Natural Help for Hair Loss
January 21, 2020
Hair loss affects men and women alike. And although it can be devastating for men to lose their hair, it’s doubly so for women. Yet these men and women are hardly alone as recent estimates indicate hair loss affects more than 35 million men and 21 million women.
You have about 100,000 individual hairs on your head, so you normally shed 50 to 100 hairs a day without noticing. It’s when your hair loss exceeds the rate of regrowth, or when your hair comes out in patches, it can become troubling.
The good news is that there are many men and women who swear by vitamins for hair loss along with other natural solutions. But first, let’s take a look at hair loss causes.
Hair Loss Causes
- Poor Diet. A diet deficient of iron and protein with excessive sugars and simple carbs can lead to hair loss.
- Hormonal changes. Pregnancy, birth control pills and menopause often cause hair thinning.
- Medications that cause hair loss includes those for joints, mood, or blood pressure.
- Stress. Prolonged stress can elevate certain hormones like cortisol, which stalls or stops new hair growth.
- Over-processing. Chemicals used in hair color, permanents, or straightening can cause your hair to break. Over-styling, like “teasing,” or overuse of hot rollers, curling irons and blow dryers can damage the hair shaft.
- Underlying health problems. Unhealthy blood pressure or low blood sugar and glucose levels can be at the “root” of hair loss. It’s best to seek medical attention to rule out these underlying health issues.
Thyroid and Hair Loss
Long-term thyroid health issues can also affect hair grow since it greatly impacts the health of your scalp. With thyroid issues, hair loss occurs uniformly across your head, not just in certain areas. Once your thyroid has been successfully treated, your hair will grow back, but it will take several months and your hair may not be as full as you recall. If you’re diagnosed with a thyroid issue, it is important to remain on your course of treatment or your hair loss may return or worsen.
Vitamins for Hair and Other Natural Options
When it comes to hair loss, some people may tell you that you just have to “live with it,” but that’s simply not true. Short of transplants and medications, there are natural solutions to try. Best of all, they don’t involve scarves or comb-overs!
- Try vitamins for hair. Your hair is a reflection of your general health. Besides a good multivitamin, look for specific hair-nourishing formulas that include Biotin, Niacin, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Iron, and Zinc to keep your hair thicker and fuller looking.
- Eat a healthy diet. Include whole, protein-rich foods and limit refined sugar.
- Handle hair gently. Avoid tight hairstyles like ponytails, barrettes and the like. If at all possible, avoid daily washing and try to let your hair air dry.
- Use a natural hair care products. The last thing you want to do is add more chemicals to your hair, so look for a natural shampoo, preferably one containing the hair-helping herbs of sage, rosemary, lemongrass or lemon oil, along with moisturizing Vitamin E.
Thinning hair can be troubling and even affect your self-esteem. Always seek advice from your health care professional to discuss options that are right for you. Since hair grows only about a half inch per month, be patient and you will see improvement in time.
