Hair loss is believed to be a predominantly male problem but a growing number of today's women are losing their hair because of too much brushing, bleaching and styling.
Considered as a woman's crowning glory, many women spend too much time taking care of their hair and unconsciously damaging it in the process. The use of chemicals for dyeing, tinting or bleaching can weaken hair and may ultimately cause it to break. Contrary to popular belief, brushing your hair one hundred times a day won't make your hair shine; it actually destroys the hair!
Fortunately, hair loss in these cases can be treated. It can be remedied by following good hair habits such as avoiding tight pony-tails, curlers and strong chemicals and staying out of the sun whenever possible. Also, it might be a good idea to towel dry hair gently instead of rubbing it vigorously after showering.
It is normal for some hair to fall every day while new ones grow. The situation only becomes imbalanced when the rate of expelling old hair is faster than producing new ones. Abnormal hormone secretions, stress, medication and nutritional deficiencies can cause temporary hair loss.
Hair loss (excessive falling and thinning hair) can also follow childbirth, a high fever, surgery or an underlying medical problem. Once these conditions are corrected hair will grow back in few months.
Permanent hair loss, on the other hand, is caused by the weakening of the base of the root where the hair is born. The majority of permanent hair loss cases are caused by excess sebum production that blocks the growth of new hair. Treating cases like these may take anywhere from two months to a year, depending on the case.
For healthier sebum glands, a product that contains algae extract whose active ingredient is spirulina is highly recommended. The algae extracts work by absorbing excess sebum, regulating oily scalp and softening the dry ends.
In fifty-percent of women, however hair loss is permanent because of age, changing hormones and heredity. This condition is called female pattern baldness and it may first become apparent by age 25 to 30.
Unlike male-pattern baldness, female-pattern baldness starts on top of the head where women part their hair. Women won't develop a receding hairline but their hairs gradually become fewer and shorter.
For these women, a topical 5 percent minoxidil solution can help. Minoxidil is a medically proven hair-restorer approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The drug was originally prescribed for hypertension but studies show that it produced moderate to dense hair regrowth in 26% of men between 18 and 49 and in 19% of women aged 18-45 after four months of treatment. Another study showed minoxidil helped hair to grow in 149 or 86% of 173 males suffering from moderate to severe baldness.
Minoxidil works by stimulating hair cells to produce longer and thicker hair. It also increases blood flow to the hair follicles. People using minoxidil report a noticeable decrease in shedding of hair. This means good news for those worried about hair loss!
To benefit from minoxidil, it must be used twice daily for three to six months. The 5 percent formulation is the most potent form.
Other recommended treatments for hair loss are:
o To treat hair loss caused by improper diet, increase your daily intake of vegetables, sprouts, fruits, milk and salad. Eat foods that are rich in protein like soya beans, nuts, buttermilk, wheat germ and yeast. Iodine rich food is also important to improve blood circulation in the scalp.
o Natural remedies like oil or extracts from plants can provide invaluable help. Here are some homemade recipes.
- Castor oil. Massage hair and scalp with warm castor oil for fifteen minutes. Cover the head with shower cap then rinse after one hour.
- Reetha. Soak it overnight in water then boil the mixture for ten to fifteen minutes. Get the water from the seeds and apply to hair.
- Coconut milk and lemon juice. Mix well and massage into the scalp.
- Neem Leaves. Boil neem leaves. Cool and use as hair rinse.
- Egg white. Massage into the scalp; dry it first before rinsing well.
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