Hair
Loss
We loose 50 to 80 strands of hair per
day. Do not get alarmed, this is quite
normal. Unless there is some deficiency
in diet, or ill health, lost hair is quickly
replaced by new ones. Each hair grows
between one quarter and one half inch
each month.
Reasons for hair loss
Hair loss can be triggered
off by various reasons, internal diseases,
reaction to drugs, dietary deficiencies,
scalp diseases, menopause, childbirth,
are common causes, which lead to a loss
of essential nutrients and minerals from
the scalp.
Another cause of hair loss that is usually
overlooked is hair damage. Excessive stretching
and tugging with hard combs and styling
appliances, exposure to extreme heat,
regular use of rollers and blow-drying,
perming and colouring lead to this problem.
Alopecia aerate is another alarming scalp
disease. In this disease hair growth may
be normal in most areas few bald patched
occurring in many parts of the scalp.
It maybe confined to one area or the patches
may increase and enlarge, merging onto
each other and finally resulting in total
baldness. The main cause of this is tension
and anxiety.
It is essential to remember that hair
must be treated gently. Vigorous scalp
massage in out, it would result in further
hair loss. A wide toothed comb should
be used.
Natural treatment
Success has been achieved through
use of plant extracts that promote hair
growth and improve the health of the scalp.
Henna, reetha, shikakai, amla, bael have
been used for controlling hair loss since
age-old days. These extracts have no side
effects.
Home Recipes
- Applications of castor oil and
iodine alternately for a week is excellent
for this problem. Steam the head by
wringing out a hot towel and wrapping
it around the head. Then shampoo and
use a conditioner. A conditioner offers
your hair a buffer against external
damage � also making it more manageable.
- Soak about 200 grams of reetha
in four glasses of water. Leave overnight.
Next morning, boil the mixture for
10 to 15 minutes. Squash the reetha
seeds and strain the water. Apply
to hair.
- A paste of lemon seeds and black
pepper can be applied on bald patches,
twice a week.
- Massage whipped egg white all over
the scalp. Allow it to dry before
washing off.
- Wash hair with a paste of cooked
� urad dal� and fenugreek (methi),
three times a week.
Combine together 5 tablespoons of pure
undulated coconut milk with one tablespoon
of lemon juice. Massage well into the
scalp.
Most soaps and shampoos have chemicals,
use amla and shikakai instead. Oiling
and massaging the scalp is a must once
a week. Use aloe Vera oil, or coconut
oil or mustard oil twice a week. Check
your diet � take sufficient proteins and
vitamins. Minerals and iodine are also
important. Iodine helps improve circulation
of blood in the scalp. Hair must be protected
from treatments that cause damage so a
regular hair care routine must be followed.
Unfortunately, we sit up only when we
are confronted with a problem.
Is shampooing daily harmful for the hair?
Everyday washing shouldn't
be a concern as long as you are using
a mild shampoo, which can suit your normal
hair. Something that nourishes while it
cleanses. If your hair doesn't feel unclean,
just sweaty it is okay to simply rinse
out the sweat too if you choose to. Also,
after wash, keep your damp hair in a turbaned
towel for about 15 minutes. Finger comb
it in a gentle massage like movements
and only brush gently.
The right way of washing Hair
Oiling my hair every time does
not help it in any way. On the contrary,
you end up using more shampoo every time,
damaging the hairs natural oil balance,
making it dry. Once a fortnight oiling
is just fine. To wash your hair, always
wet it first before applying shampoo.
Then, lather it by massaging with your
fingertips. Rinse thoroughly until squeaky
clean. Pat dry and finger comb out the
tangles or use a wide tooth comb.
How to treat split ends?
Split ends, which are mainly
caused when your hairs cell fail to hold
together are result of exposure to harsh
elements, chemicals or even excessive
brushing. The right kind of shampoo will
minimize hair damage. Meanwhile it is
also important to replenish ceramides,
which are hairs natural cement, and is
responsible for holding the hair cells
together. A ceramides enriched shampoo
will help repair hair fibre and reduce
split ends.
To maintain Oily Hair
Oily hair always goes with
any oily skin. The scalp has a tendency
to secrete excess oil, which makes it
lank and greasy. It is therefore important
to keep the scalp will only activate the
oil glands causing further oiliness. So
will combing more than required more so
ever, do not succumb to the temptations
of a harsh shampoo, which temporarily
restores your hair but in the long run
harms it. Using a special shampoo for
oily hair is the best, which is gentle
enough to be used often. Also essential
is to rinse at the shampoo thoroughly
finishing with cold water.
For thin and limp Hair
Thin, limp, hair does not have
a tendency to fall flat and dead. What
you need is a volume booster. For starters
choose your shampoo carefully. Ordinary
shampoos donut do much for your kind of
hair. Look up a shampoo especially for
limp hair Secondly, donut comb your hair
when wet, Let it dry naturally and finger
comb it. A hair dryer can boost your hair
for a while but on a regular basis can
prove harmful for your hair. Then, brush
your brush straight from your scalp and
shake it free.
For Dry Brittle Hair
First check your shampoo! If
you are using a harsh, unsuitable shampoo,
it will not only dry your hair, it will
cause breakage and dry scalp may turn
flaky and cause a lot of other problems.
Use an especially mild shampoo made for
dry hair. One fortified with essential
oils to replace the last nourishment is
ideal. A good conditioner also helps soften
dry hair. After wash keep your damp hair
in a turbaned towel for about 15 minutes.
Finger comb it in a gentle massage like
movements-this-will activate the oil glands
in your scalp. Then brush it gently. Oil
massages followed by a steamy, hot towel
on your head every 15 days will also help
get rid of dryness.
