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FIVE TIPS FOR STOPPING HAIR LOSS
Health | August 29, 2017
Hair loss, unfortunately, happens for a variety of reasons.
The most common are; environmental effects, aging, too much stress, smoking, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, genetics, scalp infections, a side effect of certain medicines, iron-deficiency anemia, and chronic illnesses. Just to name a few.
Did you know that there are about 100,000 strands of hair on your scalp?
We lose about 50-100 of those strands a day! But when you start to notice that you may be losing a bit more than that, it may be time to take some action before things progress to actual bald spots and eventually baldness.
Here are FIVE natural ways to help fight back against hair loss today, all from the comforts of your own home!
- Hair Oil Massage: One way to help reduce hair loss is to massage your scalp with appropriate hair oil. Using oils like, coconut, almond, olive, Amla, emu, argan, wheat germ, or even castor oil can help to condition the scalp, and enhance the strength of your hair’s roots. With the use of massage, you will increase the blood flow to your hair’s follicles, and this works hand-in-hand with the oil of your choice. Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to the mix! This helps to promote relaxation and reduces the feeling of stress, which can be a huge factor of hair loss. Massage the oil into your hair and scalp, and do this process at least twice a week!
- Rub Green Tea into Your Hair: Green teas contain antioxidants, which may help to prevent hair loss and encourage natural hair growth. **Brew two bags of green tea in a cup of water, and allow it to cool. Apply to both your scalp and hair and let it sit for an hour before rinsing thoroughly.
- Onion Juice: Onions are a rich source of sulfur which helps aid in hair growth by increasing collagen production which helps to improve blood circulation to the hair follicles, regenerate hair follicles and reduces any inflammation. The Journal of Dermatology published a study in 2002, which stated that 74 percent of the study participants who applied onion juice on the scalp experienced significant hair regrowth. By applying its juice to the scalp, the added collagen in the onion juice can help in controlling hair shedding and even hair loss. **Squeeze out the juice from a finely chopped onion, and apply to the scalp. Let it sit for fifteen minutes before rinsing out with a mild shampoo. Use this method twice a week.
- Aloe Vera: Aloe vera contains the enzymes that directly promote healthy hair growth. And thanks to its alkalizing properties, it can help bring the scalp and hair’s natural pH levels to a healthier state which can influence greater hair growth. Regular use of aloe vera can not only help with hair regrowth but also relieve scalp itching and redness, and even add strength and luster to hair. **Apply aloe vera gel or juice onto the scalp, and leave it on for a few hours before washing clean with lukewarm water. Repeat this process 3-4 times a week.
- Lifestyle Changes: Take care of the hair that you have now! Avoid brushing out wet hair, and rubbing hair dry with a towel. Limit blow drying your hair to minimum. Instead, allow it to air dry.
-Did you know that eating lean meats, fish, soy, or other proteins may help to slow down hair loss? Start to include more high-protein foods in your diet. Aside from containing protein, many of these foods contain Vitamin B-12.
-Reduce stress your stress! Sometimes, the main cause for hair loss is stress. Try some meditation, which can help to both reduce stress and restore your hormonal balance. Or just go out and get some exercise! Walk, swim, or bike for 30 to 60 minutes per day. This will greatly help to lower your stress levels.
In conclusion, not everyone can afford expensive hair loss treatments. And hair loss can be one of the major reasons for losing our self-confidence! Take action now by trying out the steps above take control of your hair once again!
Private Member |
switzerland/, france
ha, ha, are you reading my IG feed? I have been on a hairloss quest for many years but started to publish my progress and things I do a few days ago, what a coincidence 🙂
Personally I came across a great source of knoweldge that matches the Hairloss Center in Paris I used to follow for many years , but with really way more in depth and holistical-detailed approach (scalp peel, massage, shampoo, vitamins, nutrition, stress-decrease, health in general)… this one is oriented for men, but since I have a male-pattern hairloss , I knew I can follow their advice. As anything in health, it takes months or years to see a difference, and that is where it is difficult to find something that works.
it is called HairlossRevolution.
Private Member |
switzerland/, france
fyi: scalp needs to be treated, not the hair itself. The follicles are growing hair, so the pores need to be unclogged from sebum. Massage and correct products will help with that and increase blood flow.
From inside, obviously less stress, good nutrition (personally I am on lectin-avoidance plant paradox approach).
I am just lucky to be curly so that it is not too visible..for now, but if nothing’s done, I will have really “see-through” hair style in few years.
Private Member |
va, united states
Laila what type of products do you recommend for cleaning the scalp to unclog hair follicles?
Private Member |
switzerland/, france
I am still using the product from Clauderer hair center which mainly essential oils. However if you look up on Hairloss revolution website there are recipes for making your own versions. it is all natural ingredients.
For all my life I used to wash my hair…as in only washing the HAIR , not the scalp.
my hair analysis (real hair sent to be seen under microscope) really showed that I have sebum build-up and the follicles are suffocating.
I am now also using the grand-ma ingredient of adding vinegar to the last water over my hair and scalp: it help removing the calcium deposit.
Also I started using Magnesium oil on scalp massage , but also for other health benefits (calf cramps, menstrual cramps, lazy digestion,etc..) it is really oily, so I must shampoo my hair and therefore only do it twice a week.
I typically wash my hair once a week (every 5-7 days…sometimes up to 10 days…yup! beauty of dry -curly hair, kr,kr,kr), now going down to every 4-5 days.
Private Member |
va, united states
Thanks Laila! So much helpful information here. I will check out some of the recipes. I do rinse with apple cider vinegar every once in a while when I feel some build up in my hair but I will try to be more consistent. I also used to massage my scalp nightly with various oils but got out of the habit. I will pick it up again now. Thank you!
Private Member |
seattle, washington
There is a sixth idea. Don’t wash it as often. This isn’t my idea but science’s.
Private Member |
switzerland/, france
how often is “often”?
Private Member |
seattle, washington
Probably as little as you can tolerate. Greasy and dirty hair can be pretty hard to live with.
Private Member |
melbourne, victoria, australia
Great one, Chris – empirically confirmed! I used to wash my hair every day and my hair improved when I stopped it!
Private Member |
seattle, washington
How often do you wash your hair then?
Private Member |
melbourne, victoria, australia
Now once a week (mid length now), but it took me a couple of very frustrating months to get used to it. As I work with other people I couldn’t afford to have them greasy for whole week :). Dry shampoo really came in handy (not every day tho!). I have to warn you that it’s hard at the beginning as you may have an obsessive feeling that everyone is looking at your unwashed hair… I’ve also noticed that my hair not only doesn’t get greasy so quickly but also got more curly! Side effect I suppose 😉
Private Member |
ellijay, ga, united states
While I’m not experiencing hair loss, I DO love to use tea in my hair every so often (ANY type). I remember hearing how the stuff in the tea is healthy for the hair, so every now and then, before my shower, I’ll brew a bit of tea and bring it with me in the shower (sometimes putting a bit of raw honey in there as well — even nicer results, there). You’d not BELIEVE how shiny it makes the hair the next day (I take my showers before bed since my hair is pretty long — it just takes too long to dry in the mornings). I don’t let mine sit for an hour, though I do leave it on while I do my other shower stuff. I can only imagine leaving it on for an hour would make the results even better! Even if you aren’t having trouble with hair loss, I’d say give that tea one a shot! 🙂
Private Member |
st. peter, minnesota, usa
I had severe hair loss from nutrient deficiencies when my celiac disease was undiagnosed (actually repeatedly misdiagnosed by doctors). I went from a 4.25″ thick ponytail (measuring tape tightly around hair at nape) to 1.5″ ponytail circumference. My hair was at knee length and I had to cut it all the way up to armpit length, which was emotionally devastating (and I felt so mundane afterwards that I stopped taking care of myself in all areas). Of course, there were a lot of other problems at that time from my health (loss of friends, family stress, loss of career, etc).
Anyway, one more thing helpful: soaking the hair in catnip tea (cooled) for about 20 to 30 minutes between the shampoo and the conditioner when you wash your hair can help to prevent split ends from forming. I did that about once a month when my hair was long and it helped a lot. Of course, so did gentle treatment, updos, never teasing or using heat tools, etc.
Anyway, now that I’m growing my hair long again, I have been using coconut oil mixed with some rosemary oil to massage my scalp. 🙂
Private Member |
I’m in my 30s and I recently noticed that my hair seemed to be getting thinner. I went to the doctor, had some blood work done and found out that I was anemic, which can cause thinning hair. I’ve been put on iron supplements for the past 4 months and I have seen improvement! I’ve also stopped washing my hair with shampoo as often and mostly just use conditioner.
Private Member |
switzerland/, france
how often did you wash it? and how often now? the trouble is that if the pores are clogged with sebum, the blood flow is reduced in the follicle, so the supplements hardly get where they need to go.
it is really a “3D” approach needed.
my blood work was fine and has always be, worse in when your dr says “that’s life, cope with it”…sort of. What a shame !
I something’s wrong with hair, it means something is wrong in my body , duh!
I started to change my approach only 2 weeks ago and still in process of gathering all the supplies I need to do this correctly, but hope to have better result to report in 6 months.
I send my hair for analysis to a Hair Center in Paris, I am still under their program (Clauderer), so I’ll leverage that.
Private Member |
uk
Did they test your ferritin level? That’s what is usually low when hair is thinning.
Private Member |
switzerland/, france
yep, they were good.
Private Member |
A topic very personal for me. Of all the changes aging has brought, nothing has punched me in the abs, if you will, more than the changes in my hair. Once it was glorious but you spend years on some of the immune-suppressing medications and you consider yourself lucky to have hair at all. Fortunately, I have curly hair and if it is kept in a short, windblown style which requires zero care, I am looking better than I suppose I had a right to expect. I wash it with an herbal concoction I make, use argon oil, and leave it the heck alone. I’ve made peace and actually think it looks dynamite like this and I’m finally feeling devastingly attractive again. Wow. Close call there. LOL
Private Member |
ramona, ca, usa
I can get on board with all of these suggestions except the onion juice LOL. I refuse to even buy an onion much less soak my hair in the juices, that is like my worst nightmare hahaha.
Private Member |
tx
Much of what needs to be addressed with hair loss is hormone balance. Hormones are regulated by the thyroid, and the thyroid needs optimum iodine levels to function properly. Most of the world’s population is iodine deficient, and especially so the “westernized” regions. This is why iodine was added to table salt, to help prevent iodine-deficiency related problems (severe problems, like developmental and cognitive problems). The recent health trend to use only sea salt has removed a main source of iodine from people’s diets, and potentially creates a problem. I think before you go on life-long regimens of hair washing and scalp massaging (honestly how is this “necessary” when for 99.9% of human existence we hardly bathed!), make sure you nutrition is good and your nutrient levels are where they need to be, particularly iodine. Ferratin (iron) levels are also important to explore.
Private Member |
uk
Iodine is a powerful thing. One little drop every morning and my cellulite is gone in less than 2 weeks. I don’t know if it detoxes the body or what but it does something. I don’t take it regularly though, I’m worried I would nuke my thyroid : )
Private Member |
Completely agree about iodine. In the UK salt isn’t iodised and iodine deficiency is very common. It’s not even included in most children’s multivitamins despite the fact the most children don’t meet the recommended intake – and it has been linked with children’s IQ.
Private Member |
germany
I have a thyroid condition and lost half my hair. I stopped dying it, quit the heat, took some vitamins and minerals – it helped a little, but they eventually stopped growing. And I want my hair to reach 28 inches, so it’s really frustrating when you are stuck at 16 for a full year. Of course, your hair always grows, but the ends just broke off.
So, what I do now (I am at 19 inches atm 🙂 :
– I use Calia hair products. They are awesome. It is a Canadian brand, soap free, chemical free, all natural. Improved my hair so much!
– I gradually oil my hair every day. I just mix some jojoba oil with rosemary and neem oil and put 2-3 drops on my ends.
– I use a hair tonic (currently by Dr Hauschka, but living libations also has amazing remedies) daily and massage my scalp upside down for 5mins (I think it’s also called the ‘inversion method’).
– I buy a lot of superfoods and do not rely on supplements so much anymore. (f.i. I have a morning smoothie with vanilla protein powder, maca, chia, hemp seeds, 2 brazil nuts and 3 almonds, apricot, spinach, coconut water, amaranth and some fruit like bananas. Basically, I just mash up all the good stuff and drink it. :D) I also eat a more plant-based diet and have collard green wraps with quinoa or sth for lunch, but I also eat meat sometimes. Just trying to get a lot of nutrients through my diet. This is really tough, I made a list of foods that are rich in a certain nutrient – just like Zuzka has to when she comes up with her meal plans.
– The night before washing, I oil my scalp and comb my hair. I use different products, sometimes I mix my own oil, right now I love khadi.
– Also, a lot of people swear by msm. I tried it, NOT good when you have thyroid issues!!! However, msm is the sulphur found in onion, like Zu pointed out. I havent tried it on my scalp yet (I dont really want to smell like an onion overnight ^^), but I think it helps. Aloe Vera is great for your scalp, too.
However, my hair is still rather thin. I dont think there’s much I can do though. At least it is growing and healthy.
Private Member |
san antonio, texas
Wow….great tips Izzy! I have just recently quit most of my supplements replacing them with real Whole Foods/superfoods. Makes so much more sense to obtain your nutrients from foods rather than relying on some concoction in a capsule.
Private Member |
walnut creek, california, united states
Oh man, this is what I am going through right now, and I’ve become rather obsessed on a mission to change it.
I have fine hair, but I used to have A LOT of it. Now, I have fine hair, and have lost about a 1/3 of it!! Not okay. I’m devastated and really starting to worry as I look in the mirror.
I also have an oily scalp, so not washing it daily, especially since I work out and sweat daily, isn’t really an option for me, and believe me, I have tried time and again to make this work. It looks like I’m wearing a grease cap by day two. I try and try, but this just doesn’t work well for me. It’s awful.
I’m also an herbalist, so currently I am working on balancing my hormones at 43 because they are definitely wacky, and because I do believe that THIS is at the core of why I am losing my hair so much more than usual. My hair falls at about 100+ strands per day easy. I have actually counted them because I’m so freaked out. And I know that stress does not help the situation, but how to ignore it? You can’t!
I eat great, I take my omegas, I eat my food-based vitamins and superfoods, etc. I use a daily, gentle, herbal and hair loss focused shampoo and conditioner set, I do a gentle vinegar rinse every two weeks… all the topical things I should be doing, I do. I tried oils and things, but they make my hair fall out worse, so I backed off of that.
So now I am focusing on the inside out. I’ve created a tincture to balance hormones and gently detox the liver, because with a stagnant liver, your hormones cannot balance properly. That’s where I’m at currently. Hoping so much that this does the trick for me. I need my hair fall to slow down and be at 50-75 or I’m going to have that awful scalpy, wispy-hair look. My fingers are crossed that I can do this with my herbal brews. 🙁 I’m also trying a natural progesterone cream on days 12-26 of my cycle to further assist in the hormone balancing feat.
Private Member |
santa cruz, ca
I love love love your comment!! I am in TCM, so I greatly appreciate your holistic perspective and thoughts. Thank you!
Private Member |
walnut creek, california, united states
Yes! ❤️ My pleasure. Thank you for the sweet reply.