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 areata
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.
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