Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can be caused by various factors such as diet, mineral deficiency, medications, and too much stress. Hormonal imbalance and genetic factors can also lead to hair loss.
Medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease, and iron deficiency are associated with hair loss. A healthy scalp consists of about 100,000 strands of hair. It is normal to lose between 50 and 100 strands a day.
However, when an individual loses more than 100 strands in a single day, it is time to take some action to prevent the development of bald spots. There are plenty of natural ingredients that can be used to prevent hair loss.
According to studies, hair loss that is genetically programmed is hard to stop. Discussed below are remedies that can be used to prevent hair loss in both male and female.
Hair Loss Remedies
1. Onion Juice
According to experts, onion juice is one of the best home remedies for preventing hair loss. Onion juice contains sulfur. The sulfur found in onion juice enhances blood circulation to the hair follicles, helps in the regeneration of the follicles, and minimizes inflammatory responses.
The onion juice has antibacterial properties that get rid of the bacteria that may be found in the scalp. The antibacterial property helps to treat infections that may cause hair loss. According to a study that was published in the Journal of Dermatology in 2002, 74 percent of the participants who had applied onion juice to their scalps experienced hair regrowth.
The onion juice should be directly applied to the scalp and left to stay for 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes are over, the onion juice should be washed off and the hair shampooed.
2. Hair Oil Massage
Massaging the scalp with an appropriate hair oil has been shown to prevent hair loss. A proper hair and scalp massage improves blood circulation to the scalp and the follicles. Hair oil massage also strengthens the roots of the hair.
The process will also increase relaxation and reduce stress levels. The best oils that you can use to massage the hair and scalp include olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil, among others.
The oil should be massaged into the hair and scalp by applying light pressure using the fingertips. The hair oil massage should be performed at once a week for better results.
3. Limit the Use of Hair Dryers
A prolonged used of hair dryers can cause hair damage. The heat produced by the dryer tends to weaken the hair proteins. Regular heating and drying of the hair and scalp can lead to the fragility that may cause the hair to fall.
It is advisable to dry the hair naturally to avoid hair loss. Other devices that may cause hair loss through heating the proteins include hot curlers, hair straighteners, and hot brushes.
One should be careful when using heated tools because continuous heating of the scalp can permanently damage the hair follicles.
4. Avoid Perms
The process of chemical straightening or chemical curling is known as perming. Both chemical curling and straightening have been shown to cause hair damage.
The methods work by damaging the inner bonds of the hair and then reforming them in a different manner to curl or straighten the hair. The process weakens the hair, making it fragile. As time goes, one will experience hair loss.
5. Avoid Bleaching Agents
Bleaching chemicals penetrate the cuticles, and in the process, they get rid of the natural pigment. The removal of the natural pigment makes the hair vulnerable to damage due to the change in structure. The hair becomes weak and susceptible to falling out.
6. Avoid pulling your hair too tight
Hairstyles that require tight pulling of the hair on a daily basis can lead to hair damage. Winding your hair tightly into rollers can also lead to hair loss. Hair loss that results from hairstyles is medically known as traction alopecia. It is the most common cause of hair loss among women.
7. The Hair Should Be Washed With a Mild Shampoo
Regular washing of the hair and scalp helps prevent hair loss. The process keeps the scalp clean and prevents infections that may cause hair loss. Clean hair also gives an impression of more volume than dirty hair that tends to appear more parted than clean hair.
8. Eat a Healthy Balanced Diet
A well-balanced diet has been shown to keep the hair and scalp healthy. Experts suggest that a healthy body is likely to have healthy hair and scalp than an unhealthy body. A diet that is rich in vegetables and fruits can slow hair loss. Vitamins and minerals are also helpful in keeping the hair and scalp healthy and free from hair loss.
Diet Tips For Hair Growth
Provided below is a collection of the best diet tips that can be used to prevent hair loss and boost hair growth.
1. Consume Foods Rich in Vitamin a and Carotene
Dietary sources of vitamin A and carotene are helpful when it comes to the prevention of hair loss. Vitamin A plays a role in promoting healthy growth of the hair follicles and tissues. Hair loss and thinning are one of the indicators of vitamin A deficiency.
Beta-carotene is also important in promoting healthy hair growth. It has antioxidant properties that help in getting rid of harmful free radicals. Beta-carotene can be obtained from carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash, among others.
2. Increase Silica Intake
Silica plays various important roles in the body. It is a major component of hair. Sufficient consumption of silica prevents baldness and hair thinning. Silica is also known to stimulate a healthy hair growth. There is a broad range of foods that contain silica.
They include green and red peppers, wheat, millet, and barley, among others. Experts recommend the intake of unprocessed foods and organically grown foods to increase silica content in the body.
3. Ensure Sufficient Sulfur Intake
Sulfur plays a crucial role in ensuring a healthy hair growth. Sulfur has been shown to boost blood circulation in the scalp and hair follicles. It is also known to promote hair growth and reduces inflammation.
Sulfur plays a role in the metabolism of various vitamins in the body, including vitamins B1, B7, and B5. Deficiency in sulfur may also present with a dry scalp. Sulfur is naturally found in the body. However, it can also be found in foods such as meats, eggs, milk, and legumes.
4. Include Foods Rich in Iron in Your Diet
Iron plays a major role in carrying oxygen to all parts of the body. Low iron content in the body may cause the hair follicles to starve from oxygen. One of the most common causes of hair loss in pre-menopausal women is the lack of sufficient iron in the body.
Menstruating women and pregnant mothers have a high risk of getting an iron deficiency. Other populations that are at a great danger of being iron deficient include long distance runners and vegans. Iron-rich foods include egg yolks, lean red meats, poultry, oyster, and salmon.
5. Eat Foods Rich in Copper and Zinc
Proper functioning of the body requires an adequate supply of copper and zinc. Copper is also crucial for healthy hair growth. Studies have shown that adequate intake of copper prevents hair loss and it contributes to hair thickness.
The mineral also intensifies the natural hair color and prevents premature graying of hair. Zinc plays a significant role in ensuring proper growth of hair cells. The two minerals should be consumed together to provide a right balance between the two. Black sesame seeds are the best source of both copper and zinc.
6. Increase the Intake of Foods That Are Rich in Vitamin B Complex
The intake of foods rich in B-vitamins is associated with various health benefits such as healthy-looking hair and strong hair. The B complex vitamins work together and they co-exist in the same food sources.
According to various studies on hair growth, sufficient intake of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), B5 (pantothenic acid), B12 (riboflavin), and B9 (folate) is necessary for healthy hair growth. Pantothenic acid and biotin have been particularly shown to slow down the process of hair loss from the scalp. Vitamin B6 pyridoxine has been demonstrated to enhance the production of melanin, which provides hair with its color.
The vitamin also prevents hair loss and helps in the absorption of zinc. These vitamins also assist in the formation of hemoglobin which is required for carrying oxygen to the scalp and hair cells.
7. Ensure Sufficient Intake of Vitamin C
The addition of vitamin C-rich foods to your diet is one of the most important tips for preventing hair loss. Vitamin C plays a significant role in the synthesis of collagen which supports the hair follicles. Collagen also helps to keep the blood vessels found in the scalp healthy.
The vitamin is also known to facilitate the absorption of iron from foods. The beneficial effects of vitamin C are best seen when foods rich in the vitamin are combined with foods rich in vitamin E. Vitamin E helps reduce loss of hair by boosting blood flow to the scalp.
8. Consume Foods High in Proteins
Studies show that 90 percent of the hair is made of proteins. A diet that is low in protein may lead to hair loss and hair thinning. Proteins are abundant in foods of animal origin.
Specific Foods to Help Hair Growth
1. Spinach
Spinach is the best food to help in preventing hair loss due to a mineral deficiency. Spinach is rich in iron, and it also contains sebum that serves as a natural conditioner for hair. Spinach is also rich in other nutrients including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It also has omega-3 fatty acids that keep hair lustrous and out of the drain.
2. Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt is another superfood that will help in keeping your hair healthy and free from potential infections. It is rich in vitamin B5 that helps with blood circulation in the scalp.
3. Guava
Guava is rich in vitamin C which prevents hair from brittleness and breaking. A study that was published in the Journal of Clinical and Anesthetic Dermatology found out that women who were supplemented with vitamin C encountered a significant hair regrowth.
4. Eggs
Eggs are rich in a type of vitamin B complex that is known as biotin. The vitamin helps in ensuring proper hair growth as well as strengthening brittle hair and nails. Inadequate amounts of biotin in the body may result in hair loss due to fragility and hair thinning. Other food sources of biotin include almonds, salmon, and avocados.
5. Liver
Iron deficiency is one of the primary causes of hair loss. Hair loss due to iron deficiency is commonly seen in women. The liver is known as one of the best sources of iron. Other sources of iron include lentils and soybeans.
6. Lentils
Lentils are rich in many nutrients, including folic acid, biotin, zinc, and iron. Lentils are also known to provide the body with proteins. Folic acid is needed by the body to keep the red blood cells healthy. The red blood cells help to distribute blood to the skin and scalp, which is necessary for proper hair growth.
7. Oatmeal
Oats provide the body with various nutrients, including fiber, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and the poly-unsaturated fatty acids. The nutrients are necessary for stimulating healthy hair growth.
8. Salmon
Salmon is one of the best natural sources of omega-3s to the body. The omega-3s are known to prevent inflammation that may result in hair shading. The omega-3 fatty acids prevent the scalp from potential infections, and it keeps the hair shiny and thick. Experts suggest that both female hair loss and male pattern balding can result from insulin resistance. Salmon boosts the body's ability to process insulin correctly.
9. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has been shown to improve blood circulation in the scalp region. Increased blood flow brings oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles to facilitate healthy hair growth.
Natural Hair Growth Health Foods Conclusion
Hair loss can prove difficult to come to terms with. Hair loss may affect an individual’s self-esteem and sometimes cause depression. It is advisable to speak to a general practitioner when one finds it difficult to deal with the problem.
One may also benefit from talking to other people in the same situation through various avenues such as online forums. There are a lot of support groups and online forums that can help individuals experiencing hair loss.
