would need hair oil, herbal hair tonic and hair pack. One should select products containing herbs like amla, shikakai, reetha, brahmi, bhringaraj, arnica, trifala, hibiscus (gurhal or javakusuma), bael, neem, sandalwood and the likes. Such ingredients not only have powerful healing properties, but are safer than other commercial and branded products.
There are several clinical treatments for hair - available at salons - to help stimulate the hair follicles. During clinical treatments, hair tonics are also applied and steamers are used for greater absorption. Such treatments also help improve blood circulation to the scalp.
As nutritional deficiency is a common cause of hairloss, maintaining a well-balanced diet is very important. A nutritious diet helps healthy hair growth, as the hair is actually fed by the nutrients in the blood stream.
Taking a small bowl of sprouts daily is a good idea. Sprouts contain amino acids, which are very beneficial to the hair. Include fresh fruits, raw salads, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and curd in your daily diet. 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 have it first thing in the morning. Ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements. Also, practising yoga and meditation help in reducing stress and therefore, arresting hairfall.