Normal Hair Loss- nothing to worry about!
We all lose some hair strands each day. So, it’s normal
to see some hair coming off your scalp when you brush your hair daily. Normally
we lose about 80-100 strands daily due to the end of life cycle of a hair
strand. If that’s the matter, you don’t have to worry a lot. Just continue to
have a stress-less healthy lifestyle including balanced diet. It’s when you see
an abnormal loss of hair that you should start taking measures to stop this.
There are many causes of hair loss. You may lose hair due to some hormonal
changes, unhealthy lifestyle, junk food devoid of nutritional value, stress,
some medication, vitamins deficiency, thyroid problems, menopause etc. Whatever
the causes, you should try to eliminate them first and then resort to these
home remedies for hair loss.
Actual Hair
Loss- Get, Set, Go….
Massage,
massage and massage…
More and more people are adopting regular head massage to
cure as well as prevent hair loss. Why is massaging your scalp so important? It
increases blood flow to your scalp! When blood flow to the hair follicles
increases, it conditions the scalp, and strengthens the hair roots. The warmed
up skin during massage opens up the blood vessels that help in greater nutrient
intake. Don’t forget that hair is one of the important part of your body that
also needs sufficient nutrients to grow and remain strong. Proper conditioning
through oil massage also prevent dandruff which is yet another cause of hair
loss. Not only this, massaging is relaxing and it relieves you off stress,
another cause of hair-loss. When hair massage is so beneficial, why not make it
a regular habit of massaging hair twice or thrice a week? It will definitely
prevent hair loss and make them healthy and shiny. But what oils to use for
head massage? I’ll tell you.
Best oils to
prevent hair loss
These can be categorized into two, in fact, three groups-
Herbal Oils, Essential Oils and Carrier Oils (also called base oils). Carrier
oils are used to dilute essential oils before they can be applied to the skin
for massage. That way, while you need to use carrier oils with essential oils,
you can use natural herbal oils directly on your scalp for massage. Here’s the
list of herbal oils that you can use for head massage in order to prevent hair
loss.
#1 Coconut Oil
Massage
Coconut Oil is perhaps the best oil for preventing hair
loss. This oil is used extensively in India and no one can doubt the quality of
hair that Indian women possess. Coconut oil acts as sealant by preventing hair
from losing its moisture. Apart from the fine nutrition that it provides to
your hair, the lauric acid in coconut oil has antibacterial properties that
keep away your scalp from infections.
#2 Olive Oil
Massage
Olive Oil is rich in antioxidants and thus provide great
nourishment to your hair. It also penetrates hair shafts better and prevent
them from narrowing down by controlling the hormone called DTH. The extra
virgin olive oil is best one when it comes to hair loss as it is rich in
vitamin E and mono unsaturated fatty acids that not only prevents hair loss but
also promotes hair growth.
#3 Almond Oil
Massage
Almond Oil is perhaps the most nutritious oil with its
rich contents that include Vitamins E, D, iron, magnesium, calcium, and fats.
In fact, almond oil can also be used carrier oil when applying essential oils
to the scalp. It gets absorbed slowly and deeply into the hair which makes it a
perfect base for essential oils. This way you can get benefits of both- herbal
as well as essential oil!
Now, it’s the turn to know the essential oils that are
best for preventing hair loss.
lavender, cedarwood, thyme and rosemary
lavender, cedarwood, thyme and rosemary
#4 Lavender Oil
Massage
Lavender Oil with its wonderful fragrance is beneficial
for preventing hair loss due to its antioxidant nutrients as well as antifungul
and antiseptic properties. This oil derived from lavender flowers treats
dandruff as well as itching, controls hair breakage all to prevent hair loss.
It deeply conditions the hair and also controls dandruff. Lavender oil is
widely used to treat alopecia areata too. Alopecia areata is a condition when
excessive hair is lost and that too in patches. In such extreme cases daily
massage with lavender oil is required. Jojoba and grapeseed oils can be used as
base or carrier oil for any essential oil including lavender.
#5 Rosemary Oil Massage
Rosemary Oil, obtained from rosemary leaves, is yet
another essential oil used to prevent hair loss even for acute alopecia areta
condition. This oil stimulates the hair roots and increases blood circulation
in the scalp leading to hair growth too. Jojoba oil, grapeseed oil as well
almond oil prove to be great carrier oils for rosemary oil. So mix it with one
of any carrier oils and massage your scalp daily or weekly as per your hair
loss status!
#6 Geranium Oil
Massage
Geranium Oil, extracted from plant’s leaves and stalks is
good for both dry and oily hair. It basically works on the sebaceous glands on
your scalp and helps in regulating the secretion of sebum. This in turn
strengthens hair while making them smooth and silky. Carrier oils are same as
for other essential oils- jojoba, grapeseed, almond or coconut oil.
#7 Super-Tip
for Hair Loss…
This is something you’ll love to massage your hair with.
This is a lotion prepared with a variety of essential oils. First, I’ll tell
you how to make this lotion for hair loss prevention and then how to use it.
You’ll need the following ingredients in the exact measure as written below:
·
Rosewater-
50 ml
·
Distilled
water- 50 ml
·
Apple
cider vinegar- 15 ml
·
Rosemary
Oil- 5 drops
·
Jojoba
Oil- 6 drops
·
Carrot
Oil- 3 drops
·
Geranium
Oil- 3 drops
Now how to use
this lotion to massage your hair to reduce hair fall!
·
Mix
all the above oils and water and give a good shake.
·
After
washing hair, dry your hair partially.
·
Now
take some lotion, about 2 teaspoons, that you have prepared after mixing all
the above oils and rose plus distilled water.
·
Rub
this lotion gently on your scalp.
·
Store
the rest of the lotion in refrigerator.
·
When
you take out the lotion again next day, you will see the ingredients in it
separated.
·
Shake
the bottle again.
·
Now
apply as you did the previous day.
· Massage
your scalp daily with this lotion and see how you prevent your hair loss in
only few days.
Eat Right to
Prevent Hair Loss
Without strong foundation any building can fall. Same is
true with hair. If you don’t provide right nutrition to your hair, they’ll
eventually fall. So, start eating and rightly so for your hair too. Haere’s
what all you should include in your diet to prevent hair loss.
#8 Omega- 3 Fatty Acids
Why have Omega
3 fatty acids?
They can easily reach your hair scalp and cell membranes
deep into your scalp. This provides nourishment to follicles which not only
prevent hair loss but promote its growth. Secondly, they also make your hair
more elastic so that they do not break easily. They also cure dry itchy skin,
thus preventing dandruff.
What to have?
·
Flaxseeds
·
Walnuts
·
Salmon
·
Sardines
·
Soybeans
#9 Zinc Rich
Foods
Why have foods
rich in zinc?
Deficiency of zinc is one of the major causes of hair
loss. Zinc builds proteins (so essential for hair growth), creates DNA and
boosts tissue growth and repair. It also regulates hormones which includes
testosterone, high levels of which can lead to hair loss.
What to have?
·
Seafoods
like oysters and crabs
·
Lean
Beef
·
Wheat
Germ
·
Spinach
·
Pumpkin,
squash and sunflower seeds
·
Nuts
·
Pork
and chicken
#10 Protein
Rich Foods
Why have
protein?
Because our hair is primarily made up of protein. So, if
you don’t eat protein rich food, you don’t have hair. Protein deficiency can
also lead to graying of hair.
What to have?
·
Milk,
cheese, yogurt
·
Lentils
·
Seafood
such as salmon
·
White
meat- poultry
·
Eggs
·
Beans
·
Soy
·
Lean
Beef
#11 Iron Rich
Foods
Why have iron
rich foods?
Iron is the carrier of oxygen within your body. It’s
deficiency can mean less oxygen reaching your head and less oxygen means poor
blood circulation which in turn will definitely lead to hair problems including
hair loss.
What to have?
·
Egg
yolks
·
Red
meat
·
Dark
leafy green vegetables
·
Dry
fruits like prunes and raisins
·
Mollusks
such as oysters, clams, scallops
·
Turkey
·
Beans,
lentils, soybeans, chickpeas
·
Liver
#12 Vitamins A
and C
Why have
vitamins?
These vitamins help in producing sebum, the oily
substance that is secreted by our hair follicles to prevent hair from breaking
off. Vitamin C also improves iron absorption. However, don’t go overboard.
Excess vitamin A can even lead to hair loss. So have this vitamin in
moderation.
What to eat for
vitamin A?
·
Sweet
potatoes
·
Carrots
·
Spinach
and Collard greens
·
Swiss
chard
·
Winter
squash
·
Mustard
greens
·
lettuce
What to eat for
vitamin C?
·
Papaya
·
Bell
peppers
·
Strawberries
·
Pineapples
·
Brussel
sprouts
·
Oranges
and Kiwi fruits
·
Broccoli
·
Kale
Use Herbs to
Prevent hair Loss
If your hair loss is acute and you think you take perfect
diet then also are unable to prevent hair loss, some herbs may help you to
overcome your problem. Some Indian as well as Native American herbs can prove
to be good remedies for hair loss.
#13 Bhringaraj
(Eclipta Alba)
This herb, Bhringaraj, is one of the main components of
ancient Ayurvedic hair oils and hair tonics meant for preventing hair loss. It
is the established Ayurvedic medicine to cure baldness and premature graying of
hair too.
How to use
Bhringaraj to prevent hair fall?
Get some Bhringaraj leaves and prepare a special hair oil
through the below mentioned method.
You’ll need:
·
Bhringaraj
plant/ leaves- 50gm
·
Coconut
oil – 200 ml (you can also use sesame oil or any other oil as a base oil, but
coconut poil is best for the purpose)
·
Fenugreek
seeds – 2 teaspoons
Follow the below steps to make
bhringaraj oil at home
·
Crush
the leaves of Bhringaraj plant or grind it. Howver, do ot make it a paste. They
should be partially grounded.
·
Boil
coconut oil in a pan.
·
Add
the crushed Bhringaraj leaves and fenugreek seeds to the boiling coconut oil.
·
Let
the mixture boil for about 10 minutes until when you see big bubbles formed in
the oil.
·
Put
off the flame and let the oil stand overnight in the covered pan.
·
In the
morning, strain the oil into a glass jar or bottle.
·
Use
the oil for massaging your head scalp- daily.
If you can’t find Bhringaraj plants,you may even buy
readymade bhringaraj oil sold in the market and even available online these
days.
#14 Indian
Gooseberry or Amla (Phyllanthus Emblica)
Amla, yet again an Indian herb is a rich source of
vitamin C and iron. This herb is used since ancient times to prevent hair loss.
You can also take advantage of this readily available herb.
How to use Amla
reduce hair fall?
You’ll need:
·
Amla
pieces
·
Coconut
oil
If your amla pieces are dried,
you can use them directly otherwise dry them up in shade.
·
Boil
Coconut oil
·
Add
the dried amla pieces and let it boil for the time until it gets dark in colour
·
Put
off the flame and let the oil get cool.
·
Take
out the pieces of amla and use the oil for massaging your hair scalp.
Another way of using this herb is to soak the amla pieces
in water overnight. It’s better if you soak it in an iron vessel. Next day when
you shampoo after oil massage, use this water to rinse your hair.
#15 Ghritkumari
(Aloe Vera)
Not only Ayurveda but even the ancient Egyptian medicine
used aloe vera to prevent hair loss. Aloevera contains enzymes that can
eradicate dead cells on our scalp so that they do not clog the hair follicles.
Clogging of hair follicles prevent nutrients from entering the hair roots. Aloe
vera’s alkalizing properties also help in maintaining hair’s pH level at
optimum level promoting hair growth.
How to use aloe
vera to prevent hair loss?
Prepare an aloe vera hair mask.
You’ll need:
·
Aloe
vera gel extracted from aloe vera plant – Half cup
·
Castor
oil- 2 tsp
·
Fenugreek
powder- 2 tsp
·
Basil
powder- 2 tsp
Mix all the above ingredients
to get a thick mask.
·
Apply
this gel mask to your scalp.
·
Cover
yopur hair too with this mask.
·
Leave
the mask on hair for about eight hours. If you can do it at night, its better.
Just wear a shower cap before going to bed.
·
Wash
off this mask using a mild shampoo
·
Do
this once a week for a few months to get a good volume of hair.
#16 Yucca Plant
and Yucca Root Powder
Native American tribes use Yucca plant root for
preventing hair loss. Yucca root and even yucca root powder can be obtained
from grocery stores. You can make yucca root shampoo at home.
You’ll need:
You’ll need:
·
Yucca
root powder- 1 tablespoons
·
Water-
2 cups
Mix yucca root powder with water and blend it, if
possible in a food processor. You will get a foamy smooth liquid through this
procedure which can be used to cleanse your hair.
You can use
yucca root in a different way too.
·
Take a
piece of yucca root.
·
Peel
off the outer brown layer of your yucca root. This will show up the fleshy
white inside of the root.
·
Now
using a hammer or some other tool like it, smash the root to get its pieces.
·
When
you run a piece of such yucca root under water, you’ll get a leathery bar soap
like thing with which you can shampoo your hair.
