Using the right comb, cutting down on stress levels and eating healthy are some of the ways to get healthy hair and stop hair fall.
If you are afflicted with a receding hairline or happen to see strands falling off with every scalp massage, it’s time you tackled your hair loss problem head on.
Hair loss, also called alopecia, is more common among men than women. Although it occurs with increasing age, hair loss has become common among the youth as well these days.
“Some reasons for hair loss are an unhealthy lifestyle and deficiency of essential nutrients. While it can be genetic, other factors include certain medical conditions and medication, emotional trauma, stress, protein deprivation (during strict dieting), scalp infections and hormonal changes during pregnancy, puberty and menopause. Overuse of styling products can also lead to this problem,” says Dr Vinay Singh, a Delhi-based dermatologist associated with the medical app, Lybrate.
A combination of lifestyle changes and natural remedies can help prevent hair loss. Here are a few tips:
Eat healthy
“Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, and most importantly, water. Avoid fatty foods and fizzy drinks, and cut down on your intake of carbs too. A protein-rich diet is essential for increased hair growth. While you are at it, cut back on smoking and caffeine too,” says Dr Rajat Kandari, a dermatologist from Delhi.
Fight stress
It is important to practice relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation. A calm mind gives rise to a healthier body and scalp. Yoga can do wonders in bringing the mind, body and soul together. Practising yoga improves blood circulation, which helps in hair maintenance, and prevents hairfall. Anulom vilom, kapalbhati and surya namaskar are some yoga exercises that should help.
Choose the right comb
A wide-toothed comb is ideal for prevention of hair loss. Cheap combs might be easy on your pocket, but as they are usually made of plastic mould, they could cause strands to get snagged between their teeth – breaking them in the process. Extra wide tooth combs are a sensible choice for handling wet hair and providing a pain-free detangle.
Avoid over styling
“Don’t use too many chemical products on your hair. Use hair dryers sparingly and towel-dry your hair as far as possible. Do not use towels vigorously as this can lead to breakage. Avoid hairstyles like tight ponytails, pigtails or braids daily. Using elastic bands to pull back hair tightly can also cause hair fall,” advises Dr Kandari.
Medical treatment
In case there is thinning or excessive hair-fall, medical treatment from a certified dermatologist would become necessary. Treatments include topical solutions such as minoxidil, peptides and oral supplementation of biotin. Procedural treatment such as platelet rich plasma, stem cells and hit transplant can help in severe cases.
