Friday, 15 December 2017

Hair care: 20 Ways to reduce hair loss in men

Hair care: 20 Ways to reduce hair loss in men
Hair loss is one of the most common problems worldwide; affecting one-third of the population.
Everyone loses 100 hair stands each day.





It is a natural phenomenon; so there's is no need to worry over a few follicles falling off. There

could be many causes of hair loss which include diet, mineral deficiency, medications, stress, pollution and genetics. Putting on a cap, hat or helmet could also be another reason in men. Here's our list of 20 solutions to help reduce or deal with hair loss.

Regularly wash your hair with mild shampoo


Regular hair washing is a part of preventing hair loss by the way of keeping hair and scalp clean. Doing so, you are lowering the risk of infections and dandruff that may lead to hair breakage or loss. Moreover, clean hair gives the impression of more volume.

Vitamin for hair loss



Vitamins are not only healthy for overall well being but also good for your hair. Vitamin A encourages healthy production of sebum in the scalp, vitamin E betters blood circulation in the scalp to help hair follicles remain productive and vitamin B helps hair maintain its healthy colour.

Enrich diet with protein





Eating lean meats, fish, soy or other proteins promotes hair health and in turn helps curb hair loss.




Scalp massage with essential oils





Those who have been experiencing hair loss for quite some time must massage the scalp with essential oil for couple of minutes. It helps your hair follicles remain active. You can add lavender in an almond or sesame oil.




Avoid brushing wet hair



When hair is wet, it is in its weakest state. So avoid brushing wet hair because the chances of hair loss increases. But if you must comb wet hair, use a very wide-toothed comb. Also avoid brushing hair too frequently as doing so can injure hair and increase loss. Use your fingers to undo tangles, not a comb or brush.




Garlic juice, onion juice or ginger juice





Rub one of the juices on your scalp, leave it overnight and wash it out in the morning. Do it regularly for a week and you will see noticeable result.




Keep yourself hydrated





The hair shaft comprises one quarter water so drink at least four to eight cups of water in a day to stay hydrated and for the growth of healthy hair.




Rub green tea into your hair





Studies have shown that rubbing green tea into hair may help curb hair loss problem. All you need to do is brew two bags of green tea in one cup of water, leave to cool and thereafter, apply it to your hair. Rinse your hair thoroughly after an hour. To see results, practice this regularly for a week to ten days.




Know what is bad for hair



If you want to keep hair healthy, you must know how to take care of them. Avoid rubbing your hair dry with a towel. Rather, let hair dry naturally.





Reduce Alcoholic Beverages





If you are experiencing hair loss than lessen your alcohol intake because drinking alcohol reduces hair growth. So decrease or eliminate alcohol to see an increase in hair growth.




Avoid Smoking



Smoking cigarettes reduces the amount of blood that flows to the scalp and this causes a reduction in hair growth.





Physical activity



Make time for physical activity every day. Walk, swim or bike for 30 minutes a day helps balance hormonal levels, reducing stress levels besides reducing hair fall.




De-stress


Studies in the past have found medical evidence to link stress with hair loss. De-stress yourself; one of the ways of doing it is by practicing meditation. Alternative therapies such as meditation and yoga not only reduce stress but restores hormonal balance.




Avoid Constant heating & drying





Don't subject your hair to frequent, constant heating and drying procedures. Heat weakens hair proteins, and constant heating and drying can lead to weakness and fragility that causes hair loss.




Keep your head sweat free



Men with oily hair, experience dandruff during summer due to sweating and the chances of hair fall increases. Using shampoos that contains aloe vera and neem can keep the head cool and prevent from dandruff.


Also, men who wear helmet experience major hair loss in summer. As the sweat accumulates in the pores and weakens hair roots causing hair loss in men. So wearing a scarf/ bandanna over your hair or a terry cloth headband can prevent hair loss.




Change how you style your hair (for men with long hair)





If you are losing your hair lately, you must loosen up your hair. Hairstyles such as ponytails, braids and artificial hairstyles pull hair or tug hair follicles, and can eventually cause baldness.




Take care of your health





Health problems are harbingers of hair loss. Ensure you deal with chronic illnesses, high fevers and infections properly to ensure healthy hair.




Keep a watch on medication





Certain medications may have side-effects, one of which could be hair loss. Consult a doctor to ask about conditions that you may have. Let him know if the medication is causing hair loss and if that is the case, ask him to change the medication.




Keep away from chemicals

Harsh chemicals and permanent hair colour products could be damaging for hair health. When you are experiencing hair loss, it is advised not to colour your hair.



Schedule appointments with doctors regularly


There are many health conditions, particularly skin-related conditions, that causes changes in hormonal balances which in turn lead to hair loss. Make sure you see a doctor regularly for your underlying illnesses and conditions.

Home remedies for hair fall and regrowth

Home remedies for hair fall and regrowth

In this article, we have shortlisted some of the most effective natural home remedies for hair growth that actually show result within a very short period of time

1. Egg Mask

Egg mask is one of the most effective home remedies for dull hair. Healing properties of the egg whites work well to replenish and restore the softness of the hair. With high levels of proteins, zinc, sulphur, iron, phosphorus and iodine, it is the most amazing mask you can apply to your hair for thick hair growth. Crack open two eggs, eliminate the yolk and apply the egg white mask to your hair. Leave it on for 15 minutes. It will look shinier and healthier instantly. If used regularly it will help in growing your hair fast.

2. Garlic

This popular kitchen herb is well-known for its strong flavours and numerous health benefits. Garlic is one of the fast hair growth home remedies and is majorly known for controlling hair fall. It is also one of the most popular home remedies for scalp fungus. The high level of compound allicin found in garlic is useful in treating hair loss. Selenium present in garlic also works together with vitamin E to improve hair health.
It boosts the circulation in the scalp and regenerates hair growth. Boil 7 to 8 cloves of crushed garlic with olive oil and apply it to the roots of the hair -follicles. Repeat this thrice a week to notice the difference.
3.Henna 
Henna is a herbal remedy packed with healing properties to tackle common hair problems like hair fall.
Henna is commonly used as a natural hair colour and conditioner but it is packed with hair repairing and strengthening properties. It can be used with various other complementing hair ingredients for hair packs to control hair damage and excessive hair fall. 
Benefits of henna for hair loss 
  1. Henna helps give volume to the hair shaft and improves your hair texture making it look beautiful, silky and strong. 
  2. Henna is a soothing conditioner for your hair and scalp. It not only helps add shine and volume to it, but protects it from further damage by forming a protective coat over it. 
  3. It has properties that help repair hair cuticles, making hair strands thick and strong. 
Henna hair packs 

Henna leaves with mustard oil 
Henna leaves and mustard oil are an ideal combination for hair growth. For this, take 250 ml of mustard oil add in about 60g of washed and dried henna leaves. Boil this mixture until the leaves are burnt and then filter the oil using muslin cloth. Then, cool and store the oil in an airtight container and use it to massage your hair regularly. 
Henna powder with curd
Henna helps strengthen the roots, while curd acts like a hair tonic with moisturising and hair conditioning properties. Take 1 cup of the dry powder from henna leaves and mix well with half a cup of curd. Apply this to the hair and allow to dry, and wash thoroughly with cool water and a mild shampoo. For beautiful hair, you could also try these other home-made packs henna hair packs.

4. curd

Enhance your look naturally by applying curd. Curd is an excellent tonic for the improvement  and quality of hair as well as genuinely prevents Hair loss. Curd is one of the best conditioners for hair. In home curd is used in different forms such as Curd Recipe, Curd Dishes, Curd raita, etc. However, for shining of hair and dandruff control & prevention, curd is used along with  any of the given herbs or spices-gram flour, pepper, methi powder, henna, egg, lemon and so on. 


5. Onion


10 Amazing Benefits of Onions for Hair

Rich in antibacterial and antifungal properties, the use of onion for hair truly helps keeps hair loss at bay. Here are 10 amazing ways your hair can benefit from using onions:
  1. They are very good at hair follicle nourishment and help restore lost nutrients to your scalp.
  2. They are rich in Sulphur, which is known to minimize breakage and thinning.
  3. They have potent anti-bacterial properties and help fight infections of the scalp. This in turn helps reduce hair fall as scalp infections can cause massive loss of hair.
  4. They are naturally potent antioxidants, which is why they help reverse the effects of premature greying.
  5. This vegetable lends a healthy shine to hair, which can become permanent when used regularly.
  6. Research has found that they have the ability to prevent neck and head cancer.
  7. They also make your hair uninhabitable for lice.
  8. Add volume by using onion juice for hair.
  9. They can be used to fight dandruff owing to their rich anti-bacterial properties.
  10. They improve blood circulation which is another way they contribute to hair growth.

Learn How to Make Onion Juice at Home

  • Peel the onions and cut them in 4 parts
  • Blend these pieces in a juicer/grinder
  • Add a little water and then filter the juice using a muslin cloth.
  • This will ensure that no onion chunks are stuck in your hair while you use the juice.

Learn How To Use Onion Juice for Hair Growth

  • Give your scalp a good application of onion juice
  • Using your fingers, gently massage it into your scalp using circular movements
  • Let it sit for approx. one hour
  • Rinse it off with a mild shampoo with a nice fragrance to get rid of the pungent smell of onions. Pantene Pro-V Silky Smooth Care shampoo and conditioner will cleanse your hair gently and also nourish it.
  • Do this often to witness the benefits. You can actually try this once a week for 2 months to see some visible difference.
You can also add the benefits of onions and some other ingredient to get stronger, glossier hair!

6.Turmeric 

Turmeric is a member of the ginger family which is native to India and other South Asian countries. It grows best in wet, tropical climates and is cultivated for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

The orange powder of the turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa) is a spice with many virtues which constitutes a natural remedy to treat digestive disorders, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, atherosclerosis and certain cancers.
This plant, a cousin of ginger, is also coveted for beauty treatments because its' cosmetic properties help fight the signs of aging, reduce facial hair, skin whitening and fade stretch marks.
Did you know that turmeric can also be used in hair care to beautify the hair, make it grow faster and treat certain conditions of the scalp? I invite you to discover recipes using turmeric to care for your hair. We will consider four benefits of turmeric for hair health.



Thursday, 14 December 2017

What Causes Hair Loss?



What Causes Hair Loss?

Doctors don't know why certain hair follicles are programmed to have a shorter growth period than others. However, several factors may influence hair loss:
  • Hormones, such as abnormal levels of androgens (male hormones normally produced by both men and women)
  • Genes, from both male and female parents, may influence a person's predisposition to male or female pattern baldness.
  • Stress, illness, and childbirth can cause temporary hair loss. Ringworm caused by a fungal infection can also cause hair loss.
  • Drugs, including chemotherapy drugs used in cancer treatment, blood thinners, beta-adrenergic blockers used to control blood pressure, and birth control pills, can cause temporary hair loss.
  • Burns, injuries, and X-rays can cause temporary hair loss. In such cases, normal hair growth usually returns once the injury heals unless a scar is produced. Then, hair will never regrow.
  • Autoimmune disease may cause alopecia areata. In alopecia areata, the immune system revs up for unknown reasons and affects the hair follicles. In most people with alopecia areata, the hair grows back, although it may temporarily be very fine and possibly a lighter color before normal coloration and thickness return.
  • Cosmetic procedures, such as shampooing too often, perms, bleaching, and dyeing hair can contribute to overall hair thinning by making hair weak and brittle. Tight braiding, using rollers or hot curlers, and running hair picks through tight curls can also damage and break hair. However, these procedures don't cause baldness. In most instances hair grows back normally if the source of the problem is removed. Still, severe damage to the hair or scalp sometimes causes permanent bald patches.
  • Medical conditions. Thyroid disease, lupus, diabetes, iron deficiency anemia, eating disorders, and anemia can cause hair loss. Most times, when the underlying condition is treated, the hair will return unless there is scarring as in some forms of lupus, lichen planus or follicular disorders.
  • Diet. A low-protein diet or severely calorie-restricted diet can also cause temporary hair loss.

What is Hair Fall?

What is Hair Fall?

Hair loss, also known as alopecia or baldness, refers to a loss of hair from part of the head or body. Typically at least the head is involved. The severity of hair loss can vary from a small area to the entire body. Typically inflammation or scarring is not present. Hair loss in some people causes psychological distress.


Hair grows everywhere on the human skin except on the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet, but many hairs are so fine they're virtually invisible. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin that is produced in hair follicles in the outer layer of skin. As follicles produce new hair cells, old cells are being pushed out through the surface of the skin at the rate of about six inches a year. The hair you can see is actually a string of dead keratin cells. The average adult head has about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs and loses up to 100 of them a day; finding a few stray hairs on your hairbrush is not necessarily cause for alarm.

At any one time, about 90% of the hair on a person's scalp is growing. Each follicle has its own life cycle that can be influenced by age, disease, and a wide variety of other factors. This life cycle is divided into three phases:

  • Anagen -- active hair growth that lasts between two to six years
  • Catagen -- transitional hair growth that lasts two to three weeks
  • Telogen -- resting phase that lasts about two to three months; at the end of the resting phase the hair is shed and a new hair replaces it and the growing cycle starts again.
  • As people age, their rate of hair growth slows. 
  • There are many types of hair loss, also called alopecia:

    • Involutional alopecia is a natural condition in which the hair gradually thins with age. More hair follicles go into the resting phase, and the remaining hairs become shorter and fewer in number.
    • Androgenic alopecia is a genetic condition that can affect both men and women. Men with this condition, called male pattern baldness, can begin suffering hair loss as early as their teens or early 20s. It's characterized by a receding hairline and gradual disappearance of hair from the crown and frontal scalp. Women with this condition, called female pattern baldness, don't experience noticeable thinning until their 40s or later. Women experience a general thinning over the entire scalp, with the most extensive hair loss at the crown.
    • Alopecia areata often starts suddenly and causes patchy hair loss in children and young adults. This condition may result in complete baldness (alopecia totalis). But in about 90% of people with the condition, the hair returns within a few years.
    • Alopecia universalis causes all body hair to fall out, including the eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair.
    • Trichotillomania , seen most frequently in children, is a psychological disorder in which a person pulls out one's own hair.
    • Telogen effluvium is temporary hair thinning over the scalp that occurs because of changes in the growth cycle of hair. A large number of hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, causing hair shedding and subsequent thinning.
    • Scarring alopecias result in permanent loss of hair. Inflammatory skin conditions  (cellulitis, folliculitis, acne), and other skin disorders (such as some forms of lupus and lichen planus) often result in scars that destroy the ability of the hair to regenerate. Hot combs and hair too tightly woven and pulled can also result in permanent hair loss.