It is part of the hair growth cycle. The 10% of our hair which is in a resting phase would fall out every 2 or 3 months with 90% of the hair in a growth phase. Thinning of hair gets noticed when the loss is over the normal shedding limits. Reasons for this are many including: Hair loss can be due to several factors including: There are more than one reason for hair loss. Alopecia areata – Affects both males and females; hair loss is rapid and the most common pattern is one or more spots of hair loss on the scalp. When there is a mal-function of the immune system the intrinsic white cells attack the hair follicles and result in this ailment. Alopecia Totalis happens with complete loss of scalp hair. When all the body hair is lost it is called Alopecia Universalis, a rare condition.
Genetic factors: This can cause male pattern baldness which affects nearly 25% of men by age 30. Not just genetic, the male hormone testosterone could also play a role. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced with the conversion of testosterone which either hampers or stops growth and produces weak and short hair. Men who do not have testosterone do not get male pattern baldness.
Skin diseases – Skin diseases can affect the scalp and cause hair loss. The particular skin conditions which cause hair loss include: dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp fungus such as ringworm and tinea captis.
Sudden illness or fever: this could also cause massive hair loss. This is a temporary condition.
Childbirth, menopause, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and aging could also be the other reasons for hair loss. There are other reasons for hair loss over and above these main ones.
Hair loss can be treated when you can stop hair fall and promote re-growth. Some of the natural means for hair loss treatment include:
1. Incorporating Vitamins A, B, C and E is essential for good hair growth. These vitamins help to provide sebum, good blood circulation to the scalp by increasing oxygen absorption and collagen.
2. Scalp care: Use herbal oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, amla oil for regular massaging of the scalp. In conditions of alopecia areata, several oils are proven to be beneficial.
3. Scalp abuse: Chemical shampoos and blow drying are to be avoided. Chemical treatments like coloring as well as straightening damage hair and scalp. Daily hair wash with hot water depletes hair of natural oil and turn break-prone.
4. Herbal care – Use herbal powders such as amla, shikakai, henna and ritha to shampoo and condition hair. It is also excellent in preventing graying and hair loss. Shikakai also known as Fruit for the hair has a natural low pH and is great as a shampoo because it cleanses without removing natural hair oils. Henna then acts as a natural conditioner.
5. Lifestyle changes: This involves doing some stress management by doing exercises and meditation, as stress causes hair loss. Smoking is bad for the scalp: This is because the nicotine from cigarettes restricts blood flow to the scalp by constricting the relevant blood vessels. To avoid damage to the scalp avoid UV rays from sun exposure.

