Hair loss is a common problem.
We generally lose between 80-100 hairs every day. This is a common part of the hair life cycle that begins from the growth phase (also known as the anagen phase). This is followed by a transition phase and then the rest phase comes (also known as the telogen phase). All these 3 phases are about growth and maturation, the final stage (called the exogen stage) is when active shedding takes place. Every strand of hair has a lifespan of around 3-5 years.
While everyone experiences hair fall to some extent but when your crowning glory starts shedding at a rapid speed, it becomes really heartbreaking. All of us have a cupboard full of hair serums and oils.
While there are many reasons for this change like hormonal imbalance, stress, bad lifestyle decisions like smoking or lack of a proper diet – there are things that you can do to prevent hair thinning or stop hair fall.
In this blog, we will talk about some tips and tricks that you can adopt to stop the rapid hairfall and hair thinning:
Eat right to make your hair grow
Your hair also needs the right amount of vitamins and minerals to grow. Here is a quick list of things that promote hair growth:
Protein
Hair follicles are made mostly of a protein called keratin.A lot of people who suffer hair fall have several nutritional deficiencies, including amino acids that serve as the building blocks of protein.Hence, if you want your hair to grow stronger then start eating a diet that is rich in protein. This may also help in preventing hair fall. Healthy choices that are high in protein include:
- eggs
- nuts
- beans and peas
- fish
- low-fat dairy products
- chicken
- turkey
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is partly made up of retinoids, which support healthy hair growth and influence the hair cycle. But it’s dose-dependent, meaning that too much — or too little — can damage your hair.
It’s unlikely you’ll receive too much vitamin A from dietary sources. So, fill your plate with foods rich in vitamin A, like sweet potatoes, sweet peppers, and spinach, to name a few.
Vitamin D
Often considered as an essential vitamin that promotes bone health, Vit D is also associated with nonscarring alopecia. Including Vit D in your diet will help in treating deficiencies and may help with regrowth.
Biotin
Biotin — vitamin H or B7— is involved in fatty acid synthesis in the body. This process is essential to the hair life cycle. You may experience hair loss if you have a biotin deficiency. Eggs, nuts, seeds, legumes and sweet potatoes are great sources of biotin.
Indulge in hair care
Apart from eating the right diet, it is also important to take care of your scalp and hair health.
Hair washing – Avoid washing your hair every day but do make sure that you thoroughly wash the scalp and hair regularly.
Hair oiling – Regular head massages increase blood circulation in the scalp. This makes it one of the greatest ways to stop hair loss. In addition to encouraging hair development, it keeps your hair healthy and assists in reducing stress, which is a major contributor to hair loss.
Gentle styling – Skip tight braids or ponytails that may pull on hair at the root and potentially lead to hair fall. Let your hair air dry naturally to avoid irritating your scalp. If you can, avoid heat stylers, like curling or straightening irons, which may also damage or break the hair shaft.
Practice a healthy lifestyle
Avoid smoking – Now this might come as a shocker to many but if you are someone who smokes then you are more likely to experience hair fall. Smoking restricts the blood vessels and disrupts the blood flow to your scalp. This means that your hair does not get a thorough supply of nutrients and minerals that are vital for hair growth.
Additionally, the chemical present in cigarette smoke leads to oxidative stress in the body. This damages the cells in your body, including the hair follicles. This makes them weak and more susceptible to inflammation. This eventually contributes to hair loss.
Smoking also disrupts your hormonal balance which might also contribute to hair fall.
Hence, it is advised to say goodbye to the smoking habit. It is not only good for your lungs and heart but also damages your gorgeous locks. You can consult your healthcare provider to help you with smoking cessation. They might even suggest the use of NRT products like Nicotine Gums, nicotine tablets or patches – depending on your smoking trend. You can use them to control your smoking habit.
Manage your stress in a healthy manner – stress is another factor that leads to hair fall. It makes the hair age rapidly and disputes the hair growth cycle. Hence, it is important to indulge in activities that help you manage your stress levels. You can practice yoga or do some meditation. You can also try deep breathing exercises as they will also help in maintaining a better mental health.
In conclusion, if you are someone who is feeling distressed by the increasing strands of hair on your pillow, consider these points. We are sure that when you practice a good lifestyle, eat healthy and manage your stress levels efficiently, your hair fall will gradually stop and you will get your lustrous hair back. While sudden hair loss is alarming, you can control it by taking the right corrective methods in time.
