It is part of the hair growth cycle. We would lose hair every 2 to 3 months with 90% of the hair in a growing phase and 10% in resting phase. However it is when hair loss is in excess of this normal hair shedding that people tend to notice hair thinning. These include: The common manifestation is the appearance of one or more spots on the scalp. The cause is usually some immunity disorder where the white cells attack the hair follicles. Alopecia Totalis happens with complete loss of scalp hair. This is an uncommon condition.
Genetic conditions – Male pattern baldness afflicts about 25% of men by age 30. Male hormone testosterone could also be another contributing factor. This hormone either retards or stops growth and produces weak and unhealthy hair. Male pattern baldness can not happen to men without any testosterone.
Skin diseases: this can affect the scalp and be the reason for hair loss. Dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp fungus such as ringworm and tinea captis are some of the common skin diseases which cause hair loss.
Sudden illness or fever: after any serious illness or fever, you could experience large chunks of hair falling out. However, this only lasts for a little time.
Other causes of hair loss include; Childbirth, The Menopause, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy and Age. There are other reasons for hair loss over and above 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. Incorporating Vitamins A, B, C and E is essential for good hair growth. There are several ways these vitamins work to promote hair growth: they provide sebum and promote blood circulation to the scalp by increasing oxygen absorption 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. Avoid scalp abuse: Stop daily use of harmful chemical shampoos and blow drying. Hair and scalp can get severely damaged when you use chemical treatments like coloring as well as straightening. Your hair and scalp can get damaged as hair turns brittle and dry when you wash it with hot water daily.
4. Herbal therapy: Powders of amla, shikakai, henna and ritha as shampoo and conditioner can be effective therapy options. It is also a powerful anti-oxidant. It has a natural low pH. Henna then acts as a natural conditioner.
5. Reduce stress: Take the help of exercises and meditation to reduce stress levels, which is another factor in hair loss. Forego Smoking: Because the nicotine from the cigarettes blocks the pathway which supplies blood to the scalp and results in reduced supply of blood. Avoid over exposure to the sun as the UV rays could damage your scalp.