Combating hair loss
HAIR loss is often associated with stress and anxiety and is also the result of failing to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The popular notion is that if you eat more greens and nutritious food, your hair is less likely to fall off.
These assumptions are partially true, as natural remedies can go far in gracing you with stronger, thicker hair.
However, hair loss is ultimately determined by predisposed genetic factors and the overall ageing process of an individual.
Illnesses, emotional trauma, health conditions, protein deprivation and hormonal changes may cause reversible hair loss, but they are not determining factors in what makes your hair fall out.
In other words, bald spots and hair loss are inherited and, therefore, cannot be entirely prevented.
Still, it is possible to maintain thicker, shinier hair for a longer period of time through the use of the right products and a healthy diet that nourishes your hair.
Here are four steps you can take to reduce hair loss and maintain strong, healthy strands.
Keep a nutritious diet
Though this will not guarantee a full head of hair, it will strengthen your strands and make them less prone to breakage.
Hair is primarily made of protein, so protein- rich foods are needed for healthy hair growth.
Leaner proteins such as fish, chicken, soy products and eggs should be consumed instead of “meatier” meals such as steaks; high- fat diets result in increased testosterone levels, which have been linked to hair loss.
Increasing your vitamin intake will surely benefit your hair over the years as well. Vitamins A, B and C have their respective merits.
Vitamin A promotes the growth of cells and tissues in every part of your scalp while vitamin B is essential in the transfusion of oxygen through your body. Vitamin C helps to hold the tissues in your hair together, strengthening your strands.
Regular consumption of foods rich in these vitamins will ensure that your hair remains healthy.
Invest in quality hair products
Keeping your hair and scalp clean is necessary in preventing hair loss. However, most shampoos contain chemicals that may be damaging to your hair.
Look for mild shampoos or ones specifically formulated to fight thinning hair. There are even hair care products dedicated to treating hair loss,
Products with natural herbs such as rosemary and mint help boost circulation in the scalp and nourish hair follicles.
This can go far in improving the look of your hair as well as keeping your scalp clean and healthy.
Know what to avoid
Like the rest of your body, your hair is affected by unhealthy substances. Tobacco, for example, contributes to the reduction of blood circulation in the scalp, leaving hair more prone to breakage.
Smoking can also accelerate baldness, especially if it is genetic.
You should limit your alcohol intake as well; constant consumption can induce a lower level of vitamins B and C within your body, stripping hair of the nutrients it needs.
Folic acid levels can also fall, leaving hair weak and vulnerable to thinning.
Avoid getting sweat on the head
Sweat is composed of lactic acid, which can cause shrinkage of hair follicles and the degeneration of outer layers of hair.
Men with oily scalps tend to face problems with dandruff, leading to oily, unhealthy hair.
This is especially apparent in those living in a tropical country such as Malaysia, as they are more vulnerable to the heat and sweat more easily.
Shampoos with aloe vera or neem can help with ridding your scalp of dandruff and keeping it cleansed.
Early detection is key to delaying hair loss. If these natural methods do not show desired results, try consulting a dermatologist or doctor for advice on overcoming the problem of hair loss.