FITNESS
Hair to stay
A variety of home remedies can be easily found in our kitchens which can prevent hair fall
Dr Sonal Shah

Everyone wants beautiful and healthy hair. Losing your hair can be disturbing, especially if you are young. The sight of hair coming out in clumps, clogging bathroom sinks, leaving endless trail on the floor, pillow and hair accessories becomes worrying. However, we must understand that hair loss occurs because of various physical conditions and fashion hazards. Understanding the reasons behind hair loss is the first step towards restoring the health of your tresses.

More often hair loss is nothing but a signal of some internal nutritional imbalance. It can arise out of poor health, lack of proteins and zinc in our diet and stressful lifestyle. However, once the reason is determined and treated, our hair goes back to its normal pattern of shedding and growing. Hair is nourished by the blood and any changes in the blood content — be it medication, hormones or lack of nutrients can result is hair loss.

Hair loss that happens all over the scalp is called diffuse hair loss. The most common causes are:

• Poor scalp condition

• Dandruff

• Mineral deficiency

• Keratin deficiency

• Hormonal imbalances, most commonly seen after pregnancy or during menopause

• Thyroid disorders

• Stress

• Acute illness

• Medication, which includes hair loss due to chemotherapy

• Birth control pills

• Anaemia

Treatment for temporary hair loss will be symptomatic and done after taking into account the amount of hair loss and its plausible cause. In case of psychological problems, expert help can be sought. Also dietary changes may be necessary to arrest hair fall. Over-use of fashion accessories or hair styling products should also be discouraged.

Home remedies

A variety of home remedies can be easily found in our kitchens which can prevent hair fall.

• Lettuce juice is effective in resolving the symptoms of hair loss. Lettuce is also called Lactuca Sativa.

• Use of castor oil can prevent hair loss.

• Lavender stimulates hair growth, balances oil production and replenishes the hair and scalp.

• Cedar wood is a great medium to get oxygen into the hair follicles and it stimulates growth.

• Cucumber also helps in hair growth.

• Thyme stimulates hair growth, fights dandruff and prevents hair loss.

• Aloe vera helps in maintaining the physiological balance of scalp. It activates hair growth and stimulates growth of existing hair.

• Basil stimulates and promotes hair growth, improves scalp circulation.

• Almond oil massaged slowly in small circular motions on the scalp adds lustre to the hair making it healthy.

• Tea tree oil helps unblock clogged hair follicles, moisturises hair and keeps the scalp free of bacterial and fungal problems.

• Steam together a pot of chamomile flowers and nettles for 20 minutes, and then add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Place this mixture in a spray bottle and generously spray on your hair after shampooing. Do not rinse. This hair tonic will remove tangles, strengthen the hair and prevent breakage and split ends. The vinegar will also help to restore the hair to its natural pH balance and you will love the results.

The writer is a Mumbai-based tricologist and founder of Richfeel

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