Hair loss is one of the most common problems being faced today. Though losing 25 to 50 hair strands in a day is normal, sometimes the hair loss can be lot more and rapid causing worry and concern. Here are some simple measures which can help to control hair fall to a good extent.
1. Feed your hair: Have a good balanced diet
Hair requires a good number of vitamins and minerals too.
Vitamin A encourages healthy production of sebum in the scalp and also helps in hair growth. It is found in dark leafy green vegetables, sweet red peppers, mango, papaya etc.
Vitamin B12 found in milk, and milk products, beans etc. is useful for hair growth.
Biotin is very important for hair health. A deficiency of biotin can cause hair fall and hair thinning. So, if you are suffering from hair fall, include foods like dairy products, nuts, green vegetables e.g. cabbage that are rich source of biotin in your regular diet.
2. Give hair their building blocks: Have a protein-rich diet
Proteins are the building blocks of hair. Adequate protein intake promotes hair health and in turn helps curb hair loss. Indulge in a protein-rich diet, which comes in the form of lentils, dried beans, cottage cheese and of course, milk.
3. Hydrate your hair: Have enough water
Keep yourself hydrated. The hair shaft comprises one quarter water, so drink at least eight to twelve glasses of water in a day to stay hydrated and for growth of healthy hair.
4. Pamper your hair: Massage your Scalp with Essential Oils
A scalp massage with essential oil for couple of minutes helps your hair follicles remain active.
Oil can penetrate well within the hair shaft, thereby preventing the hair from losing its moisture. The hair is less likely to suffer damage and stays dense as well as strong. Castor oil especially has excellent hair growth properties and is considered an effective remedy against hair loss.
Warm a little oil for a few minutes. Gently rub it over clean scalp and hair shafts allowing the oil to penetrate. Leave it on for a few hours, preferably overnight and then wash with a mild shampoo.
5. Nourish your hair: Use hair balms and hair mask
Hair loses moisture quickly. You can use special balms and hair masks to address this problem. Use balm either simultaneously with shampoo or immediately after rinsing it off. The correct way to apply balm is to smear it along the whole length of the hair, while avoiding rubbing it into the skin. Use a good hair mask once in a couple of weeks.
6. Go green : 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.
7. Keep hair clean: Shampoo regularly
Regular hair washing is a part of preventing hair loss by the way of keeping hair and scalp clean. By doing so, you are lowering the risk of infections and dandruff that may lead to hair breakage or loss. Do not hesitate to shampoo hair on a regular basis.
8. Do it correct: Shampoo Correctly
Comb your hair thoroughly before washing. The quantity of shampoo to be used depends on the length of your hair. Be careful not to use too much.
Put shampoo onto your palms, and rub them together to whip up the foam. Then apply the shampoo to the roots of your hair. Use massaging movements, making sure to only touch the skin with your soft fingertips (and not with your nails, to avoid causing scratches).
9. Be gentle: Avoid hot water
Hair is a delicate structure. Do not use excessively hot water to wash your hair. Hot water strips your hair of colour and activates the oil-producing glands. Use lukewarm or tepid water which will help dilute the oil glands’ secretions, remove dirt, and improve blood circulation.
It’s best to end with a cool or cold shower. Such a finish will stimulate circulation at the hair roots and make your hair look smooth and shiny.
10. Be tender: Avoid brushing wet hair
Wet hair is very weak. Brushing wet hair increases chances of hair breakage. If you must comb wet hair, use a very wide-toothed comb. Use your fingers to undo tangles, not a comb or brush.
11. Know what is bad for hair: Avoid blow drying
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.
12. Let your Hair Breath: Avoid Smoking
Smoking reduces the amount of blood that flows to the scalp and this causes a reduction in hair growth.
13. Vitalize your Hair: Exercise Regularly
Make time for physical activity every day. Walk, swim or bike for 30 minutes a day helps balance hormonal levels, reducing stress levels thereby reducing hair fall.
14. Keep your hair happy: De-stress yourself
Meditate. Have a good hobby or listen to soft music to reduce stress.
15. Keep your head sweat free: Use a Bandanna
For men who wear helmet, the sweat accumulates in the pores and weakens hair roots causing hair loss. Wear a cotton bandanna or handkerchief over your hair under the helmet, so the sweat is absorbed and hair breakage prevented.
16. Be hair friendly: Chose a good hairstyle
If you are losing your hair, you must loosen up your hair. Hairstyles such as ponytails, braids and artificial hairstyles pull hair or tug hair follicles, and can eventually cause hair loss.
17. Keep hair healthy: Take care of your health
18. Be watchful: Keep an eye on your medications
19. Be nature friendly: Avoid chemicals
Harsh chemicals and permanent hair colour products could be damaging for hair health. When you are experiencing hair loss, it is advisable to reduce the frequency of hair colour or other hair treatments.
20. Regenerate your hair: Get your beauty sleep
Healthy sleeping patterns can help you solve many hair problems, so get a good 7-8 hour sleep everyday.
21. Protect your hair: Cap it !
22. Be Soft: Avoid sleeping with your hair down
If your hair is long or medium-length, you should braid it before going to bed. This will prevent it from becoming tangled and frizzy. It will also prevent hair breakage and hair fall.
23. Power up your Hair: Practice Yoga
Pranayam and yoga revitalise every cell of the body.
Yogasanas like Surya Namaskar, Vajrasana, Sarvangasana, Halasana and pranayam rituals like kapalbhati, and anulom vilom help hair growth. These asanas cleanse our system and open up blockages allowing proper oxygen and blood flow, which results in nourishing hair follicles.
24. Stimulate your Hair: Acupressure
Acupressure is known to stimulate hair growth considerably. Balayam, which is an acupressure therapy increases circulation in the scalp and stimulates hair growth. For this pose, you should sit in the padmasana pose and place your fingertips facing each other. Let your thumbs be away from your fingers and rub the nails of one hand with those of the other hand. Make sure you rub only the broadest part of the nails together.
25. Get it Right: Visit your Dermatologist
Do not hesitate to see your Dermatologist if your hair loss is sudden, or continuous and gradual; or you notice hair shedding in large amounts after combing or brushing, or if your hair becomes thinner or falls out.