Dealing with Falling Hair
Hair, like human beings, has a life-cycle. Every hair that grows must fall out
one day. New hair will grow at the same place, after some time.
There is a natural balance between the rate at which hair falls and the rate at
which new hair grows. Any disturbance in this balance can result in an emotionally
discomforting condition of either an excess fallout of hair or hairiness all over the
body.
Now-a-days, excess loss of hair is very common. It happens for various reasons such as emotional
and physical stress of city life, local scalp infection, adverse drug reaction,
hormonal imbalances during teenage and pregnancy, etc.
Factors that determine hair loss
Over the past several years, dermatologists have made some interesting statistical findings
that explain the pattern of hair loss. Curiously enough, the phenomenon of falling
hair is provenly related to the rate of hair growth, length of the hair, age and even the
color of hair.
It is normal to shed from 50 to 80 strands of hair a day. It is normal for each of those hair to be
replaced by the hard-working follicles. On any given day, about 90% hair are in the growing stage. This
period lasts for about 1000 days. 10% hair are in the resting stage which lasts for about 100 days
before the follicles eventually grow out.
Interestingly, the fall-out occurs mostly in the morning. This fact remains
unexplained.
The length of hair is an important factor in hair loss. The four-inch long hair,
loses on an average 87 hairs a day; the 12-inch long hair loses about 26 hairs a day;
and 20-inch plus long hair loses as little as 16 hairs a day on an average. The longer the hair,
the less is the hair loss.
Hair grows on an average of 6 inches a year, and shortfall in the normal hair growth is accompanied with a hair
loss too. Apart from the day-to-day loss, we shed more than usual hair during six periods of our life; from
birth to age three; at ten, at twenty-two, around the age of twenty-six, at thirty-six and around
fifty-four. This happens due to hormonal changes that occur in our bodies during these periods of our lives.
The maximum hair growth on women occurs between the age of fifteen to thirty.
Causes for excess fall of hair
Technically, an unnatural excess fall out of hair, temporary or permanent, is called Alopecia and is caused for
following reasons:
Heriditary
The kind of hair we have whether it is thick, thin, fine, sparse, straight or
curly - depends a great deal on the genes inherited. The problems concerning hair loss are also
passed on from the parents to the offspring. Diabetes and thyroid disorders are two
real threats to healthy hair. Falling hair are also often directly inherited.
Trauma
The result of physical stress on the hair is called Traction Alopecia. This can be
caused by tying up the hair in too tight chignon style, ponytails, or pigtails. The
prolonged and continuing pull-like pressure on the hair can result in spot baldness.
Spot baldness is also caused due to trauma or sudden shock experienced. A severe blow to the head
may lead to spot baldness where the blow is received.
Local Scalp Infection
Bacterial, viral or fungal infections can cause spot fall out of hair. It can,
however, be treated with medicated shampoos and lotions.
Diseases
Internal disorders and infections which cause high fever such as flu, pneumonia and typhoid are
often accompanied by excessive hair loss.
Chemicals or Drugs
Antibiotics and a durg called Cortizone administered sometimes in treating acne and
scars lead to hair loss. Chemical therapies given in serious diseases such as cancer, cause
the excess fall out of hair.
Emotional or Environmental Stress
People unable to cope with pressures of life, all the time worrying about the problems at work place or
home, having most of their emotional conflicts unresolved, are easy victims of excess hair loss.
With the tension in their minds, the muscles in the scalp and neck constrict. The
blood circulation is thereby impeded, resulting in the suffocation of the hair follicles.
To prevent the consequential excess hair loss, massage to loosen up the scalp is an excellent remedy.
Hormonal Imbalances and Hair Loss
Hormonal imbalances are the primary cause of most serious hair loss conditions. Pregnancy,
contraception with birth control pills and menopause are the common conditions
that induce hormonal changes.
Pregnancy
Generally, the hair condition improves during pregnancy as the endocrine glands
function at their peak.
The hair loss occurs only after the birth of the baby. This happens due to irregularity in the
functioning of thyroid glands. It can be attributed to the change in the life style - the new unaccustomed life with the
baby.
The normal hair loss after delivery happens four months after birth and continues for about two months.
Birth Control Pills
If a woman in perfect health with normal weight, having regular periods, eating sensibly and
physically active, uses the pill for contraceptive reasons, she can expect
the problem of hair loss. Taking the pill can alter her perfect hormonal balance.
In contrast if, however, a woman who is already suffering from hormonal imbalance takes the pill,
it can restore the balance and promote hair growth.
Menopause
One of the problems of menopause is that the production of the female hormone
estrogen slows down. This results in weak, dry hair and an excess fall out in one
out of two women.
How to Prevent Excess Fall Out of Hair
Hair in normal and healthy conditions does not fall out at an alarming rate.
The excess fall out occurs mostly when the hair condition is extremely dry, rough and
damaged.
Conditioning and nourishing of hair are the top priorities to prevent excess hair loss.
Cream rinses help the dry and rough hair to regain its flexibility. Generous application
of moisturisers and oil preparations replenish the moisture and oil in the dry hair.
Massage is a very important element of the scalp treatment to control excess fall out of hair.
It invigorates the blood circulation, giving hair an increased supply of nutrition and oxygen for
healthy growth. Massage also stimulates the dormant hair follicles to grow fresh hair.
The Home-made Cosmetic Care
Try these age-old treatments.
The Hair Rejuvenating Ointment
Powder 10 gms each of lime seeds and black pepper. Make a fine paste in
plain water or if possible in ginger juice. Apply this paste on the head every night. Leave it on for at least
a couple of hours. Then rinse it out. Massage your scalp with your finger
tips for five minutes while applying the paste.
(Note: Application of the above paste may irritate your scalp. If you have sensitive skin, reduce the quantity of the ingredients.)
The Magic Treatment for Spot Baldness
- Make a paste with a few small sticks of Mulathi in milk cream. Add a little
saffron and apply it on the bald patches at night. Rinse it out with clear water
in the morning. If possible, mix some ground Dhatura seeds in the paste. It
increases the potency of the treatment. Massage your bald scalp spot generously with your finger tips
for five minutes while applying the ointment.
The Wonderful Oil Massage
- Castor oil is excellent for hair re-growth. If combined with white iodine which is available at the
chemist shop, it can produce the desired results.
- Part your hair in small sections and apply the oil to the scalp with cotton. Massage it in
with your finger tips. If you are able to get white iodine solution, use
it similarly on every alternate day.
- Squeeze the milk out of 1/2 a coconut, add the juice of half a lime and massage into
the scalp. Leave on for 4 - 6 hours. Wash with a mild shampoo or crushed Hibiscus leaves mixed with a
tablespoon of crushed fenugreek seeds and made into a paste.
Do's and Don'ts
- In case of baldness due to fungal, viral or bacterial infections, consult a
dermatalogist.
- Use a soft brush with well-spaced bristles.
- Sanitise your implements, i.e. brushes, combs, etc. atleast once a week.
Take iron tablets in case you are anaemic.
- Improve the protein content of your diet.
- Take birth control pills with a prescription.
The most important aspect of any treatment is the correct diagnosis. Unless
it is well determined by observing the physical characteristics and studying the other causes
for hair loss, the treatments given may not work efficaciously. It is advisable to seek
professional help in cases of severe hair loss.
