Some women experience a period of thinning hair after pregnancy, when they have hormone deficiencies, or have long periods of stress in their lives. You may be suffering from androgenic alopecia, in which case you have a genetic predisposition to thinning hair that is triggered by hormones and the aging process. Learn how to prevent premature hair loss, stop hair loss and regrow hair.
1. The strands you do have should be handled with care. Avoid shampoos with detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate and cocamide DEA, which dry the scalp and hair. Instead, choose products with gentler cleansers, such as castile (made from olive oil) and decyl polyglucose (derived from corn). Other good ingredients to look for in products include the nourishing botanicals jojoba, rosemary, nettle, horsetail, sage and chamomile.
2. When you don't eat enough food or avoid the necessary vitamins, your hair will lose the nutrients that make it strong and beautiful. If you wear tight hair styles such as braids or ponytails all the time, you can actually develop traction alopecia, where the hair is constantly pulled until the hair falls out.
3. On the pharmaceutical side, we now have many options for preventing and stopping hair loss. Compounds such as Finasteride are often helpful. This anti-androgen drug finds application in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Scientists have discovered that it is also useful in preventing hair loss in males. The vasodilator Minoxidil has the fascinating side effect of reversing hair loss and even promoting hair growth. It is one of the biggest discoveries in the area of hair loss prevention in recent times. Applied topically for periods of over a month, Minoxidil rejuvenates hair follicles. Though experts are unsure of the exact action, they believe that Minoxidil increases blood flow to the affected areas and stimulates hair cell growth.
4. Stress is a leading factor for non-genetic hair loss in both men and women. When people are under severe physical or emotional stress, they often experience hair loss. Therefore, make an effort to reduce stress in your life. This might be by meditating, exercising, or simply cutting back on your work schedule and taking more time for yourself. This is one of the best hair loss treatment.
5. To keep from doing further damage, opt for an easy-to-maintain hairstyle (but no ponytails), limit shampooing to two or three times a week, blot hair dry with a super-absorbent towel, detangle with a wide-tooth wooden comb and avoid blow-drying. If you need to use styling products, go for sprays or gels with natural ingredients, such as flaxseed or guar gum, instead of with high isopropyl and ethyl alcohol contents. Consider installing a shower filter to reduce chlorine, which dries the hair and scalp. And definitely forgo curling irons, hot rollers, dyes and perms.
6. Hair loss prevention is also achievable through the herbal route, though these systems have not seen sufficient study. The Chinese, for instance, use a herbal compound called Polygonum Multiflorum to prevent and reverse hair loss. Certain hair oils and tonics containing Resveratrol can also be beneficial to some patients suffering from hair loss.
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