Healthy hair is one of the main components that build an impressive personality. At first glance, what people notice is our hair. Healthy hair is an eye-catching and elegant form of self-expression. Healthy hair makes you more beautiful, more confident and more positive. Good and healthy hair is defined by hair health, so hair care is very important. Hair loss is something we all experience at some point in our life. It is quite natural.
The hair undergoes a lifecycle involving growth, resting, and shedding. Losing your hair is usually not a point of concern because losing 100 hairs a day is considered very normal. But if you experience excessive hair loss, it is anagen effluvium. When the hair growth stops, it results in hair loss. Hair loss is sometimes temporary, or it may be a sign of some underlying health issue, for instance:
- Stress
- Weight loss
- Vitamin and iron deficiency
- Hereditary hair loss
- Immune system overreacts
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy, childbirth, menopause
- Having thyroid issues
- Undergone an operation
- After chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Almost 8 million women and 7.4 million men experience hair loss in the UK. Baldness is very common in people at the age of 40. Male/female pattern baldness or hair loss is called androgenic alopecia. In men, hair loss results in receding hairline and bald patches, whereas in women, hair gets thinner, reducing hair volume.
Preventing Hair Loss
Prevention is always better than cure. So concentrate and invest your energy to prevent your hair loss rather than getting depressed with low self-esteem. Try to focus on your hair health and follow some basic tips to avoid hair loss, for instance:
· Treat diet deficiency
Hair loss may occur due to several diet deficiencies. Protein (keratin) serves as the building block of hair follicles. Try to eat a protein-rich diet to prevent hair loss like:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Chicken/turkey
- Nuts
- Peas and beans
Mediterranean diet also reduces the risk of hair loss. Olive oil is the primary ingredient of this diet. It consists of fresh herbs and raw vegetables like:
- Basil
- Parsley
- Salad greens
- Spinach
· Take essential vitamins
Vitamin A B C D, iron and zinc are all important for the hair growth and development of hair follicles. Try to take your daily dose of multivitamin either prescribed by your GP or simply have one from a drug store. Vitamin A helps increases the rate of hair growth. Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to hair loss. Take up to 1000 IU of vitamin D daily after consulting your GP. Biotin-vitamin B7 or vitamin H is essential for the hair cycle, and its deficiency may result in hair loss. Take a daily dose of multivitamins along with your regular meals.
· Saw palmetto and Ginseng
Saw palmetto is a natural herb that comes from the fruits of dwarf pine trees. It tends to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth. Ginseng, either taken as a supplement or used topically, is beneficial for the healthy development of hair follicles. It promotes hair growth on the scalp.
· Maintain hair hygiene
Try to keep your scalp clean by washing your hair daily. If you are experiencing hair loss, use baby shampoo or some mild shampoo to avoid dryness and hair breakage. Regular washing is a must for having a sweat-free scalp. A mild shampoo is always recommended instead of harsh formulas that may eventually lead to hair fall.
· Massaging hair
A good hair massage not only soothes you but also helps in blood circulation and is suitable for hair health. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which helps prevent hair breakage. Try to give your scalp a good and gentle massage with coconut oil for better blood flow and hair growth. Olive oil is good as well. It works as a deep conditioner and helps prevent dryness and hair breakage. After massaging, let the oil stay in your hair for at least 2 hours.
· Apply essential oils
Essential oils are also beneficial for hair growth and prevent hair loss. Apply a few drops of essential oil with some carrier oil (coconut oil, jojoba oil) and massage gently on your scalp. Essential oils improve hair strength and are best for hair loss. Some of the essential oils are:
- Lavender oil
- Lemongrass oil
- Peppermint oil
- Evening primrose oil
Apply fresh onion juice directly to your scalp and let it rest in your hair for 30 minutes. Onion juice has sulfur which supports strong and thick hair.
· Avoid hair processes
Chemical treatments applied to the hair (hair dyes, perms) results in hair damage. Go for organic hair dyes and only use chemicals free of ammonia, peroxide, para-phenylenediamine (PPD). Try to avoid:
- Frequent hair colouring
- Constant heating and drying
- Avoid brushing wet hair
- Tight braids or ponytails
- Heat stylers like curling and straightening irons
· Yoga
Yoga helps prevent hair loss that results due to stress. Certain yoga poses relax and lower your stress level. Once your stress level decreases, your hair fall also decreases. Practice yoga if you are having a stress-related hair fall. Some beneficial yoga poses are:
- Forward bend
- Fish pose
- Kneeling pose
- Shoulder stand
- Camel pose