How to Prevent Hair Loss
What is hair loss?
Alopecia Areata, commonly referred to as hair loss, is a disease that targets your hair follicles (a part of the skin that produces hair).
Often, people worry about losing hair, and they correlate it with hair loss. However, there is a clear distinction between hair loss and hair shedding. It is normal to shed around 50-100 strands of hair a day.
You may be wondering, "What is the difference between hair loss and hair shedding?" Hair loss occurs when your hair thins on the scalp, and new hair does not replace the thinning. Hair shedding is when you lose strands of hair and are replaced by new strands of hair later on.
Excessive hair shedding, scientifically known as telogen effluvium, is where you temporarily lose a lot of hair due to a stressful event.
How do I know I am suffering from hair loss?
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms below, then you may be suffering from alopecia areata.
1. Gradual thinning on top of the head
This is the most common type of hair loss. For men, the hair recedes at the hairline (forehead). For women, you experience broadening down the middle of the scalp.
2. Circular or patchy bald spots
You lose parts of your hair and occur in the scalp or facial hair.
3. Sudden loosening of hair
Handfuls of hair may come out as you brush your hair or shower. These symptoms are similar to telogen effluvium, where is usually temporary loss of hair.
4. Full-body hair loss
Losing hair all over the body due to stress or other medical conditions. Again, similar to telogen effluvium in the sense that it is usually temporary.
*It is advised you visit a dermatologist to diagnose you properly.
Common Types of Hair Loss
Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) vs. Female Pattern Baldness (FPB)
Androgenic alopecia is a common type of hair loss that occurs in both men and women. Research shows that it can be hereditary for both genders.
Male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) happens when males start to experience a shift in their hormones, which affects the sex hormones called Androgens (regulates hair growth). Typically, the symptoms for MPB are when the hairline recedes backward and forms an "M" shape across the forehead.
Female pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) has the same process of the shift in hormones. However, women experience broadening down the middle of the scalp.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that occurs when large numbers of follicles on the scalp enter telogen, thus causing a stunt in hair growth. Telogen is a resting period, which can last up to 3 months, where the strands remain in their follicles and are not growing. Coupled with the stunt in growth, the hair in your scalp will fall out and will not be replaced.
Causes that may result in Telogen Effluvium
Stressful Events: divorce, death of loved ones, losing a job, etc.
Usage of certain medications such as isotretinoin and warfarin
Losing a rapid amount of weight in a short period of time
Starting or stopping oral contraceptives
Vitamin or mineral deficiency
Pregnancy
Surgery
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata, a unique case of hair loss as your immune system works against you.
Your body's immune system attacks your tissues, including the hair follicles (a part of the skin that produces hair). Due to this attack on the immune system, new hair is prevented from growing. Thus, causing hair from the scalp to start falling out in small patches; however, the hair loss can spread to the rest of your body. Overtime, Alopecia areata can lead to complete hair loss.
Researchers aren't aware of the exact cause of Alopecia Areata, but we know that your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles, thinking it is a harmful substance.
Home Remedies
After reading all that, you must feel worried, scared, or even vulnerable because you don't know where to go from this. Don't worry; there are solutions to alleviate your conditions.
Onion Juice
Although it has an unpleasant smell, it has been shown to successfully treat patches caused by alopecia areata and its ability to promote hair growth.
Application:
Blend a few onions to get the juice.
Apply the juice to your scalp and hair. Leave it in for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, shampoo and rinse everything out.
Coconut Oil
It contains fatty acids that infiltrate the insides of your hair shaft and reduce protein loss.
Application:
If you have oily hair or dry hair, you can leave-in treatment overnight or for a few hours before washing it out.
You can massage coconut oil in your scalp and the rest of the hair on your body. It has been shown to display numerous benefits.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary is a popular essential oil due to the benefits of promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss. Since the oil stimulates new hair growth, it can be used to treat androgenetic alopecia.
Application:
Mix a few drops of it into a carrier oil. You can even add a few drops of rosemary oil into your shampoo and conditioner daily to utilize its benefits.
Message it into your hair before rinsing.
Note:
Since rosemary oil is very concentrated, you should only use a few drops at a time.
It's advised that you do not use essential oils directly on the skin. Instead, use it with a carrier oil or shampoo to help avoid potential skin irritation and premature oil evaporation.
Hair Loss Prevention/Solution Products
Although these methods are all-natural, research is still needed to understand their effects on our bodies entirely. Home remedies can be unconventional, especially if you are under a time constraint or not in the mood to experiment with your hair. This is why we have trusted products to cater to your needs.
PURA D'OR Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo
With this product, you can say goodbye to your thinning hair and dry scalp.
PURA D'OR's anti-hair thinning shampoo with biotin and proprietary herbal DHT blend is your passage to thick, healthy hair.
PURA's anti-thinning shampoo stands out from other products on the market due to its gentle ingredients. Key ingredients include Biotin and DHT Herbal Blend; they protect your hair from factors leading to hair thinning and strengthen the hair shaft, and cleansing the scalp. Other ingredients include a blend of Nettle Extract, Pumpkin Seed, and Black Cumin Seed Oil.
Composed of essential vitamins, this formula helps hydrate the scalp reducing dryness, brittle strands, and overall healthy hair.
Being manufactured in an environmentally friendly approach, it is vegan and cruelty-free.
Application:
Wet your hair.
Massage thoroughly.
Leave for 2 minutes.
Rinse.
Repeat daily for optimal results
Men's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam
Packing with 5% Minoxidil, this is a fact working hair regrowth treatment. It stimulates hair follicles to be more active and produce more hair protein. On top of that, it is clinically proven to regrow hair due to it containing the botanical extract. Also, it moisturizes the hair to maintain a healthy, conditioned scalp.
It contains an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), which promotes natural skin exfoliation, keeping hair follicles exposed and taking in the acid's nutrients.
Application:
Dry your hair.
Apply the product.
Massage it into your hair.
Use the product twice a day, every day, for maximum benefits. Although this product so works well, we advise you not to apply it to non-alopecic areas (like the face) to avoid unwanted hair.
Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam
Similar to "Men's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam," it effectively combats hair thinning. However, do not be discouraged if you notice some initial shedding because it is normal.
Unlike the male counterpart to this product, you want to use this product once a day.
Use it every day and expect to see results in as little as three months.
Shedavi Vitamin Supplements
Shedavi is an all-natural herbal plant-based vitamin-packed with nutrients needed to promote hair growth and thickness. Shedavi does work wonders on your hair, such as hair growth on the edges of your head.
It contains B vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and protein building nutrients. Together they will make your hair healthier than ever. It can promote longer and stronger hair.
Each capsule tastes excellent, so if you are a picky eater, this is the best bang for your buck. Most importantly, it reduces hair shedding. It can be a hassle to consume all of the necessary nutrients we need for our body's health, but thanks to Shedavi, their supplement provides all the nutrients in a pill for healthy hair growth and volume.
Use one capsule twice daily with water.
Everyone's body is different, and results can vary—experiment with what works best for you. However, we recommend consulting a dermatologist if the issue still concerns you because an underlying health condition may cause your hair loss.