Any hair growth cycle would involve some amount of daily hair loss. 90% of our hair is in a growing stage with 10% in resting phase. People start to notice their hair thinning when the usual loss is beyond the expected limits. These include: Plenty of reasons cause hair loss. Alopecia areata: This results in very rapid hair loss and affects both male and female. This is usually caused by a disorder of the immune system when the natural white cells attack hair follicles. When all the scalp hair is lost it is called Alopecia Totalis. Infrequently a condition called alopecia universalis occurs where hair is lost from the entire body.
It is called male pattern baldness. Though the reason is genetic another contributing factor is testosterone the male hormone. One of the functions of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is produced by the conversion of testosterone, causes impairment or stoppage of hair growth and produces short and weak hair. Men who do not have testosterone do not get male pattern baldness.
Skin diseases: this could also be responsible for hair loss and it can affect the scalp. Such conditions include dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp fungus such as ringworm and tinea captis.
Sudden illness or fever: after any serious illness or fever, you could experience large chunks of hair falling out. This is however a temporary event.
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.
Successful hair loss treatments are available where you not only stop hair loss but re-grow your hair too. Some ways you could have natural hair loss treatments include:
1. Incorporating Vitamins A, B, C and E is essential for good hair growth. Why are these vitamins important for hair loss? Their beneficial actions include: providing sebum, improving blood circulation to the scalp by increasing absorption of oxygen and collagen.
2. Scalp care: Use herbal oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, amla oil for regular massaging of the scalp. Some conditions of alopecia areata can be effectively treated with essential oils of thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedar wood.
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. Even a daily hair wash with hot water can damage hair as well as the scalp with the drying up of natural oils and hair breaking easily.
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. It cleanses without depriving hair of its natural oil. Use henna then which plays its role 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. Quit smoking; the nicotine in cigarettes constricts blood vessels and decreases blood flow to the scalp. Avoid sun exposure since the UV rays could damage the scalp.
