We all want hair that's long, lustrous and beautiful.
And if you're someone suffering from hair fall, looking at those models and actresses with beautiful tresses certainly doesn't help.
But hair loss isn't something rare. According to the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research for Doctors, the prevalence of hair fall among men in India was around 60%.
And almost 50% of women will experience some form of hair loss during their life.
Hair growth phases
The hair grows from the follicles. On their scalp, the average person has roughly 100,000 strands, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). All the follicles you will ever have are present when you're born.
In the follicle, each hair has a root at its beginning. The root then produces new cells from being nourished by blood from your scalp. It expands until it penetrates an oil gland and protrudes through your skin.
The following are the three stages of hair growth:
Anagen phase
This is the growing stage, which might extend for many years.
Catagen phase
The follicle decreases in size during this phase of transition. Less than 10% of the hairs on the head are impacted at a time by this.
Telogen phase
It affects 5 to 10% of your hair at a time and is known as the resting phase.
Intricate bodily mechanisms that regulate these phases are not completely understood.
Causes of Hair fall
1. Stress
High levels of stress cause three different forms of hair loss:
Telogen Effluvium
Significant stress causes a substantial number of hair follicles to enter the resting phase in Telogen Effluvium. Affected hairs may appear abruptly after a few months of simple brushing or washing.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is the compulsive urge to pluck hair from your scalp, brows or other body parts. Hair pulling can be a coping mechanism for unpleasant or negative emotions, including stress, anxiety, loneliness, boredom or irritation.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata has several reasons, including perhaps extreme stress. The body's immune system destroys the hair follicles in Alopecia areata, leading to hair loss.
But hair loss and stress don't have to be irreversible. And if you manage your stress, your hair may start to grow again.
2. Autoimmune reactions
You might already associate Alopecia areata with hair loss, but lupus and celiac disease can also cause your strands to thin or fall. Some illnesses can also result in bald spots.
3. Dietary or vitamin deficiencies
A lack of the necessary vitamins or nutrients may result in hair breaking, thinning, or shedding.
4. Loss of weight of more than 10 kgs
Acute Telogen Effluvium disorder is connected to restrictive diets and unexpected weight loss.
5. Surgery with anaesthesia
A surgical procedure may cause Telogen Effluvium after, as it's a stressful event.
6. COVID-19
Following infection with COVID-19, Telogen Effluvium can develop.
7. Fungal infections
Bald patches can result from a scalp ringworm infection.
8. Family history (heredity)
This inherited condition that develops with ageing is the most typical cause of hair loss.
Androgenic Alopecia, male-pattern baldness, and female-pattern baldness have genetic causes. The specific symptoms are receding hairline and bald patches and women experiencing thinning hair at the top of the head.
9. Excessive hair treatments and styles
Excessive styling and tight-pulling hairstyles like pigtails and cornrows can result in traction alopecia, a form of hair loss.
Extreme hot oil treatments and permanent hair colouring can leave hair fragile and prone to falling. And scarring might cause hair loss to become permanent.
10. Hormonal imbalances or changes
Menopause, birth, pregnancy and birth control medications can cause hair fall.
11. Thyroid disorders
Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause hair thinning or loss.
Hair growth tips
Hair is made up of dead skin cells and keratin.
You can do things to keep your hair healthy and long even though there isn't a simple solution to make it grow more quickly overnight.
Here are a few tips and tricks to improve your hair and enhance growth.
1. Manage stress
Hair loss brought on by stress is probably not permanent. Depending on the stage of where your hair starts falling, there may be a recovery period:
The telogen, or shedding phase, lasts around three months, whereas the anagen phase, also known as the growth phase, can last 2 to 5 years. You'll need to get through the shedding phase before you start seeing hair growth.
What can you then do?
You can maintain a balanced diet and experiment with topical hair growth therapies, but managing your stress will be necessary to address the underlying causes of hair loss.
Speak with a therapist if you think you're struggling to control your stress.
2. Eat a balanced diet
Weight loss and hair loss may be connected. According to research by PubMed Central, low-calorie consumption or vitamin and mineral deficiency can result in structural, pigmentary changes to the hair. It may also result in hair loss and hair fall.
If you're presently on a calorie restriction or are just unclear if your body is getting all the nutrients it needs for healthy hair, try incorporating the following nutrients your hair needs:
- Iron- Red meat, organ meat, spinach and seafood are all excellent sources of iron.
- Vitamin C - Try broccoli, strawberries and citrus for vitamin C.
- B Vitamins - To increase your B vitamins intake, choose dark leafy greens, beans, almonds, meat, eggs and milk.
- Omega-3 fatty acids - Omega- 3 fatty acids are more abundant in cod oil, salmon, flaxseeds, walnuts, spinach and chia seeds.
- Vitamin E - Olive oil, broccoli, spinach, shrimp and sunflower seeds are good sources of vitamin E.
- Zinc - Zinc is found in cashews, red meat, seafood, chickpeas etc.
- Vitamin D - In addition to the sun, foods high in vitamin D include egg yolks, mushrooms, cheese, yoghurt, milk and orange juice.
3. Don't use hot water
Keeping the hair and scalp clean is essential to promoting healthy hair growth.
However, only use warm water since hot water might damage your hair and scalp.
To promote healthy hair growth, select a shampoo depending on your scalp and hair type requirements.
Pro tip: After conditioning, give your hair a quick blast of cold water to help seal the cuticles on each strand and make it as lustrous as possible.
4. Try hair products with caffeine
Caffeine is well known for improving energy, and studies have shown that it can promote hair growth when applied topically.
According to Karger's research, caffeine in topical products like shampoos and conditioners can stop hair loss and medications. By accelerating cell development and metabolism, caffeine may help in hair growth.
5. Get a better pillowcase
For decades, women have been wearing scarves made of silk for a reason: the slick surface prevents frizz and breakage.
Swapping your friction-causing cotton pillowcase for a satin one could help if flyaways and breaking are your primary complaints.
6. Use a coconut oil mask once a week
Coconut oil has some wonderful properties. It contains several antioxidants that are good for hair, enhances scalp health with its antifungal and antibacterial characteristics. It gives the hair shaft a healthy dosage of protein to prevent protein loss.
- Take virgin coconut oil and warm it between your palms before rubbing it into your hair until it resembles wet hair.
- Put on a shower cap and unwind for 20 to 30 minutes before washing.
- Repeat this at least once a week for three months
Additionally, you may use it as a detangler or conditioner.
7. Brush gently
Only 10% to 15% of the hairs on your head are in the growth phase, so if you brush too vigorously, you can unintentionally pull out some of those vital growth-phase hairs. Tread lightly.
When brushing your hair, always begin at the ends and work your way up to the roots.
Applying a mask to your hair once or twice a week can ensure that it's well-conditioned and doesn't get tangled.
8. Try some essential oils
There is some evidence that these elixirs can aid in promoting hair growth, even though essential oils are not a cure for all conditions.
Peppermint oil's anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal qualities help promote scalp health.
And in research conducted by PubMed Central on mice, peppermint oil outperformed jojoba oil, saline and Minoxidil in terms of encouraging hair growth (a popular ingredient in hair loss treatments like Rogaine).
But additional research on humans is required.
In addition to peppermint oil, research by PubMed Central found that taking pumpkin seed oil in capsule form helped a group of men grow their hair by 40% over 24 weeks.
Another study by PubMed Central found that after 3 to 6 months, rosemary oil may be just as beneficial as Minoxidil. Additional study is needed to support the use of essential oils and other complementary treatments for hair growth.
9. Include B vitamins
Biotin supplements for hair, skin and nails are popular. This is because biotin, or vitamin B7, is necessary to grow new hair. Even though it's uncommon, not getting enough biotin can lead to rashes and hair loss.
A biotin deficiency may be inherited or brought on by using antibiotics, anti-epileptic drugs, and consuming excessive raw egg whites.
Taking 3 to 5 milligrams of biotin daily may benefit your skin, hair and nails.
10. Get regular haircuts
Regular haircuts may seem counterproductive if you're attempting to grow your hair out, but a micro trim in which the hairdresser only removes split ends will encourage strong, healthy hair growth.
The strand can divide straight up the shaft once broken ends take hold. You could require more than a few centimetres cut off at your next session if you don't take care of split ends and let them worsen.
11. Reduce processing and styling
There is no doubt that common chemicals in hair products, heat, bleach etc., can cause hair breakage and shedding.
For instance, Traction Alopecia (TA), a hair loss brought on by excessive tugging, is brought on by tight braids, buns and ponytails.
It was also discovered that hot iron use, blow-drying, straightening and perming were linked to microscopic alterations in the hair causing hair loss.
12. Protect your hair while sleeping
Try the following to encourage healthy hair while you're sleeping:
- You should sleep for about 7 to 9 hours every night. When you don't get enough sleep, your body produces less melatonin, a hormone that controls hair growth.
- If you have long hair, use a silk or satin pillowcase to lessen the friction, pulling and tangling that can lead to hair damage.
- Avoid sleeping with wet hair. Laying on damp hair can make your strands brittle, which increases the risk of breakage or matting.
Dermatological hair growth treatments
Other more effective prescriptions are over-the-counter, at-home and clinic therapies for hair loss. You could have success with one of the following strategies, depending on the underlying reason for your condition (hormonal, genetic, etc.)
1. Minoxidil (aka- Rogaine)
Although it will make hair grow longer and thicker wherever you have active hair follicles, it works best for hair thinning at the top of the head. It's recommended for people experiencing hair loss.
However, pregnant women and feeding mothers should not use it. Just make sure to consult with a doctor before you start using Minoxidil.
2. Spironolactone
An anti-androgenic drug that combats the male hormones (androgens) that cause female pattern baldness. For this one, you will require a doctor's prescription.
3. Corticosteroids
Topical steroids may lessen Alopecia areata inflammation and prevent the immune system from attacking the hair follicles. For a patient who has Alopecia areata, their doctor may inject steroids into their scalp.
4. Topical tretinoin
A tried-and-true method for boosting Minoxidil's benefits. It could free up hair follicles so that Minoxidil can enter. According to recent research, within just 5 days, 43% of persons who had trouble using Minoxidil found success when taking it in combination with topical tretinoin.
5. Platelet-rich plasma therapy
Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) involves injecting your scalp with plasma that has been extracted from your blood. The good news is that it can significantly enhance your hair density and count.
The bad news is that it’s rather expensive, insurance does not cover it, and there is insufficient information on how long it lasts.
6. Hair transplant
The American Academy of Dermatology states that to be considered for a transplant, you must meet two requirements:
- You must have enough healthy hair on your scalp that may be transplanted
- You must be able to grow hair in the thinning region.
Results are visible after six to twelve months.
7. Propecia (finasteride)
Women may occasionally be given this medication to prevent hair loss.
8. Microneedling
Though additional research is required, this more recent therapy has had promising results. Tiny needles are used in this therapy to promote wound healing.
When should you see a doctor?
You should consult a dermatologist as soon as you notice any issues. Please don't wait until it's too late.
A dermatologist can help you determine the type of hair loss you're experiencing and can recommend treatments (and even prescription medication) that will work for your particular case.
If your hair loss is very abrupt, don't be reluctant to speak with primary care or internal medicine doctor. A drug you're taking may affect your hair health, or an underlying medical issue may cause your hair loss.
Conclusion
Hair loss can be caused by several things, including UV ray damage, certain hairstyles, medications and genetics. Therefore, it's crucial to include vitamins and minerals in your diet to boost hair growth.
Ask your dermatologist about several in-clinic procedures that may improve hair volume and growth.
However, even if your attempts to grow your hair are unsuccessful due to heredity or health problems, be confident and live a happy life.
FAQ's
How can I grow my hair faster naturally?
1. Get trims often
2. Eat a healthy diet
3. Include a vitamin for healthy hair in your morning routine
4. Hydrate more
5. Shampoo less
6. Don't overheat or over-style your hair
Which food is good for hair?
Is onion oil good for hair?
Is milk good for hair growth?
Which fruit's best for hair?
Is lemon good for hair?
Vitamin C and folic acid are both found in abundance in lemon juice. Additionally, it may make your hair lengths lustrous and silky and prevent oiliness.
