Every hair growth cycle involves some amount of hair loss daily. While 90% of our total hair is in a growing phase, 10% is in a resting phase which would usually fall off every 2 or 3 months. People start to notice their hair thinning when the usual loss is beyond the expected limits. Reasons for this are many including: Hair loss can be due to several factors including: There are more than one reason for hair loss. It affects men and women and the hair loss is very rapid. This is usually caused by a disorder of the immune system when the natural white cells attack hair follicles. Alopecia Totalis occurs when all of the scalp hair is lost. A rare condition sometimes occurs called Alopecia Universalis which involves complete loss of hair from the body. The Provillus food supplement contains vitamins, minerals and various nutrients. Although the Provillus supplement is in many cases marketed as a product for prevention of hair loss and hair regrowth, like all other hair loss supplements there is no firm clinical evidence to suggest it will be effective to this purpose.
Genetic conditions – Male pattern baldness afflicts about 25% of men by age 30. Not just genetic, the male hormone testosterone could also play a role. Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which slows down or stops hair growth and produces weaker, shorter hair. Male pattern baldness is absent with men devoid of testosterone.
Skin diseases – Skin diseases can affect the scalp and cause hair loss. The specific skin diseases causing hair loss include dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp fungus such as ringworm and tinea captis.
Sudden illness or fever: big chunks of hair sometimes fall out after an illness or fever. However, this only lasts for a little time.
Childbirth, menopause, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and aging could also be the other reasons for hair loss. These are the main reasons for losing hair but there are others.
Treating hair loss can be done successfully by which you not only stop hair fall but help in re-growth too. Here are some natural ways you could treat hair loss:
1. Vitamins A, B, C and E are hair promoters. Include them in the diet. 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. Importance of scalp care: Remember to massage your scalp regularly with herbal oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, amla oil. If you want to treat conditions of alopecia areata, try some essential oils like that of thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedar wood.
3. Avoiding scalp abuse: Chemical shampoos and blow drying must be avoided. Chemical treatments like coloring as well as straightening damage hair and scalp. 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. Using herbal care: Using powders of amla, shikakai, henna and ritha as shampoo and conditioner can be an effective treatment. It is also excellent in preventing graying and hair loss. If you want a thorough hair cleanser which does not rob hair of its natural oil, choose Shikakai, also know as the Fruit for hair. 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. Say No to Smoking: Did you know that nicotine from smoking narrows the blood vessels which supply blood to the scalp? Avoid over exposure to the sun as the UV rays could damage your scalp.