Long, lush locks of hair have defined fashion and youth for generations. The impact of hair thinning and loss can be emotionally devastating. Yet, hair loss affects more than 50 million Americans.
Old home remedies, herbal products and folk cures have offered natural hair loss treatment for hundreds of years. New technology and science has been infused into the thousands of new products, many of which are comprised of natural ingredients. DEspite hair loss treatment improvements due to technology forwarded by science, there is still no cure for hair loss.
Causes of Hair Loss
For the typical adult the scalp will contain more than 100,000 strands of hair, and it is not uncommon to lose as much as a 100 strands of hair per day.
While 90% of male hair loss comes from male pattern baldness or MBP, which is a form of alopecia; the other causes can be symptomatic of serious medical conditions and should be reviewed with your medical health care professional to rule out medical causes. Male Pattern Baldness is thought to be largely a result of an androgen called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is believed that DHT blocks the area where hair follicles uptake nutrients and start the re-growth cycle, making the hair smaller and smaller. Products that use block this hormonal byproduct are often referred to as DHT blockers. Nutritional deficiencies and medication reactions could also be responsible for the hair loss.
Female hair loss, more often, is more diffuse and can be created by hormonal changes, as well as changes in medication and pregnancy. While female pattern baldness can be caused by DHT, it is not as often the cause of loss of hair in women as it is in men.
Harsh chemical treatments, blow drying, flat irons and harsh hair products can lead to thinning and breakage in the hair follicles.
There are many chemical based treatments including 2 FDA approved treatments for thinning hair or baldness. These chemical treatments may include products like Provillus, Minoxidil, Propecia or Rogaine. Many of these products do not work for female hair loss and some can not be used by women.
Natural Treatments for Hair Loss
The first step in the treatment of hair loss should start on the inside as nutritional deficiencies can be a leading factor for hair thinning and loss. Extreme diets can also cause a drastic decline in hair thickness and quality. Those using colonic cleansing or laxatives to aid weight loss may find that even with a richly diverse diet, the body may not hold on to the nutrients long enough to provide benefit to the body.
Zinc is an essential element for hair growth and hair quality. It is best added into the diet in the form of foods rich in zinc which would include red meats, shellfish, especially oysters, whole grains and nuts. Vitamins A and E levels can be responsible for increases or decreases in hair quality and density. A balanced diet rich in vegetables, especially dark leafy greens is essential to lush, healthy hair. Increasing low fat dairy in the diet can be extremely beneficial to hair quality and regrowth. Increasing water intake can help nutrients distribute in the body and can improve the sheen and appearance of the hair, and is one of the oldest home remedies for hair growth.
Additional benefits are believed to be found by adding some food ingredients or herbal supplements to the diet. Apple cider vinegar taken by the spoonful, added to salad dressing or added to water is thought to improve the regrowth cycle and treat hair loss.
Topical Treatments
Many of the natural treatments for hair loss include the addition of an essential or herbal oil to the hair and scalp. Amla oil boiled in coconut oil is considered an effective home remedy for hair loss. Amla oil and lime juice is said to be used to replace commercial shampoos and aid in regrowth.
Stir it up
There is another school of thought in the natural hair loss treatment arena, which is that stimulating the scalp can be beneficial in the treatment of thinning hair or baldness. This could include massage, yoga and inverted positions to stimulate circulation to the scalp or frequent and extended brushing.
