Many people face the problem of hair loss at some stage of their lives, causing them discomfort and embarrassment. Causes may be related to inherited disorders related to ageing, or result from other factors such as hormonal imbalances, side effects from medications, stress and illness. Whilst there are some effective pharmaceuticals on the market to treat hair loss, many of their long-term effects are still unknown, causing more and more people to turn to natural therapies as a remedy for hair loss. Read on for more information regarding which natural hair loss treatment may suit you best.
Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle
According to hair specialists, a healthy head of hair loses about 50 to 100 strands of hair every day as the hair follicles create new ones. Our hair passes through the anagen, catagen and telogen phases. Once it stops growing in the telogen phase, the hair shaft sheds naturally. However, excessive hair loss may be the result of hormonal imbalances, iron deficiency, a medical condition, or a genetic predisposition to male or female pattern baldness.
Whatever the reason may be, gradual hair thinning is an indication of the termination of the anagen stage, which is the hair's growth phase, causing increased hair fall during the shedding phase. There are different types of hair loss, medically known as alopecia. Some of them are temporary, such as traction alopecia, while others, like androgenetic alopecia, lead to permanent hair loss.
Can Hair Loss be Prevented?
Nutritional deficiencies and frequent use of heat styling tools can reduce hair density, strip it of its natural oils and prematurely push onto the surface of the skin or scalp. Maintaining a diet that's rich in vitamins D and B-complex, as well as avoiding damaging hairstyles, are key to maintaining healthy hair. Your doctor may also prescribe some hair regrowth medicines to enhance your hair follicles. However, if you have androgenic alopecia, which causes permanent damage to the roots of the hair, topical treatments may help slow down the death of your hair follicles, or your doctor may suggest hair transplant surgery.
Beware of the prolonged use of hair loss medicines, though, as these may lead to numerous adverse effects such as scalp irritations, unwanted facial hair growth, headaches and weight gain, to name a few.
Types of Natural Hair Loss Treatments
To improve your scalp and achieve thicker hair without experiencing any unpleasant side effects, why not opt for a natural treatment option? Here below are 7 tried and tested natural hair loss treatments.
- Hair loss and aromatherapy: The essential oils used in aromatherapy are laden with nutrients that assist with hair loss by increasing overall immunity, alleviating stress levels and stimulating circulation to the scalp, to promote further hair growth. They may be used in a massage, applied topically, used as a hair treatment, inhaled, or simply added to your shampoo.
- Hair loss and nutrition: A nutritious diet provides the hair with vitamins, minerals and proteins that feed the hair, stimulating it to grow and giving it strength that ensures less hair breakages and fall out. Stick to a diet that is high in folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids as they are packed with essential nutrients that promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. Load up on green leafy vegetables, legumes, asparagus, seeds, salmon, mackerel and fish oil.
- Hair loss and herbal medicine: There are many herbs that assist with hair loss, each working in a different way to strengthen the hair follicles and promote hair growth. They are best taken in tincture form (liquid) or as a herbal infusion, such as with herbal teas.
- Hair loss and acupuncture: Through the use of needles on the skin, acupuncture promotes a free flow of life energy around the body, freeing it of any negative energy and reconciling any energy imbalances that may be affecting your hair health. To prevent hair loss and stimulate growth, acupuncturists will focus on stimulating the kidneys, adrenals and lungs, to encourage detoxification and good blood circulation for hair regrowth.
- Hair loss and hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy acts to put an individual into a sleep-like state, in which the person acts only on external suggestions. In this relaxed state, the individual is encouraged to visualize the desired state they would like their hair to be in, and to release any negative beliefs that they may be holding onto. It also works to relieve the symptoms of stress that may be the underlying cause of temporary hair loss.
- Hair loss and massage: Massage is the ideal way to increase feelings of wellbeing and optimum health. And a healthy body provides healthy, nourished hair whose strength resists breakages and fall out. Scalp massages in particular are beneficial in preventing hair loss. They stimulate blood circulation to the scalp, detoxify the scalp from dead skin and relieve any physical tension that may be preventing the hair from growing.
- Hair loss and reflexology: A reflexologist will work to prevent hair loss by stimulating certain acupressure points for hair growth. They soothe the scalp and reduce the physical effects of stress on the body that cause hair to temporarily fall out.
You can check the comprehensive listings of Australia's topnotch natural health professionals on the Natural Therapy Pages to find a qualified practitioner in your local area, who can help you address your issues with your crowning glory.
Originally published on Apr 29, 2010
