Causes of hair loss and how to prevent hair loss

Hair loss is also known as alopecia is a problem faced by millions of men and women across the world. Hair fall can be a very distressing problem and can make you feel depressed. Hair fall can be due to many reasons. Knowing the root cause of your hair loss will help you deal with your problem more efficiently.

Table of content (TOC)

Couses of hair loss

Following are some of the reasons that may be the reason for your hair fall:-

1. hereditary problem:
 Hair fall can be a hereditary problem for some people.

2. hormonal imbalance:
Hormonal imbalance can sometimes lead to hair loss.

3.Tension:
 Stress can be a major cause of hair loss.

4. Hair Styling Tools:
Frequent use of hair styling tools can make your hair fall out faster.

5. birth control pills:
Taking steroids like birth control pills can often lead to uncontrolled hair fall.

6. Inadequate protein:
A diet with insufficient amount of protein can trigger hair loss.

7. Radiation therapy of the head:
Hair may not grow back as before.  If the cause is radiation therapy.

But there is no reason for you to be disheartened, as there are many treatments available to control hair fall. Homeopathy presents promising remedies to reduce hair fall.

Symptoms of hair loss

What are the symptoms of hair loss? Hair loss can manifest in many different ways, depending on its cause. It can come on suddenly or gradually and affect just your scalp or your entire body. Some types of hair loss are temporary, and others are permanent. 

Symptoms of hair loss may include:

Gradual thinning on top of the head. 

Hair loss for man

Hair loss for women

This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting both men and women. In men, hair often begins to fall in a line from the forehead that often resembles an M. Women usually keep the hairline on the forehead intact, but they have a wider section of hair.

Circular or patchy bald spots. 

Male pattern

Some people experience smooth, coin-sized bald spots. This type of hair loss usually affects only the scalp, but it sometimes occurs in the beard or eyebrows as well. In some cases, your skin may be itchy or sore before the hair fall.

Sudden loosening of hair.

A physical or emotional blow can cause hair to become loose. A handful of hairs can still come out after combing or washing or gentle tugging. This type of hair loss is usually caused by hair loss and not bald patches.

Full-body hair loss.

Certain conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in hair loss throughout your body. Hair usually grows back.

Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp.

This is a sign of ringworm. It may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling and sometimes, nausea.

See your doctor if your child or you are concerned about hair loss and want treatment. Also talk to your doctor if you notice sudden or more frequent hair loss or more than normal hair loss when combing or washing your or your child's hair.  Sudden hair loss may indicate an underlying medical condition that needs treatment.

 Hair loss treatments

1. If your hair loss is due to scalp diseases like dandruff or eczema, your homeopathic doctor may prescribe medicines like Psorinum.

2. Your doctor may recommend medications such as Pulsatilla or Sepia officinalis if hair loss occurs after childbirth or after menopause.

3. If the hair loss is due to alopecia, your doctor may prescribe you medicines like Calcarea carbonica.

4. Homeopathic medicines like fluoric acid are used to make your hair grow back if bald spots appear on your scalp due to hair fall.

5. In case of complete baldness, medicines like Lycopodium are used to make your hair grow back.

6. Silica is a common homeopathic medicine that is prescribed for hair loss in case of young people.

Hair loss should not be ignored. You can consider visiting a homeopathic doctor if your hair is falling at an alarming rate.

Hair loss treatment for women

Medications are the most common treatment for hair loss in women.  Some of which have been included as follows: But keep in mind that you must consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

Minoxidil (Rogaine, generic versions):

 The drug was initially introduced as a treatment for high blood pressure, but people who noticed it were growing hair in places where they had lost it. Research studies confirmed that minoxidil applied directly to the scalp can stimulate hair growth. 

As a result of the studies, the FDA originally approved over-the-counter 2% minoxidil for the treatment of hair loss in women. Since then a 5% solution has also become available when a stronger solution is needed for a woman's hair loss.

Side Effects and Concerns: Minoxidil is safe, but it can cause unpleasant side effects in addition to alcohol-related skin irritation. Sometimes the new hair differs in color and texture from the surrounding hair. 

Another risk is hypertrichosis -- excessive hair growth in the wrong places, such as the cheeks or forehead.  (This problem is more likely to occur with a stronger 5% solution.)

Since the patent on Rogaine (the brand-name version of minoxidil) has expired, a number of generic products are available. They all contain similar amounts of minoxidil, but some include additional ingredients, such as herbal extracts, that can trigger allergic reactions.

Anti-androgens:-

Androgens include testosterone and other "male" hormones, which can accelerate hair loss in women.  Some women who do not respond to minoxidil may benefit from the addition of the anti-androgen drug spironolactone (Aldactone) for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. This is especially true for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) because they tend to make extra androgens. 

The doctor will usually prescribe spironolactone along with an oral contraceptive for women of reproductive age.  (A woman taking one of these drugs should not become pregnant because they can cause genital abnormalities in a male fetus.) Possible side effects include weight gain, decreased libido, depression, and fatigue.

Iron supplements:

Iron deficiency can be the cause of hair loss in some women. Your doctor may test your blood iron levels, especially if you are a vegetarian, have a history of anemia, or have heavy menstrual bleeding. If you have an iron deficiency, you will need to take a supplement and this can stop your hair loss. However, if your iron levels are normal, taking extra iron will only cause side effects such as upset stomach and constipation.

Hair transplantation:

Hair transplantation, a procedure used in the United States since the 1950s to treat androgenetic alopecia, which involves removing a strip of scalp from the back of the head and using it to fill in bald patches . Today, 90% of hair-transplant surgeons use a technique called follicular unit transplantation, which was introduced in the mid-1990s.

During this procedure, surgeons remove a narrow strip of scalp and divide it into hundreds of smaller grafts, each containing only a few hairs. Each graft is placed in a slit in the scalp made by a blade or needle in the area of ​​the missing hair.  Hair grows naturally in this way, in small clusters of one to four follicles, called follicular units. As a result, the graft looks better than the "plug" of larger hairs, which are attached to the hair transplant.

Hair care

Hair care tips  for women and man

These hair care tips can come in handy to help you protect your hair, prevent hair fall and add volume to your existing hair.

1. Try Coloring for Hair Loss:

If you have inherited a tendency to hair loss, you should have very healthy hair overall. Therefore, your hair can take advantage of permanent or semi-permanent color to give body and volume to the hair.

Medicines can weaken hair, causing it to break or fall out. Semicircular paint is good in this case, as it does not contain ammonia or peroxide. It won't damage the hair, but it will give body and volume.

If you have fine-grained hair, semipermanent or permanent color is fine, as long as it is not professionally applied. Colored hair can easily be overprocessed, which damages it, leading to hair loss.

2. Use Volumizing Products

Many volume-building hair products contain paraffin, which is a wax. It is not good for the hair, as what it builds up can cause hair breakage.

However, products sold in salons do help. They won't weigh down the hair, and they won't damage it. Mousse, for example, can be applied to the core area for support. Then, begin to blow dry at the root, applying gentle tension with a brush to create volume.  Use a light finishing spray to hold it in place.

3. Shampoo and Condition Your Hair When Dirty

To protect the hair, the best practice is to shampoo only when the hair is dirty. Because fine hair tends to get dirty faster, those with a fine texture need to shampoo more often—even though fine hair tends to break more easily.

For that reason, fine textured hair benefits from a good shampoo and volume-building conditioner.

4. Find a Style That Suits Fine Hair

The blow dryer shouldn't be a problem, even if you have fine hair. However, be very careful about applying high heat directly to the hair. Flat irons and curling irons can cause damage and breakage.

Because they contain so many strong chemicals, curl-relaxing products are a no-no for fine hair.

5. Get a Permanent Wave

Adding volume to permanently textured hair can help – but hair should be healthy, not dry or brittle. Only a gentle body wave is recommended, as tight waves can damage the hair. Because the chemicals in permanents are harsh, a permanent should only be a last resort for people with fine hair. 

Again, make sure a professional stylist gives you permanent instructions so the hair doesn't get damaged. If you have any concerns or queries, you can always consult an expert and get your questions answered! And Share your problem with us by commenting.