Hair loss is increasing, and while it may not have direct physical effects on a person’s health, the emotional toll they undergo is evident.
There are numerous reasons for hair loss. Some common reasons are genetics, hormonal imbalances, fungal infection on the scalp, stress, nutritional deficiencies and autoimmune diseases. There are some ways a person can regrow their hair naturally without shelling out a lot of money on medical procedures.
Hair loss or alopecia can affect the scalp. In severe cases, it can affect the hair follicles on the entire body. Depending on the severity of the condition, it can be temporary or permanent. It is often heredity. Hormonal changes, medical conditions or ageing can also cause hair loss. Even though anyone can lose hair on their head, it is more common among men.
Baldness refers to excessive hair loss from the scalp. Hair loss during ageing is one of the common causes of baldness.
Some people let their hair loss go untreated. Others use various methods to cover it up with makeup, hats or scarves. However, others choose various treatments to prevent hair loss and restore growth.
Before seeking hair loss treatment, it is better to consult a doctor. They can identify the cause of hair loss and recommend treatment options.
What is hair loss?
Several symptoms often categorise hair loss. Male or female baldness, called androgenic alopecia, is most typical among men over 50 and women post-menopause.
What are the symptoms of hair loss?
In men, hair will recede from the forehead. Women tend to lose hair along their partition.
Female-pattern baldness or patch hair loss (alopecia areata) is usually preceded by an itchy or painful scalp.
Repeated stress on the hair can cause a kind of hair loss called traction alopecia.
Frontal fibrosing
Hair loss can appear in various ways, depending on the cause. It can appear suddenly or gradually, affecting the scalp or the entire body.
Some of the signs and symptoms of hair loss may include:
- Gradual thinning on top of the head. This is often the most common hair loss, affecting people as they age. In men, hair usually begins to recede on their foreheads.
- Women have a partition in their hair. A common hair loss pattern in older women is a visibly receding hairline.
- Circular bald spots. Some people, especially men, lose hair in a circular or patchy pattern on their scalp. The skin can become itchy before the hair fall.
Sudden hair loss.
A shock, physical or emotional, can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss causes hair thinning which is temporary.
Full-body hair loss.
Some health conditions or medical treatments, like chemotherapy for cancer, may result in losing hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back.
Patches of scaling that cover the scalp. This is often a sign of ringworm. It will accompany broken hair, redness, swelling and, sometimes, oozing.
Male pattern baldness
The causes of male pattern baldness include:
- Genes
- Cancer
- Thyroid conditions
- Certain medications
- Nutritional deficiencies or disorders
- High levels of androgens.
Female pattern baldness
It’s less likely for women to go bald, but hair thinning is a common occurrence. Doctors divide female pattern baldness into three types.
- Type I - This is when a small amount of thinning begins.
- Type II - Type II involves widening the partition and increasing thinning around it.
- Type III - This is often thinning throughout, with a see-through at the top of the scalp.
Female pattern baldness is often naturally occurring. Genetics, medications and hormone changes during pregnancy or menopause can also cause baldness. Usually, the symptoms set in a woman during their 40s and later.
How to diagnose hair loss?
During the diagnosis, a doctor will likely conduct a physical examination to know about the diet, hair care routine and medical history. They can also have tests like:
- Blood test.
A blood test can help diagnose medical conditions which will lead to hair thinning or hair loss.
- Pull test.
A doctor gently pulls several hair strands to determine how many strands of hair come out so that it helps the doctor determine the severity of the shedding.
- Scalp biopsy.
A doctor scrapes samples from the scalp to examine the roots to determine if an infection is causing hair loss.
- Light microscopy.
Microscopy helps uncover any disorder present in the hair shaft.
Natural hair regrowth treatment options
Treating hair loss or hair thinning is often challenging, and not all treatments may go for you. If you’re experiencing specific baldness or a health condition that causes hair loss, it is difficult to regrow hair naturally. However, there are some natural treatments that prove to be effective while regrowing hair.
Here’s our list of 10 of the simplest natural hair regrowth treatments.
1. Massage
Massaging the scalp, individuals use hair oils and masks to stimulate the scalp and increase hair density.
It’s believed that stretching during the massage improves hair growth and thickness within the dermal papilla cells located at the bottom of the hair follicle. These cells play a vital role in forming hair, and the shedding and regrowth cycle.
Massage the scalp with the fingertips. Move across the scalp in a small circular pattern, applying light to medium pressure. While there’s no set amount of your time to do a scalp massage, it is better not to overdo it.
2. Burn plant
Aloe vera has long been used for hair loss. It can also help soothe the scalp and condition the hair. It is also believed to reduce dandruff and unblock hair follicles which will be blocked when there is excess oil production.
Applying pure aloe vera gel to the scalp and hair a few times per week, paired with shampoo and conditioner that contain aloe vera, is known to boost results.
3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains fatty acids called dodecanoic acid that have properties that penetrate inside the hair shaft to reduce protein loss, preventing hair loss.
Coconut oil is also an effective ingredient to include before or after you wash your hair, depending on your hair type. If your hair tends to be oily, you need to do an overnight treatment before washing it.
Massage coconut oil into your scalp and all of your hair. If your hair is dry, you can also use it as a leave-in treatment. However, there more research is required on how coconut oil supports hair growth.
4. Fish oil
Consuming omega fatty acids in fish oil can help us improve our hair from within as they’re filled with nutrients and proteins. Taking an omega supplement packed with antioxidants is beneficial for hair density. It can also reduce hair loss.
Omega fatty acids assist the cells to function properly and may boost immunity, resulting in improving overall health.
5. Ginseng
Consuming ginseng supplements can promote hair growth as they can stimulate hair follicles. Ginsenosides are the components of ginseng that are responsible for the positive effect of ginseng on hair.
Research on how ginseng can encourage hair growth is limited and has shown some promising results. Always take supplements as directed, and check for any possible side effects.
6. Onion juice
If you handle the smell of onion juice, you’ll find that the benefits are worth it. Onion juice has been shown to improve hair growth. It can also treat patchy alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune health condition where the body attacks the hair follicles that causes hair loss.
Onion juice is additionally thought to improve blood circulation, as it contains keratinocyte protein, a crucial mediator of hair follicle development and growth.
To consume onion juice:
1. Blend some onions and squeeze out the juice.
2. Apply it to the scalp and hair, and leave it for at least 15 minutes.
3. Follow up with shampoo.
7. Rosemary oil
Rosemary may be an everyday essential oil that promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss. Rosemary oil can stimulate hair growth and may even be used to treat androgenetic alopecia.
Mix some rosemary oil into a carrier oil and massage it into your scalp before rinsing. We can also add rosemary oil daily to your shampoo and conditioner. It is better not to use essential oils directly on the skin. It is best to mix them with carrier oil or shampoo.
8. Geranium oil
Geranium, or rose geranium, is a fragrant plant native to South Africa. Geranium oil is a concentrated essential oil that’s extracted from the leaves of the plant. One can use this oil to stimulate hair growth and increase blood circulation.
Mix some drops of volatile geranium oil with some drops of carrier oil, and apply it to your hair. You can also add the oil to the shampoo.
Geranium oil can replace a conditioner as it can strengthen, restore and hydrate the hair.
9. Lemon
Lemons boast impressive health benefits. Squeezing some fresh lemon juice can reinforce hair quality and growth. Lemons helps us maintain a healthy scalp and encourage hair growth.
When to visit a doctor?
See your doctor if you’re troubled by persistent hair loss and want to pursue treatment. It is better to talk with a doctor about early treatment to avoid permanent hair loss.
Also, sudden hair loss can signal an underlying medical condition that needs treatment and medical assistance.
Most people lose about 60 to 100 strands of hair per day. This might seem like a lot, but it’s insignificant compared to the 100,000 hair follicles you’ve on your head.
Suppose you’re noticing that you’re losing more hair than average. In that case, a doctor’s assistance is required.
To sum up
If you want to improve your hair,
- Identify the cause, take treatment and stay consistent.
- Remember that the treatments may take some months to yield noticeable results.
- Be creative with the remedies and blend them as much as you like.
You must take time regularly to focus on nourishing your hair. Taking this step and practising self-care is beneficial if your hair loss is linked to emotional or stress-related issues. Do your best to take care of a healthy lifestyle that complements your hair treatment plan.
Talk with your doctor about medications or procedures if these natural methods don’t work.
FAQs
How to grow hair faster naturally at home remedies?
2. Using aloe vera.
3. Applying coconut oil.
4. Fish oil.
5. Ginseng.
6. Onion juice.
7. Rosemary oil.
8. Geranium oil and
9. Lemon can boost hair growth.
What household items help hair growth?
1. Aloe vera
2. Coconut oil
3. Fish oil
4. Onion juice and
5. Lemon can help with hair growth.
