Feeling a little thin on top? These 10 natural ways to prevent hair loss may help!
By Jody McCutcheon
We are as attached to our head’s hair as it (initially) is to us. When we start losing it, we really start, uh, losing it–and we want it back. Our hair, that is. As far back as Ancient Egypt, people have sought ways to stem hair loss and stimulate hair growth. While the Egyptians employed a cocktail of iron oxide, red lead, onions, alabaster, animal fats and honey (and wore a lot of wigs when none of those worked), today we still use some of those remedies, in one form or another.
Men’s hair loss in particular has created a billion-dollar industry, with potential cures ranging from chemically laced topical treatments like Rogaine and drugs to hair transplants and–ugh–wigs. Yet hair-loss science is imperfect, uncertain and riddled with misinformation that allows companies to sell solutions that may or may not work.
Our heads have about 120,000-150,000 strands of hair, and it’s normal for both men and women to lose fifty to a hundred daily. Any more than that and eventually we start to feel the anxiety of impending baldness.
We lose hair for several reasons. Chiefly, aging weakens hair, makes it more brittle, and decreases hormone production and nutrient absorption, both of which slow hair growth. Other reasons for hair loss include nutritional deficiencies, genetics, pattern baldness, illness and autoimmune disorders, stress and trauma. Even air and water pollutants and sunlight’s phototoxic aging effects may facilitate alopecia. In women, pregnancy or menopause may lead to a notable loss of hair. In short, there are so many potential causes of hair loss, it’s vital to visit a specialist to know what’s behind your personal hair loss situation,
While there’s no way to completely stop natural hair loss due to ageing and genetic factors, we can certainly control how fast we lose it, and possibly reverse abnormal loss and stimulate growth, by taking certain steps such as those below.
10 Natural Ways to Prevent Hair Loss
1. Change Your Diet
Of all the natural ways to prevent hair loss, this may seem to be the most obvious, but what few people realise is that one consequence of the typical North American high-fat, high-protein, high-salt diet is an acidic environment in the body, which can lead to premature hair loss.
Iron-rich foods like lean red meats and dark green veggies contribute to ferritin levels sufficient to increase the hair’s growth cycle, meaning it will grow for a greater period of time. Iron also delivers oxygen to hair follicles, which further incites growth.
Since hair is made mostly of protein, and protein deficiency causes hair loss, it stands to reason that adding protein to your diet–plentiful in animal products and dairy–will stimulate growth. But paradoxically, too much protein may result in baldness. A Goldilocks situation seems to exist in terms of protein and hair growth.
Another food ingredient crucial to hair health is omega-3 fatty acids, which facilitate the production and action of hormones and oily lubricants that lead to healthy scalp and follicles and bouncy, shiny hair. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, shellfish, nuts and seeds and their oils.
Healthy hair also requires us to eat our vitamins. A and B-complex vitamins promote vibrant, shiny hair; B12 can neutralise premature hair loss; C and Zinc help strengthen hair, biotin helps avoid hair loss and premature greying; D facilitates healthy follicular growth; E helps maintain a healthy, moisturised scalp.
The bottom line? Eating whole foods such as organic eggs, lentils, spinach, red meat, pumpkin seeds and salmon is best, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, vitamins and minerals. Most vegetable skins are rich in silica, which contributes to hair strength.
2. Drink Certain Teas and Infusions
Green tea, saw palmetto and stinging nettle tea contain ingredients that inhibit the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a compound that’s linked to thinning hair and pattern baldness; an extract of the saw palmetto plant may have a similar effect on testosterone. These products are prime weapons in the battle against some forms of alopecia. Swapping coffee for green, nettle or saw palmetto tea may not give you a morning kick, but it could wake your hair follicles up! Can’t drink that much tea? You can actually buy the concentrated ingredients of these teas in pill form to help prevent hair loss.
3. Detox Now
Behavioural strategies can also mitigate hair loss, starting with the elimination of three common vices: alcohol, tobacco and coffee. Excess booze intake leads to hair loss through dehydration – which makes hair dry and brittle (one quarter of your hair strands is composed of water) – and also by dramatically depleting the body’s iron and zinc levels; caffeine in large amounts similarly affects the body. Cigarette smoke, meanwhile, contains toxins that accelerate hair loss as well as premature greying. What’s not known is whether these tobacco toxins directly affect the scalp or simply accelerate the ageing process; what is known is that quitting mitigates the problems.
4. Chill Out With A Massage
When we say some experience was so rough, we ‘lost hair’ over it, it could well be the case–stress is another factor in hair loss, specifically of a condition called telogen effluvium. Meditation and exercise are two ways to relieve stress and create a better hormonal balance, thereby helping to prevent alopecia. Massage also may be beneficial; both of the body, and of the scalp. For the latter, the addition of oils such as almond or coconut make the massage more pleasant, but also infuse the scalp with essential vitamins and minerals. You can get a massage from a professional, or simply massage your own scalp with either your fingertips or a stimulator like one of these devices.
5. Don’t Fake It
Finally, despite what fancy hairdressers may tell you, using extensions and weaves or wearing tight wigs or hairpieces daily may damage hair follicles by stressing their anchor to the scalp. Sure, they may provide some temporary volume, but constantly wearing hair pieces is another hair-loss accelerator. Believe me: I know girls who have tried all kinds of hair extensions, and inevitably they end up with loads of hair being pulled out when they’re applied and removed. Also be careful with hair straighteners, tight ponytails, blow dryers, harsh chemical hair dyes and heated rollers, all of which can further damage delicate hair and cause it to break off.
Check out some natural hair dyes here.
6. Herbs Can Help
While a proper diet rich in whole organic foods is the best conduit for nutrients to the body, if you find you just don’t have the time to plan such meals, then taking herbal supplements may help. Algae, kelp and saw palmetto based products are well known to work to help hair growth, but don’t forget that ferritin, zinc, iron, B vitamins and vitamin D are all essential for your body to make healthy hair. Sure, you will need to wait at least three months to see any results – but they sure won’t do any harm!.
7. Change Your ‘poo
Most commercial shampoos contain sodium laurel or sodium laureth sulphate (SLS). Both of these detergent chemicals are harsh on hair, and SLS also corrodes hair follicles and impairs their ability to grow hair. One study showed that if you use pure SLS on your scalp it will actually cause hair to fall out! Some trichologists (hair specialists) believe that increasing use of SLS and the salt that is added to it to make it foam is leading more women to lose their hair (or to have it thin out) than ever before.
Not to worry: Eluxe has recommended some fantastic, gentle shampoos with all natural ingredients, and some shampoos that contain certain ingredients, namely caffeine, rosemary oil, biotin, saw palmetto extract or peppermint oil, such as Pura D’Or can stimulate and nourish your scalp, encouraging hair growth.
8. Light Therapy
Red light therapy has been proven to stop hair from shedding and increase hair growth in some cases. While the ‘laser comb’ is perhaps the most popular device for those with hair loss, any LED red light instrument will do. These devices all use light wavelengths which, when applied directly to the scalp, can increase collagen and elastin production, stimulate hair growth, reduce the inflammation that may be causing hair to shed, and increase circulation to the scalp.
But that being said, holding an instrument up to your head for hours every week can be inconvenient, and even painful, which is why wearing a cap like the one made by Revian Red is much more practical.
Revian Red in particular uses the dual activating wavelengths of LED light as a new class of modulated light therapy (MLT) that is clinically proven to unlock the body’s natural ability to stimulate hair growth. To make a long scientific story short, the light releases nitric oxide in the body, which has numerous benefits for your hair, and targets all four pathogenic factors that are the cause of androgenic hair loss. It inhibits androgen synthesis and the activity of 5a-reductase to stop production of DHT, while reducing inflammatory signalling cascades and increasing blood flow to the hair follicles.
All of these factors combined result in not only stimulating new hair growth, but also keeping that hair on your head to prevent future hair loss. See more about how it works and clinical results here.
9. Try a Supplement
If topping up your vitamin intake isn’t enough, designated anti-hair loss supplements can help, especially if you’re losing hair due to a too much DHT (a male hormone that causes Androgenic Alopecia) or a lack of ferritin, protein, iron, biotin or other trace elements that are essential for healthy hair growth.
There are several on the market, such as Viviscal, which many celebs have endorsed, HairAnew, which always gets good reviews from users, NutraFol, which has special formulas for both men and women, Noukrin (which also claims to help skin and nails), and Florisene (rich in B12 and iron).
Most anti-hair loss/pro-hair growth supplements are likely to contain marine collagen of some kind, so aren’t too vegan friendly. But NutraFol has four patented clinically proven ingredients to combat the underlying causes of hair loss, thinning hair and declining hair health, and claims to contain bio-actives that will minimise hair shedding and hair loss due to stress and DHT. Even if you’re not losing too much hair, designated hair supplements like these have a rich content of A, C, D, and Zinc, as well as biotin, selenium and other anti-ageing herbs that can offset the damaging effects of stress, nutritional deficiencies, and act as a preventative part of your anti-aging strategy for your locks.
10. Try a Dermaroller
In case you’re not familiar with it, a dermaroller is a simple device that is used to make tiny pin pricks in the skin. The pricks penetrate into the dermal layer, just deep enough to stimulate new cell production and boost circulation, but without causing damage and without causing pain. The process is also known as ‘microneedling’. The dermaroller has been used as a beauty device for decades to renew the youthfulness of skin but stimulating collagen, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
In a similar way that the dermaroller is used to stimulate collagen production on the facial skin, it can also be used to increase cell production and increase blood circulation around the scalp, which in turn will help with new hair growth.
To learn how to use one of these devices, which you can buy to help your hair, just click here.
For Further Reading:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/natural-solutions-for-hair-loss.html
http://www.institutefornaturalhealing.com/2013/12/5-natural-ways-to-prevent-hair-loss/
http://www.naturalnews.com/028251_hair_loss_balding.html
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Do you believe that a vegetarian diet can make hair loss worse?
I think it depends on how careful you are with your diet….
The issues you’ve raised in this post are very real. Thanks for sharing.
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Hello there,
Thanks for your informative post. lost of things I gotta know from here.
You’re very welcome! Glad to hear the post was helpful! 🙂
Very good written article. It will be supportive to anyone who utilizes it, including me.
Keep doing what you are doing – can’t wait to read more posts. I am subscribing ..
I need to adopt all these tips for my life urgently! That’s why my hair has not been on my shoulders for years! I loved the tips and will certainly come back for more! Thank you!
Thanks,
For updating us and sharing a useful information with us .Here i am going to add more some tips in that regard .
Hair loss happens for many different reasons, and not all of them are related to aging. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways you can prevent excessive hair loss without resorting to expensive products and prescription
1
Use essential oils combined with a scalp massage. Massage promotes good circulation in the scalp and increases blood flow to your follicles. Gently massage your scalp daily by hand for a couple of minutes. To enhance the message, use a few drops of lavender, rosemary, thyme, peppermint, or cedarwood essential oil in an almond, coconut, jojoba, grapeseed, or sesame oil base on your scalp.[1]
While many claims to have success with this treatment, there currently is no clear scientific evidence of its effectiveness.
2
Use egg oil (eyova). While it isn’t scientifically proven to help, many think that egg oil can prevent hair loss. It may also be able to help stop graying, treat dandruff, and moisturize your hair. Massage egg oil into the scalp and leave on overnight.
Shampoo off in the morning with a sulfate-free shampoo that’s mild and gentle. Use shampoo only once as repetition removes the natural lipids of hair, making it dry and brittle.
People typically claim to see results when they use egg oil 2-3 times a week for at least 12 weeks. However, you may need to use it less frequently if you have protein-sensitive hair.
Egg oil (eyova) is a convenient alternative to egg yolk masks and does not smell like raw egg yolks. There is no risk of salmonella, which could give you an infection.
You can make egg oil at home, see How to Make Egg Oil at Home or buy it online.
If making your own egg oil, you are at risk for contamination of salmonella. Be sure to wash your hands and work space thoroughly.
3
Restore moisture through hot oil treatments. When applied to the hair, hot oil can moisturize and also stimulate growth. You can use any natural oil including safflower and canola or olive oil.
Heat the oil up so it is warm, but not too hot. The ideal temperature is not exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Then, massage the oil into your scalp.
Put on a shower cap for about 30 minutes. When the time is up, shampoo out the oil.
Mayonnaise may also work well as a conditioner. Slather your hair with a generous dollop, put on a shower cap for up to an hour, and then rinse it out.
4
Rub rangoli henna into your hair. While not scientifically proven to work, many use rangoli henna for health and hair strength.This is a green powder that seals the hair cuticle, which strengthens the hair shaft at the root.[5]
Henna is considered safe on the skin and hair for most people, but some have reactions to it. If you have a reaction, stop using it and consult your healthcare provider if necessary.
Don’t use darker colored hennas, as these are usually unnatural and contain a chemical called p-phenylenediamin
5
Rub green tea into your hair. Green tea hasn’t yet been scientifically proven to effectively treat hair loss, but some studies have been done and the results suggest that it may be a promising treatment option. Green tea contains antioxidants, which may prevent hair loss and also help hair growth.[6]
Brew 2 bags of green tea in 1 cup of water. Let the tea cool slightly, and then apply it to your hair.
Leave the tea on for 1 hour. Then, rinse your hair thoroughly.
descobri que ta perdendo o cabelo não e facio pra miguem sei o que e passa por isso.
All of your tips are fantastic. I have some issues with my hair right now and gladly that I found your article I hope this will help me. Thanks!
Nice and very informative, thank u
Very informative, helped a lot
I didn’t know about detox helps prevent hair loss. Thank you.
Hair care is very important to me, when my hair is beautiful, life gets better!
I need to adopt all these tips for my life urgently! That’s why my hair has not been on my shoulders for years! I loved the tips and will certainly come back for more! Thank you!
These tips are fantastic, I believe the natural ways to prevent hair loss are the best and that most work. Thanks for sharing.
Great tips! I like your post!
Pra mim o mais dificil e a alimentação. Sou pessima para comer legumes e verduras. Ótimas dicas!
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I loved the article and gotta put it into practice as soon as possible, lately I’m suffering a lot with hair loss, this post helped me a lot, I’m very grateful.
Hair care and a woman’s need and very important for self esteem
Excellent post
Everything you cited in this article is really true
The science of hair loss is totally imperfect, uncertain and very uninformed that ends
Allowing e-businesses to sell solutions that may or may not work.
I have struggled with my hair for a long time now. I am quickly approaching my 30s and I have bad hair quality. Recently, I have also noticed that my hair has stopped growing as it used to. A few years ago I went to the salon on a monthly basis. Now, it takes me almost two months before I even need to cut my hair! I am desperate and I really need help right now. Hair is one of the most important parts of a woman and I don’t want to give up on this one. I went to the doctors but they didn’t found anything wrong with me. The exams I took showed that I am healthy and there’s no reason for this to even happen to me. Please, I really need hair advice urgently!
Hi Wendy! Are you eating enough protein? Getting enough B vitamins? Perhaps a hair supplement can help? Even if you are healthy, your hormones may be out of balance, or you may be low in ferritin or iron.
Thanks Chere for the answer. My doctor has recently told me about Vitamins B. I am trying it now and Hope it will help. Thank you again.
It’s really true:”Men’s hair loss in particular has created a billion-dollar industry, with putative cures ranging from chemically laced topical treatments and drugs to transplants and—ugh—wigs. Yet hair-loss science is imperfect, uncertain and riddled with misinformation that allows companies to sell solutions that may or may not work.”
Awesome. Very good the post
I agree with everything that was said in this post but I would like to make one observation: Taking care of the hair and body is a must for every woman.
Very good written article. It will be supportive to anyone who utilizes it, including me.
Keep doing what you are doing – can’r wait to read more posts.
Oh God! Diet again! I want to improve my hair, but I’m so undisciplined about diet… 😉
Nice and useful article. Thanks.
I didn’t know about detox helps prevent hair loss. Thank you.
It can do, depending on what you have in your body. High levels of heavy metals such as lead, aluminium or mercury in the body can lead to hair loss. Get yourself checked, and ensure your water supply is low in these heavy metals too! http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education3/30-water-hair-loss.htm
Muito bom o post. Parabens
I believe that of course it is much better because we do not take risks