hair fall treatment at home

Hair fall treatment at home - What is hair loss?

Hair fall treatment at home becomes necessary when our crowning glory, our hair, starts to fall out! It is said that only when we've lost something, do we treasure it, and I am certain all who has lost hair will agree.  

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can be attributed to different reasons and conditions. Keep in mind though that losing hair daily is altogether natural and part of life; it is the handfuls going down the drain, or that stay behind on the comb or brush that may be cause for concern. Shedding up to 100 hairs per day, give or take a few, is quite normal; the natural hair growth cycle basically replaces any lost hair. 

Hair consists of the protein known as keratin, and is found in the follicles which is responsible for the production of new hair cells. The new cells push out the old cells through the scalp; this happens at a rate of approximately 6 inches annually. Every follicle has a cycle which may be affected by many factors including age and illness. Every cycle consists of three phases namely: active hair growth, involution and resting.

Hair fall treatment at home - WHY am I losing hair?

Put in extremely simple terms (the purpose of this article is not an in depth study), there are generally two types of hair loss:

-Anagen effluvium: when hair follicles are destroyed and result in permanent hair loss. Hair loss in this instance can never be considered normal though, and generally is the result of radiation or treatment involving cytotoxic drugs which poison the follicles. It is however completely possible for hair to grow back again after chemotherapy.  

-Telogen effluvium: damage to the hair follicles which only causes temporary hair loss. Happens when the normal life cycle of hair is interrupted; usually triggered by a wide selection of situations and/or conditions.

Before embarking on any hair fall treatment at home, the cause of unnatural hair loss need to be established first. Some of the conditions which lead to hair loss can be temporarily (telogen effluvium), and as such, there are measures one can take to reverse the hair loss process. Some of the factors include, but is by no means limited to:

• Research, including that of the American Academy of Dermatology, indicates the most prevalent reason for hair loss (95% of all cases) can be attributed to androgenetic alopecia ("pattern hair loss"), which is genetic in nature 
• One of the functions of oestrogen in women and testosterone in men, is to facilitate hair growth. When the levels drop to a level where the hormones lose their effectiveness, it causes a hormonal imbalance which needs to be replenished. Hair loss typically is one of the symptoms experienced
• Thyroid gland assists in the regulation of hormone levels. When it does not function correctly the thyroid can either be under active or over-active; may result in hair loss

• When the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles, a condition known as alopecia areata develops. Hair loss occurs in patches which are smooth and round

• Ringworm is an infection which can infest the scalp and hair, causing hair loss. Most prevalent in children

• Other factors which can result in temporary hair loss is stress brought on by severe illnesses (high fever a symptom), major surgery, loss of a loved one, etc

• Giving birth is also known to result in losing hair up to six months after delivery

• Medications for a variety of conditions can also cause hair loss. Some of the conditions are gout, blood pressure, exercising birth control, weight control, depression,etc

• Zinc and iron deficiency. Diet must include enough vitamins, minerals and protein to maintain healthy hair growth. People who do not eat balanced meals are prone to eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, bringing about hair loss.

• Hair pulling is a mental illness, and is the urge to pull out hair. Individuals who suffer from this mental disorder, pull hair from their eyebrows, scalp (leaving bald spots) and other parts of the body. Medical intervention is necessary.

• Treatments we indulge in for cosmetic reasons. The chemicals used to perm, bleach, colour or straighten hair may cause damage which break hair and/or cause hair loss. Hot irons, hot curlers, curling tongs, tight braids, etc all contribute to hair damage which makes hair brittle and weak. This can result in thinner hair. The treatments do not cause baldness, it is the continued pulling of hair during styling. Traction alopecia is the result of tension on the scalp by hair continually pulled so tightly, it damages the follicles resulting in hair loss.

When none of the conditions described above fits an individual's possible reason for hair loss, it may very well be a serious medical condition which needs analysis by a skin specialist (dermatologist) who is best qualified to advise on appropriate treatment. 

Hair fall treatment at home - what are my options?

Hair loss is NO laughing matter. It can adversely affect the way we see ourselves, and also affect our perception of how others see us. Ultimately we would all love to just take pills to make your hair grow faster!

The old adage "prevention is better than cure" may only ring true when we are faced with life changing dilemmas...like hair loss. It is fairly common knowledge that chemotherapy results in hair loss; subsequently it does not come as a surprise. It's those conditions we are uninformed about that can freak us out. 

Many of the triggers which bring about hair loss will naturally correct itself, i.e. when caused by childbirth, serious illness, after chemo, etc. Other causes can be reversed by some simple changes and/or advice. 

• Conditions brought on by medical situations are best treated with expert intervention, i.e. general physician or dermatologist. When drugs cause hair loss, consult your doctor who can best advise on course of action to reverse the effects, i.e. a switch in drugs or lower dosages.  

• Only hair fall home treatment options are discussed in this article. Homemade remedies for hair fall is sometimes all you need to restore your hair to its former glory...

• Hair loss contributed to by mal-nourishment needs can be reversed by including foods rich in vitamins A, B, C and E. You should also eat food which can give your body the necessary zinc, iron and protein to keep on growing healthy hair. Foods containing these include, but are not limited to whole grain, milk, eggs, chicken, oysters, beans, nuts, vegetables and fruits. Refraining from taking in too much alcohol, smoking, enough sleep and exercise all work together for overall health.

To follow is just some of the hair loss treatment at home options you can follow:

• The best hair oil for hair growth is considered to be almond. Massaging your scalp with warm coconut, almond or snake oil is however all very powerful in halting hair loss. Also one of the best hair treatments for dry hair. One of the best natural hair treatments for damaged hair; can be done in the comfort of your home. The oils stimulate hair growth; needs to be applied regularly to obtain desired results though.

• Another home treatment which can yield great results in curbing hair loss is making use of herbs. Shampooing hair with sage, henna, rosemary, amla (known to combat graying and hair loss), peach leaves, shikakai, ritha, aloe vera (good for itchy scalp), and jojoba (apart from inducing hair growth, also good for controlling dandruff). The herbs are boiled and strained. The liquid derived is used as shampoo. Jojoba and henna are both great as natural conditioners for your hair. 

• Get relieve from stress by taking up a hobby, or start participating in some activity such as golf, fishing, reading, bowling, etc. Preventing stress can in itself be a treatment against hair loss.

Finally I'd like to touch on androgenetic alopecia, also known as "pattern hair loss". Genetic in nature, this condition typically leads to hair getting thinner and the hairline recedes. Both sexes are affected by this condition; generally at a younger age in men. In women it starts at a later stage; the effect is more a situation of thinner hair rather than hair loss.  The condition cannot be stopped; there are however treatments which can slow down the process considerably; in some instances may very well produce hair growth. 

A number of treatments available can be bought with or without a doctor's prescription. These products can serve to prevent any further hair loss, so assisting on retaining hair. Products which are quite popular with customers include:

• Minoxidil (Rogaine) and Finasteride (Propecia). These are FDA-approved medications which can be bought over-the-counter without prescription as topical treatment, or oral form on prescription. These are both effective and safe, more so for reducing hair loss rather than stimulating hair growth. Always read instructions before applying any medication to the scalp. By applying Rogaine to the scalp twice daily, hair loss is slowed down. This treatment should not be used by pregnant or nursing women. 

• Finasteride is engineered to arrest the enzyme 5 ar (5-Alpha-Reductase) which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). As testosterone levels decline, the circulation of the enzyme increases. When this happens, conditions such as hair loss is triggered. Finasteride subsequently stops DHT from forming. When the DHT levels constantly remain low, the harmful effects of DHT on hair follicles stop; resulting in hair loss to cease.  

My personal recommendation for hair fall treatment at home is alopecia treatment for men, clinically proven to regrow hair! Hair fall treatment for women is also available in a formula specifically developed for women.

Conclusion:

Treat your hair for the prized possession it is. Develop healthy habits by eating more healthy foods, minimize the use of chemicals, handle wet hair with care as it is weaker when wet and subsequently more prone to damage. Use heat treatment sparingly. Try to avoid hair styles where unnecessary tension is exerted on the scalp as is the case with cornrow styles, braids, buns and ponytails.

When hair fall treatment at home does not yield the desired results, and hair loss is modest, surgery which comprises a hair transplant may be a very good option. It is nevertheless recommended to consult an expert who can advise on the best surgical options available for your specific problem.