Hair loss
The problem of hair loss seems to be very common these days. Some of the most common causes of hair loss are stress, nutritional deficiencies, dandruff, excessive oiliness of the scalp, illness, thyroid imbalance, as well as hair damage caused by procedures like hair colouring/dyeing, bleaching, straightening, perming, etc.
Hormonal imbalances during menopause, or post pregnancy can also cause hair loss. In men, hair loss can be due to hormonal factors. It is called "male pattern baldness." Doctors believe that the male sex hormone, testosterone, is an important factor in male pattern baldness.
If you are facing hair loss, try to find out which causes apply to you. For instance, your age may be an important factor. Older women face the problem of thinning hair during the menopausal years. Men should find out if hair loss is hereditary in the family. Both men and women should also consider if they have had any illness recently, or if there is a problem of thyroid imbalance. Regular use of permanent dyes can also lead to hair loss.
Beautician Shahnaz Husain says, "I am often asked, how often the hair should be washed and if washing hair regularly can lead to hair loss. It is not washing of the hair, but the products one uses, that can have a detrimental effect. The hair should be washed according to hair type and season. In hot and humid weather, the hair should be washed more often, in order to remove sweat and oil deposits, along with dirt. If the hair is oily, it should be washed three or four times a week. For dry hair, wash twice a week. This is important in order to remove dirt and chemical air pollutants."
It is also important to choose the right products. Harsh hair products disturb the normal acid-alkaline balance and also stimulate the scalp further, leading to a build-up of dead cells on the scalp, aggravating problems like dandruff. If your work entails travelling long distances, hair should be washed frequently, using very little shampoo. If there is excessive oiliness, a hair rinse should also be used.
What are the products which help hair care?
First of all, one needs a shampoo or hair cleanser, along with conditioner or hair rinse. If the hair is oily, a hair rinse is better. For dry hair, a creamy conditioner may be used. Leave-on conditioners are also available. Apart from these, you would need hair oil, herbal hair tonic and hair pack. One should select products containing herbs like amla, reetha, brahmi, bhringaraj, arnica, trifala, hibiscus (gurhal or javakusuma), bael, neem, sandalwood, etc. Such ingredients not only have powerful healing properties, but offer an element of safety. Husain adds, "We have found that Shatone, a non-oily herbal hair tonic, containing Ayurvedic ingredients like trifala, amla, brahmi, etc, has helped in controlling hair loss. In fact, brahmi helps stress-related hair loss."
As nutritional deficiency is one of the most common causes of hair loss, the diet is very important. A nutritious diet helps healthy hair growth, since the hair is actually fed by the nutrients in the blood stream. You should include a small bowl of sprouts daily in your diet. Sprouts contain amino acids, which are very beneficial to the hair. Also include fresh fruits, raw salads, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and curd in the daily diet. If the scalp is oily, or if there is dandruff, drink plenty of water. Add the juice of a lemon to a glass of water and have it first thing in the morning. Ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.
Try to reduce stress. Learn yoga and practice it daily. Learn relaxation techniques. They help to reduce stress and thus control hair loss. TOI
