Hair are growing everywhere on the skin, many hair are so fine and they’re virtually invisible. Hair is made up of a protein which is known as keratin that is produced in hair follicles in the outer layer of skin. Healthy hair is the beauty of everyone. Hair fall is the most sensitive problem faced by everyone and it is a huge subject and it is going to take many pages to discuss everything in detail. The purpose of this content is to give you background information regarding your hair growth and to provide you some beneficial tips to prevent hair loss and make your hair smooth and strong.
Overview
Hair fall or hair loss is also termed as Alopecia. Almost every person suffers from hair fall in their life. It can be a source of enormous psychological distress and emotional sturdiness. Loss of hair is due to the thinning of hair on the scalp. Alopecia might be temporary or permanent and it occurs gradually with age in both (men and women). You lose approx 100 hair from your scalp every day and it is normal. In most people these hair grow back. You may also lose your hair due to the diseases, intake of medicines, stress, poor diet, and family history. Treatment of alopecia depends on its cause.
What is the life cycle of hair growth?
About 90% of the hair on a person’s scalp are growing. Each follicle has its own life cycle that can be regulated by age, disease, and a wide variety of other factors. This life cycle is divided into three stages. These stages are:
1. Anagen phase
The Anagen phase is the period of hair growth. The cells in the hair bulb divide or multiply swiftly and fabricate new hair growth. Usually hair grows from the roots for an average of 2-7 years before hair follicles become inactive. The time period of this phase is dependent on your hair length, which can vary in people due to genetics, age, health, and many more factors. The anagen phase is the active hair growth phase that generally lasts between two to eight years
2. Catagen phase
The catagen phase is the second phase of your hair growth cycle. This period is short-lasting. In this transformation phase, hair stops growing and separates itself from the blood supply and is named a club hair. This phase is known as transitional hair growth that lasts for 2-3 weeks.
3. Telogen phase
Hair enters its third and final stage known as the telogen phase. This phase starts with a resting period, where club hair rest in the root while new hair begin to grow underneath it, then resting club hair will fall out to allow the new hair to come through the hair follicle. Each follicle is self-sufficient and goes through the growth cycle at different periods of time. Even though, 80-90% of your hair will be in the anagen phase, growing long-lasting and strong. This phase lasts about 2-3 months and at the end of this phase the hair is shed and replaced by new hair and this life cycle starts again.
What are the types of Alopecia?
There are numerous types of hair loss which are also called alopecia. These types are:
1. Involutional alopecia
Involutional alopecia is usually the normal condition of thinning and loss of hair due to age factor. A lot of hair follicles move in the resting phase while the remaining hair become shorter.
2. Androgenic alopecia
Androgenic alopecia is also known as hereditary hair loss and it is the most common type of alopecia. An individual born with this genetic condition inherits the hair follicles which are sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DTH) that causes decrease in hair follicles and produces thinner hair. It is distinguished by the falloff and disappearance of hair from the scalp. If women have this type of hair loss they are called female pattern baldness and it might appear over the age of 40’s or later.
3. Alopecia areata
This type of hair loss is due to an autoimmune condition, the immune system incorrectly attacks hair follicles, that cause the loss of hair on your scalp, face, and other parts of your body. Genetics also play their role in alopecia areata and it occurs in both male or female, while it appears in childhood. Alopecia areata begins suddenly and cause hair loss in child or teens and this can be further categorized into four types:
i. Alopecia areata: Alopecia areata is also known as patchy hair loss, which may result in one or more than one rounded patch of hair loss.
ii. Alopecia Universalis: This is an advanced condition of alopecia areata that may result in total or complete loss of hair on your scalp and this also causes all body hair fall such as (eye-lashes, eye-brows, and pubic hair).
iii. Alopecia totalis: This is also characterized as a complete loss of hair.
iv. Ophiasis: This type of alopecia happens in a wavy pattern around your scalp, and mostly at the back of your head.
4. Traction Alopecia
This may occur due to damage of hair follicles because of any stress, or due to tight hairstyles (such as buns, braids, ponytails) and it may happen near the hairline.
5. Telogen effluvium
Telogen effluvium is the temporary thinning of hair over the scalp because of changes in the growth cycle of your hair. Large numbers of hair enter the resting phase simultaneously, and cause hair shedding.
6. Scarring alopecias
Scarring alopecia is the permanent loss of hair due to inflammatory skin conditions (cellulitis, acne), and other skin disorders (such as some forms of lupus and lichen planus), result in scars that loss the ability of the hair to regenerate again.
Causes of hair fall
Due to various types of hair fall, it is somehow difficult to find the cause of hair fall and mostly it can be challenging. Often hair fall is not correlated with systemic or any internal diseases. You may notice physiologic thinning of your hair starting at the age of 30 and 40, and you might have heard that men mostly lose their hair as compared to females, but hair falling affects both sexes. There is not one cause or reason behind loss of hair and it might range from simple to complex. The most common causes of hair loss are:
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a common cause of hair fall due to physical stress. Hair fall is seen more commonly after the birth of babies, rather than also during pregnancy. If a woman experiences hair fall due to pregnancy, so no worries, these hair come back after a couple of months.
Hormonal changes
Changing hormones is also the main cause of alopecia. Just as pregnancy hormone varies and can cause hair loss, while age of puberty also imbalances the hormones that can lead to hair fall. Changes in hormones due to menstruation, or menopause, also give the same result, the androgen (male hormone) also causes hair fall.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a small gland in your neck that impacts your body and it produces thyroid hormone (TH) that is responsible for keeping your metabolism balanced, maintaining heartbeat, temperature, and mood also leads to alopecia.
Undergoing chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is just like a nuclear bomb that destroys the cancer cells more rapidly but unfortunately it has some side effects in which hair fall is one of the major causes. Once the chemotherapy is stopped, there are chances that hair will grow back.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is another imbalance of hormones in males and females. An excess amount of androgens lead to ovarian cysts, gaining weight, diabetes, changes in the menstrual cycle, and as well as hair thinning or hair fall.
Not eating enough protein
If you are not eating enough protein it may also lead to hair fall. To get balanced with your protein intake you should eat meat and eggs and also meat-free food which contains protein.
Male and female pattern baldness
Male and female pattern baldness also cause hair fall. Male pattern baldness is the type of hair loss that is caused by the combo of genes and imbalance of male sex hormones, while the female pattern baldness also occurs due to hormonal imbalance and appears with symptoms of widening of the central part.
If your mother suffers from hair loss
If you are born in a family where women have problems with hair loss after a certain age, then you should have to face this hair loss problem and you may inherit this hair fall character.
Deficiency of vitamin B
Vitamin B12 helps the body to produce DNA and red blood cells (RBCs), and also supports your immune system to encourage health and function properly. The deficiency of vitamin B12 leads to hair fall.
Loss of body weight
Sudden loss of weight loss is a form of physical trauma that can result in thinning of hair. This would happen, if the weight loss is ultimately good for you but it’s possible that the weight loss itself puts unnecessary and unwanted stress on your body, and due to not eating less or unhealthy you can suffer from vitamin or mineral deficiencies which may cause hair fall.
Intake of too much vitamin A
According to previous studies, the daily requirement of vitamin A is 5,000 International Units (IU) per day for adults, and children over the age of 4th. Vitamin A supplement contain 2,500-10,000 IU. If the intake of vitamin A supplement medication is more than that of its normal range, you could be at risk of hair fall. But this is reversible because of hair fall, once the excess amount of vitamin A comes back to its normal range, hair should start growing normally.
Styling your hair little too much
Vigorous, forcible styling and hair treatments can cause your hair to fall out. Extreme styling includes tight braids, ponytails, hair weaves, or corn rows as well as chemical relaxers to straighten your hair, hot-oil treatments or any kind of harsh chemical or high heat treatment that affects your hair root and might make your hair not grow back. Because these practices can actually affect the hair root, your hair might not grow back.
Intake of anabolic steroids
Anabolic steroids are the type abuse used by some athletes to bulk up muscle and you may lose your hair because anabolic steroids can have the same impact on your body as polycystic ovary disease (PCOS), as its mechanism is the same. Hair loss should improve after going off the drug.
Other general causes of hair fall includes stress, emotions, anemic, lupus, older age, and any medication that might be harmful to you.
How to stop your hair loss?
There are few ways to stop your hair fall. These may include:
- You may regularly wash your hair with a mild shampoo and conditioner. Regular hair wash prevents hair fall and cleans your scalp.
- Intake of vitamin is not only good for your health but also for healthy hair. Vitamin-A helps for the production of sebum in the scalp, and vitamin-E is good for blood circulation in the scalp to produce more hair follicles.
- Intake of enriched diet protein such as meat, fish, etc to promote hair health.
- Those who experience hair loss should massage the scalp with essential oil because it helps your hair follicle to remain active.
- Avoid brushing in wet hair. When your hair is wet it is in a weak state and there is a chance of increased hair loss.
- You may use garlic juice, onion juice or ginger juice, as per your convenience, and rub it on your scalp. Leave it overnight and wash it in the morning to prevent hair loss.
- You should keep yourself hydrated because drinking plenty of water is good for your hair.
- You should avoid rubbing your hair dry with a towel to keep your hair healthy.
- Intake of alcoholic beverages reduces your hair growth, you should avoid drinking alcohol.
- Cigarettes reduce the amount of your blood that flows on your scalp, avoid smoking to keep your hair healthy.
- Doing a physical activity for 30 minutes a day (such as swimming, walking, running) helps to regulate your hormones and keep your stress away beside also reduce hair fall and stress
- Constantly heating, drying, and the use of colors on your hair weaken your hair that causes hair fall. You should avoid constant heating and drying.
- You may often experience dandruff during the summer season that causes hair to fall. Keep your head sweat free and also use the shampoo that contains aloe vera, and neem that gives a cooling effect to your head and prevent your hair from dandruff.
- Avoid the hairstyles that pull or tug your hair follicles.
- Health problems often become the reason for hair loss. You should take care of your health.
- Hair colors and harsh chemicals damage your hair. Keep away from chemicals and not to color your hair to avoid hair fall.
Natural home remedies for hair growth and hair fall
To get rid of expensive hair products for hair growth and to control hair fall you should say Hi to natural remedies. As you know hair is made up of protein which is known as keratin that is responsible to produce hair follicles and produce new hair cells, for producing these hair follicles in a natural way you may use natural remedies that can not harm your hair. Going natural is the best solution for your hair growth and hair fall problems. You can try out the following remedies:
Onion Juice
This remedy is considered as one of the most effective and the oldest one for hair growth because it contains sulphur that boosts the collagen production in the tissues and helps to regrow your hair.
- You may cut a slice of onion and squeeze out its juice.
- Then apply it on your scalp and leave it for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with a mild shampoo.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Use of apple cider vinegar gently cleanses your scalp and also maintains the pH of your hair and thereby speeds up your hair growth.
- Make a diluted solution, mix 75ml of vinegar with one liter of warm filtered water.
- After washing your head with your mild shampoo, apply this solution.
This solution also provides a shine and also boosts your hair growth.
Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and helps to boost your hair growth. Green tea also prevents hair fall.
- Apply warm green tea (you may use green tea bags) over your scalp and leave it for 30-40 minutes.
- Wash your hair with water.
This is the perfect solution for your hair growth.
Coconut Milk
The use of coconut milk is a natural and effective remedy for natural hair growth. It is rich in potassium, iron, and essential types of fats.
- You may take fresh coconut milk from coconut to get better results instead of purchasing coconut milk to get better results.
- In coconut milk add a few drops of lemon and 3-4 drops of lavender oil then mix it well.
- Apply this mixture on your scalp and leave it for at least 3-4 hours then rinse it with water.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is the herb and this is an age-old remedy for your hair growth problems.
Fenugreek contains proteins and nicotinic acid that encourage stimulation of your hair growth. Add one tablespoon of fenugreek herb in the water and grind it well to make a smooth paste.
- You may also add coconut oil or coconut milk to it and apply it on your hair and scalp for half an hour.
- Wash it off with a mild shampoo.
It is surely one of the best hair growth tips. Not only will this remedy help you with hair growth but will also protect the natural color of your hair.
Amla hair pack
As we all know, amla is rich in Vitamin-C and it also strengthens your hair follicles.
- Mix the amla powder and lime juice well and apply this mixture on your scalp.
- Wash it before it dries.
This one of the best hair fall treatments.
Aloe Vera hair mask
Aloe vera is an effective home remedy for your hair fall problem.
- Take a pulp of the aloe vera plant and directly apply it on your scalp and also on the length of your hair.
- Keep it on your head for 40-45 minutes then wash it with cold water.
Aloe vera comes to the rescue every time and it also boosts your hair growth.
Egg hair mask
Mask of the egg is a beneficial remedy for hair fall. As we all know it is tough to bear its smell but this mask works efficiently and also helps to smooth your hair.
- Take one egg white and add one tablespoon of olive oil and honey and mix it well.
- Apply the paste from your root tips and hairline then live it for 20 minutes.
- Rinse it with a mild shampoo and wash with water.
The egg is rich in sulphur, phosphorus, and protein. It prevents you from hair loss and also provides strength to your hair.
Before you leave!
As mentioned earlier, hair fall is generally the end of your hair cycle and it is a natural process but falling of hair is replaced by a hair growth cycle normally. If it’s not replaced, you should consult a doctor to find out the actual cause of your hair loss. You may also use natural home remedies to treat your hair. By avoiding the use of alcohol, smoking, combing wet hair, and chemical products you can prevent hair loss.