Hair Growth

Those long strands of hair caught in between the teeth of the comb or just lying on the floor can be a cause for concern for many. Hair fall is a very common problem that many go through. We are born with about 5 million hair follicles, out of which close to 100,000 are on our heads. This number remains the same throughout our life. However, due to age or health issues, some of these follicles stop producing hair, which in turn causes hair fall and even baldness. As per the American Academy of Dermatology, our hair grows about 1.5-inch/month. However, several factors influence this, such as age, health, and hair type. Before we look into how to make your hair grow, let us look at the primary causes of hair fall:

Hair Fall Reasons

As per the American Academy of Dermatology, the following are the reasons that can cause hair fall:

Age- With age, hair growth slows down resulting in hair fall, receding hairline, and even baldness. It also begins to grey.

Genetic- This is one of the most common causes of hair loss and occurs in both men and women. In men, it is called male pattern baldness and in women, it is called female pattern baldness. In women, a sign is the general thinning of hair, while in men a receding hairline or baldness in a part of the head are symptoms for male pattern baldness.

Hormonal Imbalance- Hair loss can also result from hormonal imbalance. For eg, women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which is a hormonal disorder that results in cysts in ovaries, resulting in several symptoms, including hair thinning.

Childbirth, surgery, or a stressful event- Right after childbirth, or after surgery, or even a stressful event in life, such as divorce or the death of a loved one, there can be an increase in hair fall. 

Cancer- If you have cancer, you go through chemotherapy or radiation therapy resulting in complete or partial hair loss. 

Scalp Infection- This is another reason for hair loss, which results in flaky or inflamed areas on the scalp. In case of scalp infection, you can also see black dots on the scalp, which are actually stubs of hair. 

Certain medicines- Sometimes medication can also cause hair fall. However, do not stop the medicines abruptly and consult your doctor before doing so. 

Hair Treatment- Many dye, or colour, their hair. Some go for perm or straightening. All of these can cause hair loss.

Specific Hairstyle- Hair loss can also occur if you tightly tie your hair by pulling it backward. In fact, there is a medical name for this called traction alopecia.

Nutrient Deficiency- If you have a deficiency of protein, iron, zinc, and/or biotin, this can cause hair loss. 

Diseases That Cause Hair Fall

Other than the above, there are certain diseases that cause hair loss.

Alopecia areata- This is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair fall. Not only do you lose hair from the scalp, but also from the nose and ears. Many people even lose their eyelashes and eyebrows.

Scalp Psoriasis- It is a skin disease that results in scaly, red, itchy patches on the scalp, which can cause hair fall.

Scarring alopecia- When inflammation damages hair follicles, because of which they can no longer produce hair, the condition is called scarring alopecia.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)- STDs when left untreated can cause hair loss. One example of such an STD is syphilis.

Thyroid- Thyroid imbalance can also lead to hair loss.

Home Remedies To Prevent Hair Fall And Make It Grow

Whatever the reason may be, hair fall can be a cause for concern. Although there are medical treatments available, there are home remedies that can help you with the problem of hair fall.

Hot Oil Massage

When you massage your scalp with lukewarm oil, it boosts blood circulation in that region, which is believed to lead to hair growth. You can use any oil of your choice, such as coconut, mustard, etc, and do this multiple times a week.

Aloe Vera

This natural ingredient is quite common in hair care products. When applied to the scalp, aloe vera gel can help with irritation and inflammation and can soothe problems caused by infections. It also reduces dandruff and unclogs the pores that might be clogged by excess oil. You can apply aloe vera gel to your scalp multiple times a week and can choose shampoo and conditioner that contains it.

Onion Juice

This is another home remedy used extensively in Indian homes and if you can stand the smell, you should try onion juice to prevent hair fall. What you have to do is take some onions and blend them in a mixer. Squeeze them to extract the juice. Apply to hair, and leave for 15 minutes. Wash with shampoo.

Coconut Milk

Coconut is a wonder product for hair, be it coconut oil or milk. The latter is rich in zinc, potassium, and other nutrients and helps with hair growth. What you need to do is extract milk from a fresh coconut. Add a few drops of lemon to you, and can also add some lavender oil. Apply it to your scalp and leave for 4-5 hours and rinse it off after that.

Apple Cider Vinegar

It is believed to cleanse the scalp and maintain the perfect pH balance, which in turn boosts hair growth. What you need is diluted apple cider vinegar by adding 15 ml of it to a glass of water. After you wash your hair with shampoo, use this mix for the final rinse. This will not only help with hair growth but will also give shine to your locks.

Eggs

These are rich in protein, as well as other nutrients such as zinc, potassium, sodium, and iodine. Eggs are widely used for hair across the world. To make a hair mask, take two eggs and separate egg whites. Add a teaspoon of olive oil and some honey to it. Mix well to make a paste. Apply it to your hair and scalp and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse it off with water.

Amla

Indian gooseberry, or amla, is another natural ingredient widely used for hair. To make a mask, take two tablespoons of amla powder and add some lemon juice to it to make a fine paste. Apply it to your hair and let it dry. After that rinse it off with water and pat dry.

Foods For Hair

No matter how many expensive products you use, or treatments you go for, if your body lacks certain nutrients, it will eventually show in hair, in the form of hair loss. This is because not just outside, your hair needs nourishment from inside for healthy and strong hair. So, here are some foods that you should include in your diet for healthy hair:

• Eggs
• Spinach
• Avocado
• Sweet potatoes
• Berries
• Guava
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Beans
• Cinnamon
• Soy
• Fatty fish
• Yogurt

Tips To Boost Hair Growth

Now that we have gone through home remedies for hair growth as well as foods that make your hair healthy, here are some tips to boost hair growth:

Restrictive Dieting Is Bad For Hair Health

Hair fall and slowed growth can have several causes, many of which are out of our control. However, one such thing that we can control is diet. When you restrict your diet extensively, it affects your hair health, leading to hair fall and slow hair growth. Also, when starved of nutrients, your body channels those for crucial bodily functions and restricts them for your hair. Hence, make sure you have a well-balanced diet with different food groups, nutrients, and minerals on your plate. 

Caffeine

This chemical, which is known for giving that kick of energy, can also promote hair growth, as per a 2014 study. So you can include caffeine-infused products for promoting hair growth.

Avoid Heat

Appliances such as hair dryers, straighteners, and curlers damage the hair and lead to hair fall. Although doing away with them altogether might not be an option, you can try limiting their use to protect your hair from damage.

Hair Colour

As with the abovementioned heating appliances, the same goes with hair colours, which are loaded with chemicals that damages your hair. So limit using them as much as you can.

Yoga For Hair

Yes, you read that right. Yoga, which is known for making the body more flexible, strong, and toned, can make your hair healthy too. Here are some Yoga poses, or asanas, that are known for preventing hair fall and making them healthy:

Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana)

In this pose, you bend forward with your head hanging heavy, which boosts blood circulation to the scalp, helping with hair growth.

• To do this pose, stand tall with your legs hips-distance apart, and your hands to your sides.
• Gently bend forward from your waist and bring your hands to the growth.
• Stay in this pose for a few breaths and then gently rise up.

Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Shvanasana)

• This is an inverted pose that increases blood circulation in the scalp, thus nourishing the hair.
• For this pose, come in your all fours with your palms under your shoulders and knees under your hips.
• Stretch your arms a couple of inches forward, tuck your toes and gently rise with your tailbone reaching towards the ceiling.
• Stay in this pose for a couple of breaths and gently breathe.

Wide-Legged Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana)

• This is yet another forward bend that increases blood circulation in the scalp.
• To do this, stand tall while spreading your legs as far as possible.
• Your feet should be parallel to the edges of the mat.
• Gently fold as much as you can by bringing your hands down on the floor. Take a few breaths in this pose.

Hair fall can have many reasons, so are the remedies to stop it. Similarly, you can aid hair growth by taking certain precautions and following certain rules, given that you don’t have a health issue. Have a healthy diet and exercise regularly for optimal health, of both the body and the hair. 

References

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/18-causes

https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga/health-and-wellness/yoga-for-hair-loss

https://www.hairscientists.org/hair-and-scalp-conditions/nutrition-and-hair-health

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0915/p371.html