Top 15 Tips to Stop Hair Loss and Increase Hair Growth

Do you want to stop your hair fall and regrow hair naturally? It is possible to stop hair fall and grow new hair.

We lose about 100 strands of hair on a daily basis due to the end of life cycle of a hair strand. Losing more is not a good sign and should not be neglected. People with excessive hair fall may experience partially or totally bald.

While hair loss is expected in a large percentage of men, it is less common in women. Excessive hair loss creates a great deal of anxiety in both men and women. The good news is that you can stop abnormal hair loss and even start growing hair. In this article, you’ll find many tips to prevent, stop, and have great hair.

Major Causes of Hair Loss

In order to stop the hair loss, it is important to find out what is causing it. There are many causes. Here are the major contributing factors:

• Heredity – Men or women with hair loss may inherit the problem. Male or female hair loss is often caused by DHT which is converted testosterone and is more common in men. In females, hair loss occurs in patches all over the head.
• Stress – Too much stress can trigger a rush of adrenaline and white blood cells which may activate an autoimmune response in hair follicles and causes excessive hair loss. It takes 1-3 months after a stressful incident for the hair to start falling out.
• Thyroid disorders – Thyroid disorder can contribute to male and female hair loss. It accelerates the conversion of testosterone to DHT which attacks hair on the scalp and damages hair follicles. A blood test can determine whether a thyroid disorder is the cause of excessive hair loss.
• Auto immune disease – It causes the immune system to attack healthy cells in many parts of the body, including hair follicles. Blood test can determine autoimmune antibodies in the blood that may be triggering hair loss.
• Hormonal imbalances – It occurs during perimenopause, menopause, or after child birth. During hormone imbalance, a woman’s estrogen levels may drop which interfere with testosterone production that supports healthy hair growth.
• Iron deficiency – Iron is important for hair, nails, and skin. The lack of iron can lead to fatigue and hair loss in both men and women.
• Vitamin D deficiency – Studies have shown that low level of vitamin D causes hair loss. High levels of vitamin D can also cause hair loss. It is important to have the right balance. Vitamin D is also important for absorbing calcium which is important for your hair.
• Vitamin deficiency – Vitamins, including vitamin B, A, C, and especially biotin are very important for having a healthy hair. A blood test will show any vitamin and mineral deficiency.
• Poor blood circulation to scalp – Smoking affects the blood circulation and causes excessive hair loss. The pollution is another major cause.
• Excessive sweating – Living in hot climates and heavy workout could cause excessive sweating which may cause irritation to the scalp and hair loss. When sweating, wash your hair as soon as possible.
• Diet – A diet low in protein may not provide enough nourishment and create deficiency in protein and biotin leading to hair loss.
• Tight hair styles – Avoid tight braids and pony tails because they affect blood circulation to scalp.
• Other causes – Excessive use of dyes and hard chemicals, side effect of certain medications, after a major surgery or illness, certain treatments like chemotherapy, lack of sleep and poor health, and dandruff are all can contribute to hair loss.

Once the causes are identified, through testing by your physician, then you can take steps to stop your hair loss and hopefully grow your hair back.

Top 15 Tips for Stopping Hair Loss and Increasing Hair Growth:

1. Reduce Your Stress

When your body is overly stressed, your body’s immune system can attack the hair follicles. Your stress levels or lack of adequate sleep might be the cause of your hair loss. Try to reduce your stress levels and get enough rest. Stress not only causes hair loss, but it generally weakens your immune system.

2. Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamin deficiencies are a leading cause of premature hair loss. When our daily food doesn’t provide all the vitamins and minerals, then it is essential to take vitamin and mineral supplements. Here are the most important vitamins and minerals for healthy hair:

• Iron
• Zinc
• Calcium
• Biotin
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B6 and B12
• Vitamin D

Make sure not to go overboard and have vitamin in moderation. Excessive use of certain vitamins and minerals can lead to hair loss. A blood test at least once a year prescribed by your physician would show whether or not you lack any vitamin or mineral.

3. Foods for Healthy Hair

You need to nourish your hair internally. Hair needs nutrients to grow and to be healthy. Try to avoid processed foods, refined grains, sugar, and hard alcohol.

Try to have a balanced meal to provide you with adequate vitamins, minerals, and omega-3.

Vitamin A

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Lettuce
• Spinach

Vitamin B-6

• Bananas
• Sweet potatoes
• White potatoes
• Spinach

Vitamin B-12

• Fish
• Meat
• Poultry
• Dairy products

Folic acid

• Tomatoes
• Beans
• Whole grain
• Citrus fruits

Vitamin C

• Oranges
• Kiwi
• Bell peppers
• Strawberries
• Pineapples
• Broccoli

Vitamin D

• Salmon
• Trout
• Sardines

Protein

Hair is made up of keratin which is protein. Seafood, lean meat, and fat free dairy products are rich sources of protein.

• Salmon and other seafood
• Meat
• Poultry
• Milk, yogurt, and cheese
• Eggs
• Beans
• Soy

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 provides nourishment to follicles, prevent dandruff, and promote hair growth.

• Flaxseeds
• Soybeans
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Walnuts
• Pumpkin seeds
• Avocado
• Eggs
• Almonds
• Milk

Iron

Iron deficiency can lead to less oxygen reaching your head resulting in poor blood circulation, leading to hair loss.

• Spinach and other leafy greens
• Prunes
• Raisins
• Oysters
• Red meat
• Egg yolks
• Turkey
• Liver

Zinc

Zinc builds proteins, creates DNA and boost tissue growth and repair. Deficiency of zinc is one of the major causes of hair loss and of hair growth.

• Nuts
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Wheat germ
• Oyster and other seafood
• Spinach
• Lean beef
• Chicken

Biotin

Getting proper nutrients in your diet will help reduce hair loss and promote hair growth. The popular vitamin that prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth is biotin or vitamin H. Milk and egg yolks are rich in biotin. You can take biotin supplement with your daily meal to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth.

Have a blood test to show how much biotin you’ll need. Most supplements come in 5,000 mcg or even 10,000 mcg for daily usage.

Caffeine

According to a study published in the International Journal of Dermatology, caffeine stimulates hair shaft and can help perk up hair growth by blocking the effects of DHT, a chemical known to damage follicles. However, drinking too much caffeine can be harmful, but there are caffeinated shampoos on the marked.

In general, don’t eat the same foods every day. Eat a variety to ensure that you get all of the vitamins, mineral, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. For best results, add multivitamin and biotin supplements and take it with food to increase absorption. Try to drink 6-8 glasses of water daily to keep your scalp from drying and causing hair loss.

4. Effect of Smoking

Smoking can constrict your blood vessel and lower blood circulation. It is one of the major contributors to hair loss. Excessive smoking and heavy sun exposure can lead to hair loss.

5. Fight Dandruff

Dandruff can lead to hair loss. Fight dandruff by eating well-balanced, nutritious food. Doctors often suggest using shampoo like Nizoral 1%, which kills yeast directly. It is a good idea to use anti-dandruff shampoo once a week to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth.

6. Keep Hair Clean

Wash your hair at least twice a week using mild shampoo. Natural or organic shampoos are much better for your hair and scalp than chemically based ones. Daily showers using chemically based shampoo will strip your hair of its natural oil.

Using the right kind of shampoo is very important to prevent hair loss. If you have a dry hair, use leave-in conditioner once a week to penetrate into your hair cuticles to heal them and to soften your hair.

Do not use hot water to wash your hair and scalp. Warm water is much better. Try to wash your hair on the coolest temperature that is comfortable for final rinse to seal the hair cuticles and to keep the moisture on your hair and scalp.

7. Avoid Styling Products

Try to avoid using styling products and never use it on your scalp. Styling products such as hair spray, gel, and so on will build up in your hair and inhibit the distribution of hairs natural oil.

8. Treat Your Hair Right

Hair is extremely delicate, especially when it is wet. Any action that damages the hair and its root will lead to hair loss. Here are some tips:

• After washing your hair, don’t rub it vigorously with towel. Gently towel dry and allow it to dry naturally, otherwise you’ll lose a lot of hair. Never rub your hair with a towel. Use a 100% cotton towel.
• If you use blow dryer, put it on a cool setting and hold it with adequate distance away from your hair. Drying your hair with heat will damage your hair.
• Avoid playing with your hair or brushing your hair while it is wet.
• Brushing will break your hair cuticles. Use your fingers to pull out tangles when your hair is 100% dry. When you do brush your hair, use a wide-tooth comb or natural bristle brush like a boar bristle brush to distribute oils throughout your hair.
• Tight hairstyles throughout the day can weaken the roots. Try a more loose hair style that is gentle on the hair.

9. Hot Oil Treatment

Hot oil treatment can be effective for hair loss when used once or twice a week. Coconut oil is the best oil for preventing hair loss. The fine nutrition and the lauric acid in coconut oil have antibacterial properties that keep your scalp from infection.

Almond oil is very rich in nutrition that includes vitamins E, D, iron, calcium, and magnesium. It makes a perfect base for essential oils.

Extra virgin olive oil is rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, and mono unsaturated fatty acids that prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth by controlling the hormone called DHT.

You can warm the oil a little and then apply it and lightly message your scalp with your fingertips. After an hour, wash your hair with shampoo. This treatment increases blood circulation and strengthens the follicles.

10. Apply Green Tea

Green tea is rich in antioxidants. It can help to reduce hair loss. You can apply warm green tea on your head. Use two tea bags prepared in cup of water. Leave it on your hair for an hour and then wash it with shampoo.

11. Fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek seeds are mustard in color and are an important ingredient in herbal oils in India. Fenugreek seeds contain protein, lecithin, and nicotinic acid. It prevents hair loss and stimulates hair growth.

Mix four tsp of fenugreek seed powder with a cup of coconut oil or olive oil. Keep it overnight and then apply the paste to your scalp and leave it for two hours, and then wash it off in running water without using shampoo.

12. Message Your Scalp

Message can help to increase blood circulation, which prevents hair loss, encourage hair growth, and it also helps to prevent dandruff. The warmed up skin during message opens up blood vessels that can help in greater nutrient intake.

Make sure to message your scalp without robbing your hair for 15-20 minutes twice a week. You can use your hands or use gentle electric massager. The results will be noticeable after only a month.

13. Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is a great treatment for all causes of hair loss. It prevents the conversion of DHT from testosterone which destroys hair follicles, a leading cause of hair loss for men and women. It is safe to use as a 500 milligrams per day. For best effect, also apply the extract containing saw palmetto on your scalp once or twice per day and leave it on until you ready to take a shower. You’ll notice the result after 1-2 month of continuous use.

14. Medical Treatments

When natural treatments don’t work, consult your doctor for prescription medicine. Hair loss can be a side effect of certain medication you’re taking or medical condition such as diabetes, thyroid problems, etc. You’ll need a blood test in order to determine the exact cause.

There are some medications that can help, including:

• Rogaine. Rogaine also known as Minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication to be applied to the scalp twice a day. Once you begin using Rogaine, you start losing more hair for the first couple of weeks. This is a period that your scalp reacts to the medicine. Then your hair loss will stop and after a few weeks of use, you’ll notice fine hairs start to appear.You may start with 2% for 2-3 weeks and then use 5% for optimum results. There are however two problems with using Rogaine: 1) Once you begin using Rogaine, you have to continue using it for life. If you stop, you’ll lose the hair you grew as a result of using Rogaine within 6 months. 2) You may start noticing hairs grown on unwanted areas, such as on your forehead, around your eyes, and other areas. It is best consulting your doctor before using Rogaine.
• Propecia. Also known as Finasteride is a pill that blocks the hormones that causes hair loss. Some men may experience lack of sexual desire due to drug’s side effect. You will need prescription from your doctor to use Propecia.

15. Stopping Menopause Hair loss

Women reaching perimenopause and menopause may experience hair loss due to hormone imbalance which is called androgenetic alopecia. It usually involves gradual thinning of the hair on the top and front of the head. Here are the measures to be taken:

• Seek out an endocrinologist or a dermatologist with knowledge and experience for diagnosis and early treatment.
• You need to have a blood test to diagnose any vitamin or mineral deficiencies. You may have emotional stress or side effect of certain medications, which leads to additional hair loss during this period.
• Ask your doctor to examine your thyroid and hormone status.
• Your doctor may prescribe Minoxidil 2% topical treatment. It generates mild to moderate hair growth when used daily.

Remember that the main cause of hair loss is DHT. Testosterone is converted to DHT leading to hair loss. Decreasing the conversion of testosterone to DHT will reduce the hair loss. Seek out natural remedies before seeking medications for stopping your hair loss. Don’t forget to massage your scalp on a daily basis to increase blood circulation to your hair follicles.

By David Jacobson – 2019 – Update 2020
Copyright © 2019-2020 Allied Publishing
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Allied Publishing

For additional articles written by David Jacobson, see alliedpublishing.com/look-younger. David Jacobson is the author of How to Look 10 Years Younger Without Plastic Surgery.