Loss of hair everyday is a normal part of the growth cycle of hair. 90% of our hair is in a growth phase; 10% in a resting phase which is lost every 2 or 3 months. However it is when hair loss is in excess of this normal hair shedding that people tend to notice hair thinning. These include: There are several factor which could cause hair loss. Alopecia areata: Causes rapid hair loss and affects men and women. This is usually caused by a disorder of the immune system when the natural white cells attack hair follicles. Alopecia Totalis is another condition where there is total loss of hair on the scalp. This is an uncommon condition.
Propecia is the brand name for Finasteride, an oral medication prescribed for the treatment of male pattern baldness. It is effective in preventing and slowing down hair loss. In a study of males aged 18 to 41 with mild to moderate hair loss, those who took Propecia stopped losing hair or had new hair growth while those taking a placebo lost more hair.
Genetic conditions - Male pattern baldness afflicts about 25% of men by age 30. Male hormone testosterone could also be another contributing factor. Testosterone is usually converted to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Male pattern baldness is absent with men devoid of testosterone.
Skin diseases: this could also be responsible for hair loss and it can affect the scalp. 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: after any serious illness or fever, you could experience large chunks of hair falling out. This is a temporary event though and soon passes off.
Childbirth, menopause, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and aging are some of the other common causes of hair loss. Apart from these reasons, there are several others too.
Not only can you stop hair loss but your can promote re-growth too, when you follow a successful hair loss treatment program. Some of the natural means for hair loss treatment include:
1. One way is to include vitamins A, B, C and E in your diet. This promotes 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. 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. Beware of scalp abuse: Avoid using harsh chemical shampoos daily and do away with blow drying. Hair and scalp can get severely damaged when you use chemical treatments like coloring as well as straightening. Even washing your hair daily with hot water will cause it to get stripped of natural oils and make it dry and brittle.
4. Switch to herbal therapy: Powders of amla, shikakai, henna and ritha as shampoo and conditioner could provide you with a natural and herbal option to treat hair loss. One of the richest sources of natural vitamin C is amla powder, known for its anti-oxidant properties. If you want a hair cleanser which cleanses without depriving your hair of its natural oils, go for Shikakai, also known as the Fruit for hair. Henna is a wonder natural conditioner after this.
5. Bring lifestyle changes: Reduce stress, an important factor in hair loss. Do this by doing exercises and meditation. Forego Smoking: Because the nicotine from the cigarettes blocks the pathway which supplies blood to the scalp and results in reduced supply of blood. Avoid sun exposure since the UV rays could damage the scalp.