One of the main features that shapes a woman’s physical identity is her hair. Think about it – when describing a stranger who happens to be a woman, most people provide details of her hair or hairstyle. And for generations, mothers have been teaching daughters how to care for their hair as part of their bonding sessions.
Haircare isn’t always a sign of vanity, because hair not carefully tended to can negatively affect one’s hygiene and wellbeing. One of the most crucial indicators of your overall health is the state of your hair. Hair that is vibrant and healthy indicates that your body is producing enough vitamins and nutrients to keep it in top shape. Unhealthy, dry and frizzy hair could indicate that you need to make dietary changes or adopt new haircare regimens.
Types & Causes of Hair Loss
There are 3 types of hair loss: Anagen effluvium (caused by medication that poisons growing hair follicles, such as used in chemotherapy); Telogen effluvium (caused by an increasing number of hair follicles reaching the telogen phase); and androgenetic alopecia/ Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) (the most common cause of hair loss, which sees hair thinning on the top and sides of the head).
While the causes of hair loss can vary, some of the most common causes of hair loss are vitamin deficiency; diet (rapid weight loss or restrictive diet); hair breakage; and hairstyling (hairstyles that pull on the roots of the hair and cause traction alopecia, causing permanent damage). Family genes also contribute to one’s hair loss.
Hair loss is a genetic phenomenon and there’s no cure for it. However, prevention is better than cure, as the saying goes. Hair loss prevention is the best option for the time being – so here are some hair loss prevention tips:
Use Hair Loss Shampoo
Some hair loss might be caused by clogged pores on the scalp – so medicated shampoos which help remove pores of dead skin cells may aid in the promotion of healthy hair.
Diet
Switch to a healthier diet, as hair needs a lot of protein to keep it shiny and silky. Try a Mediterranean-style diet rich in raw vegetables and fresh herbs, which may lower the incidence of androgenic alopecia (FPHL) or delay the beginning of the condition. Not only that, a high-protein diet may assist in preventing hair loss. Eggs, almonds, beans and peas, fish, low-fat dairy products, chicken and turkey are all good choices.
Do Some Yoga
Yoga may help with hair loss induced by stress. Downward Facing Dog, Forward Bend, Camel Pose, Shoulder Stand, Fish Pose, and Kneeling Pose are all stress-relieving yoga poses that can help prevent and delay hair loss. With the availability of the internet, you can do your own yoga at home from videos found on YouTube.
Regular Hair Washing
By keeping the scalp healthy and clean, frequent hair washing may help to prevent hair loss. The most important thing is to use a gentle shampoo. Harsher solutions may cause hair to dry out and break, resulting in hair loss.
Take Hair Supplements
Supplements which contain a variety of vitamins could promote and increase vitamins in the system and would promote better hair health. Other supplements, like ginseng, contain certain phytochemicals which could promote hair growth. However, if you have doubts about taking hair supplements, consult your doctor before doing so.
Don’t feel discouraged when facing hair loss – preventing rapid and premature hair loss should be your primary goal – and it’s achievable.