How to prevent and cure hair loss – a complete guide
Loss of hair is a common problem in both men and women for centuries. In men it is more common than women mostly due to the higher levels of testosterone. Several medicines are available on market, and Propecia is one of the most effective drugs to cure pattern baldness in men.
Several other factors are involved that has increased hair loss in both men and women:
Causes of Hair Loss:
Genetic causes:
Some genes are a cause of hair loss and ultimately cause baldness in both genders. Androgenic alopecia is a genetic condition that leads to baldness. However early care can prevent complete baldness.
Lack of minerals:
Lack of some minerals like iron also leads to hair loss. This happens mostly in women who go through heavy blood loss during menstrual periods.
Proteins and Vitamins are also important for well hair nourishment, thus maintaining a balanced diet is necessary for healthy hair.
Too much Hair-Do:
Excessive use of heat, dyes, hair chemicals, hair treatments weakens the hair thus impaired growth. Such things should be done once in a while to avoid any damage.
Stress:
Stress negatively affects the immune system which causes dandruff and thinning of hair. Proper hair care and avoiding stress can help in regrowth.
Pregnancy:
Most of the women experience small hair loss during pregnancy and a large hair loss after pregnancy, but don’t worry it is temporary and recovers with time.
Hormonal imbalance:
Some medicines can disturb hormones which can lead to hair loss for example medicines used to cure infertility mostly disturbs hormones. Changing or quitting medicine can restore hair loss.
Sudden weight loss:
Sudden weight loss can result in heavy hair fall as the body does not accept sudden changes thus proper balanced food and time will resolve the issue. For healthy weight loss, you should consult a nutritionist to design a diet plan that fulfills the nutrition requirement of your body.
Essential foods for hair loss:
Protein:
Hair is made of protein thus deficiency of protein causes thin hair and hair loss. Taking protein-rich foods improves hair growth. Some foods are chicken, eggs, yogurt, beans, lentils, etc.
Iron:
For healthy hair, good blood circulation is important, for good blood circulation blood should have enough iron in it. Iron helps proper blood circulation and provides oxygen to the scalp and various body parts. Iron-rich foods improve hair growth. Dark leafy vegetables, beans, whole grains, red meat, and egg yolks are iron-rich foods.
Selenium:
Selenium boosts immunity, metabolism, and hair growth by stimulating new hair follicles. Some selenium-rich foods are shrimp, some fishes and Brazil nuts.
Zinc:
Zinc helps in the growth and repair of tissues, it also helps in maintaining hair growth by regulating the production of oil-secreting glands in the scalp. Some zinc-rich foods are, wheat germ, chickpeas, and beef, etc.
Omega 3 fatty acids:
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for good skin and healthy hair. They reduce hair breakage by increasing the elasticity of hair. It is not naturally produced by the body so is taken from outside. Some natural sources of omega 3 fatty acids are walnuts, flaxseeds, salmon, tuna, and Brussel sprouts.
Vitamins:
Vitamin A and C play an important role in hair growth by producing sebum in hair follicles. Spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin are good sources of Vitamin A and C.
Magnesium:
Magnesium is an important nutrient required for many functions in our body including the growth of hairs. So maintaining magnesium levels in the body is very important. Plenty of magnesium-rich foods are present like cashew nuts, almonds, brown rice, and lentils, etc.
Biotin:
Biotin is very helpful in improving hair health. The deficiency of biotin makes hair and nails brittle. Natural sources are spinach, sweet potatoes, and eggs.
Folic acid:
Folic acid thickens the hair, improves softness and strength, and thickness. Natural sources of folic acid are beans, pasta, and rice.
Hair transplant:
Hair transplant is a common procedure to treat pattern baldness. There are two techniques commonly used in hair transplants.
1- Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)
2- Follicular unit extraction (FUE)
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT):
In FUT surgeon cuts a strip of scalp skin from the lower part of the head, using a scalpel. The cut is usually several inches long. The cut is then closed with stitches. The removed scalp is then separated into pieces and implanted. It will help in achieving natural-looking hair.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE):
In FUE hair follicles from the lower head are directly cut out through thousands of tiny punch incisions. Then tiny holes are made in the bald area and hairs are gently placed. During a single session, hundreds or thousands of hairs are transplanted.
Recovery in both types will take a lot of care and some time. It also shows some side effects. So natural treatments and some medicines like Propecia is recommended to use first.
Haircare as a part of self-care routine:
Avoiding chemicals and switching to natural products as much as you can do wonders for your hair. All the expensive products in the market and chemical treatments in salon have just temporary results and they all effects hair badly. Avoid using extreme heat, and hair dyes too often. Avoid washing hair with shampoo every day, twice, or thrice a week is enough normally. Avoid using hot water to wash hairs, do not comb wet hairs as they are delicate. Choose a sulfate-free shampoo as sulfate removes natural oil and makes hair dry and frizzy. Use natural conditioners like aloe Vera gel, Coconut oil, Shea butter.
Happy Reading!
