Be Healthy

It is part of normal 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. When the hair fall is in excess of the usual limits, people get concerned. There are several reasons for this, including: Several factors could be behind hair loss. Alopecia areata: Causes rapid hair loss and affects men and women. The cause is usually some immunity disorder where the white cells attack the hair follicles. Alopecia Totalis happens with complete loss of scalp hair. A rare condition sometimes occurs called Alopecia Universalis which involves complete loss of hair from the body.

Hereditary causes: This can result in male pattern baldness which causes 25% of men getting bald by age 30. Over and above the reason being genetic, it could also be due to 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. Male pattern baldness is absent with men devoid of 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 ailments caused by skin diseases.

Sudden illness or fever: big chunks of hair sometimes fall out after an illness or fever. This is a temporary event though and soon passes off.

Childbirth, menopause, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and aging are some of the other factors which could be behind hair loss. There are several other reasons for hair loss other than 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. Scalp care: Use herbal oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, amla oil for regular massaging of the scalp. In conditions of alopecia areata, several oils are proven to be beneficial.

3. Avoid scalp abuse: Avoid daily use of chemical shampoos and blow drying. Chemical processes like coloring as well as straightening can damage your hair and scalp. Daily hair wash with hot water depletes hair of natural oil and turn break-prone.

4. Using herbal care: Using powders of amla, shikakai, henna and ritha as shampoo and conditioner can be an effective treatment. Amla powder is a powerful natural anti-oxidant that prevents graying and hair loss and is the richest known source of vitamin C in natural form. Shikakai, often called as the Fruit for hair can make an excellent shampoo with its natural low pH. You could then use henna which acts like a natural conditioner.

5. Bring lifestyle changes: Reduce stress, an important factor in hair loss. Do this by doing exercises and meditation. Quit the Cancer Stick: The nicotine blocks the blood passage to the scalp, reducing blood supply to this region. To avoid damage to the scalp avoid UV rays from sun exposure.