January 28, 2010

Causes of Hair Falling in Men and Women

Posted in Category : Hair Care

All of us experience at least some amount of hair fall, regardless of our age or gender. It is quite normal for around 50 to 100 strands of hair to fall out each day. With about 100,000 strands of hair on your scalp, this fall should not cause any noticeable difference. Moreover, your body replaces the fallen strands with new strands of hair on a daily basis. However, in case you experience a higher amount of hair fall than is normal, your hair may soon get thinner, as your body cannot replace the strands as fast as they fall out. In such cases, you may need to take certain steps to prevent hair fall or you may suffer from thin, scanty hair. Let unchecked, severe hair fall can also lead to partial or complete baldness.

There are several different factors that could cause your hair to fall out in excessive numbers. In order to stop hair fall, you may first need to identify these factors and then address them. Some of the most common causes of hair fall include:

  • Age
  • Bacterial or fungal infections on the scalp
  • Disorders in the thyroid gland
  • Excess stress
  • Health conditions like lupus and diabetes
  • Heredity
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Lack of proper nutrition
  • Use of certain medication (mainly for cancer, gout, arthritis, hypertension & depression)

Therefore, hair fall can actually be an indication of a serious problem and hence, it would be best for you to check with a doctor, before trying to prevent it.

How To Stop Hair Fall?

There are several products and treatment available in the markets today, which claim to prevent hair loss in men and women. However, these options are usually quite expensive and may not always yield the desired results. Moreover, some of the products contain harsh chemicals, which may cause further damage to your hair and scalp. Therefore, many men and women are now using natural and home remedies to prevent hair fall problems.

There is no evidence to show that home remedies are more effective in controlling hair fall. However, several people claim that they have seen an improvement in their hair fall problem after using home remedies, such as:

  • Coconut Milk or Oil: The properties present in coconut milk and oil strengthen your hair follicle and thereby keep your hair from falling out. Apply some coconut milk on to your scalp every day or mix some coconut oil with freshly squeezed lime juice and use the solution for your hair. Leave the milk or the coconut oil-lime juice mixture on for over 30 minutes and wash your hair with some mild shampoo.
  • Raw Eggs: Several commercial shampoos contain eggs, because they are excellent for the hair and can also prevent hair fall. Take three egg yolks and mix them with 3 tablespoons of almond oil. You could also add a dash of lemon to this mixture. Dip your fingers into a bowl of beaten egg yolks and massage your scalp gently. Leave the egg on to your hair for about an hour, before washing it off.
  • Spinach Juice: Very often, hair fall occurs because of the lack of nutrients in the body. Drink one glass of spinach juice, or a mixture of spinach and cabbage juice to prevent severe hair fall problems.
  • Rosemary: Several hair experts recommend rosemary essential oil for revitalizing hair and regulating the secretion of sebum, which in turn could reduce hair fall. You could also boil a few leaves of rosemary for about 10 minutes and preserve the liquid. Rinse your hair with this liquid, preferably every day, after a bath
  • Massage Therapy: Not only does massage therapy stimulate hair growth, but is also reduces stress, one of the major contributors in hair fall. Massage your scalp with warm oil (almond, coconut, or olive) for at least 15 to 20 minutes each day. Allow the oil to stay on your scalp for half an hour or so, before washing it off.

Hair hygiene is also an important factor in preventing hair fall. Make sure that you wash your hair at least twice a week and condition it if required. While applying shampoo, focus more on the roots of your hair, but apply the conditioner only on the tips. Avoid tight hairstyles like buns, braids or ponytails as the increase hair breakage and fall. Twisting or rubbing your hair excessively could also worsen the problem.

These home remedies to prevent hair fall are quite safe if used correctly, but it is best to check with a doctor before trying any of them.

References

  1. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/alopecia-000004.htm
  2. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/DS00278/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies