It is part of normal hair growth cycle. 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. However, when the hair loss goes beyond the normal limits, the thinning is noticeable. These include: Plenty of reasons cause hair loss. The common manifestation is the appearance of one or more spots on the scalp. The cause is usually some immunity disorder where the white cells attack the hair follicles. Alopecia Totalis occurs when all of the scalp hair is lost. Alopecia Universalis is a rare condition when the entire body hair is lost.
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. 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 without testosterone would never have male pattern baldness.
Skin diseases: yet another cause for hair loss which affect the scalp. Some of the skin diseases include dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp fungus such as ringworm and tinea captis.
Sudden illness or fever: hair can come off in large tufts after an illness or fever. This is however a temporary event.
Childbirth, menopause, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and aging are some of the other common causes of hair loss. Over and above these main reasons, there are other reasons too.
Hair loss can be treated when you can stop hair fall and promote re-growth. Some of the natural means for hair loss treatment include:
1. Have plenty of vitamins A, B, C and E. These promote new hair growth. What is the importance of these vitamins? They not only provide sebum, they also help in increase of blood circulation to the scalp by absorbing more oxygen and collagen.
2. Taking care of your scalp: Learn to massage your scalp regularly with herbal oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, amla oil. These include: essential oils of thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedar wood.
3. Avoid scalp abuse: Stop daily use of harmful chemical shampoos and blow drying. Your hair and scalp stand to get damaged if you use harsh chemical processes like coloring as well as straightening. Daily hair wash with hot water depletes hair of natural oil and turn break-prone.
4. Herbal care – Use herbal powders such as amla, shikakai, henna and ritha to shampoo and condition hair. If you are looking for a powerful anti-oxidant which can prevent graying and hair loss, you would get it in amla powder, which is the richest source of natural vitamin C. It cleanses without depriving hair of its natural oil. Then you could use henna which acts as a natural conditioner.
5. Lead a stress free life: To do this, do exercises and meditation. Remember stress initiates hair loss. Smoking is bad for the scalp: This is because the nicotine from cigarettes restricts blood flow to the scalp by constricting the relevant blood vessels. Avoid over exposure to the sun as the UV rays could damage your scalp.