Archive for July, 2009

Children hair loss – how to prevent hair loss in children

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Causes of Hair Loss in Children

Hair loss in children is caused due to ailments like typhoid, malaria, influenza and diarrhea. Nutritional deficiencies, especially of nutrients like vitamin B6 and folic acids, may also be responsible for hair loss in children. Fungal and bacterial infections and attacks of lice are also other common causes of hair loss.

Hair Loss Prevention

There are several easy measures that you may follow at home to prevent hair loss in children. You could crush a handful of margosa leaves and apply the juice on the scalp gently. Following this remedy daily kills’ germs and lice and prevents hair loss. Another remedy is to grind a few lime seeds with some black pepper, then add a little water to this mixture and apply this paste to the roots of the child’s hair. This improves blood circulation in the scalp and promotes hair growth. If the child is losing hair in patches, grind a few pieces of licorice in some milk, add a pinch of saffron to this mixture and massage the affected area with this paste. Following this procedure every night at bedtime is highly effective in stimulating hair growth. You could also warm a little coconut oil on a low flame and massage the child’s hair with this every day to promote hair growth.

For another remedy, grind a few pigeon peas or red gram, which have been soaked in a cup of water for an hour, and apply this paste on the child’s scalp regularly to treat hair loss. Rubbing a slice of onion on the scalp is helpful in killing fungi and bacteria, and stimulates the cells at the roots of the hair. The pungent juice of onion is a natural disinfecting agent and may cause a slight burning sensation, in which case you may follow it up with a gentle massage with some honey. Massaging the scalp with the juice of fresh coriander leaves is also a remedy for hair loss. You may also grind a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds and half a cup black gram in a cup of curd and apply this on the child’s hair and scalp. Leave it on for a couple of years and then wash it away with water. Also, 15 minutes before bathing the child, you may apply a mixture of warm olive oil, a tablespoon of honey and a teaspoon of cinnamon powder on her hair. This should produce a marked reduction in hair loss within a couple of weeks.

How to Prevent Hair Loss during Chemotherapy

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Chemotherapy Hair Loss

Chemotherapy involves the injection of a variety of chemicals called serotoxins into the body for treating cancer. This often has the inevitable side effect of causing severe to hair loss, as the body undergoes massive hormonal and biochemical readjustments in response to these medicines. The rate and the pattern of hair loss may however vary from patient to patient. In a few extreme cases, chemotherapy may cause even the eyebrows and eyelashes to fall off. Yet, it is important to remember that the condition is only temporary, and once the treatment is over, hair starts growing back naturally.

Remedies to Prevent Hair Loss during Chemotherapy

In the meantime, however, you may follow a few simple home remedies to check the rate and extent of hair loss during chemotherapy. It is essential that in spite of the physical and emotional pain that cancer treatment often involves, you should try not to allow stress and anxiety overcome you, as they only aggravate the problem and increase the rate at which you lose hair. It is also advisable that you prepare yourself for the situation well in advance and opt for a short hairstyle before undergoing chemotherapy. This not only makes the loss of hair less noticeable, but also arrests the rate of hair loss in the initial stages of the treatment.

Moreover, you should always massage your scalp with your fingertips after washing your hair. This improves blood circulation in the scalp and stimulates the hair follicles and sebaceous glands, and thereby checks hair loss. Every night, massage the roots of your hair with castor oil, as this is known to make the roots of hair stronger and promote hair growth. You must consult your doctor before trying out any of the following remedies suggested here. You may also boil a handful of Indian gooseberries in a liter of coconut oil and collect the liquid extract. Use this oil to massage your scalp and hair regularly. A mixture of equal portions of the juice of Indian gooseberries and lime juice may also be used for washing the hair and preventing hair loss.

After consulting your doctor, you could drink a glass of spinach and lettuce juices mixed together every morning. You may also add alfalfa juice to this mixture and consume this decoction regularly in order to reduce the extent of hair loss. In addition, grind small pieces of coconut finely and then boil them in a pan of water; then collect the milky substance and massage your scalp with it, to promote hair growth.

How to Get Rid of Greasy Hair Naturally | Greasy Hair Solutions

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Causes of Greasy Hair

The natural hair type of a person is determined by the amount of sebum secreted by the glands that lie at the roots of the hair beneath the scalp. The finer your hair is, the greater the number of sebaceous glands per square inch of your scalp, and consequently the higher the chances of your hair being oily. Sometimes, sudden hormonal changes occurring in the body due to the onset of puberty or during pregnancy may also stimulate excessive production of sebum and cause your hair to become greasy. The condition is worsened by a hot and humid weather, especially if you do not take care to keep off dust, dirt and sweat from your hair and scalp.

Home Remedies for Preventing Greasy Hair

The most effective and important means of preventing hair from looking greasy is to follow a regular shampooing and conditioning regime. However, you should not overdo it, as this might cause your scalp to become dry and your hair dull. An effective way of getting rid of greasy hair is to mix some sodium bicarbonate in your normal shampoo and use this to wash your hair. You should let this solution soak in your hair for 5 minutes before rinsing it away with water. You may also use a little aloe vera juice or the juice of a fresh lime after shampooing your hair and before the final water rinse. This will make your hair look shiny without making it greasy.

If you have long hair, you should comb it very gently, so that the sebum does not spread down to the tips of your hair too quickly and consequently make it look limp and greasy. You should also comb your hair in the direction opposite to that of its natural growth, as this prevents the sebum from spreading across the hair shaft too fast. You may also add the juice of two lemons or two tablespoons of vinegar in four cups of distilled water and rinse your hair with this solution in order to make it look less greasy. Alternatively, you could also use a mixture of equal portions of apple cider vinegar and water to rinse your hair after shampooing. This absorbs the excess sebum from the scalp and gives your hair a natural bounce. For another remedy, mix some mouthwash and witch hazel in equal quantities and use this to rinse your hair every time you wash it. This works as a natural astringent and antiseptic and prevents your hair from becoming too oily.

Itchy,Flaky Scalp – Causes and Remedies for Itchy Flakey Scalp

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Itchy Flaky Scalp Causes

Itchiness and flaking of the scalp is caused by dryness. If you have a naturally dry scalp, you are at greater risk of suffering from this problem. The condition is aggravated by exposure to intense heat or direct sunlight, dry weather and contact with harsh chemicals present in many commercially available hair coloring and styling products. The feeling of itchiness also increases if you do not maintain personal hygiene. The most common symptom of a dry scalp is dandruff, which are nothing but tiny parts of the outer layer of the scalp that breaks up into flakes.

Home Remedies for Itchy Flaky Scalp

There are quite a few simple home remedies that you may follow to avoid and treat this problem. One of the most effective measures that you should follow to prevent your scalp from becoming itchy and flaky is to always keep your head clean. Regular shampooing and conditioning, depending on your hair type, should ensure that your scalp is never dirty or dry. You should also oil your hair regularly. A mixture of natural oils like lavender, olive and eucalyptus oils is highly effective in moisturizing the scalp and relieving itchiness.For another remedy, grind half a cup of juniper berries in two cups of hot boiled water and allow the mixture to cool down; then apply it all over the scalp. This brings instant relief from inflammation and itchiness and prevents the scalp from flaking.

Another useful remedy in this regard is chamomile tea, which is made by boiling chamomile leaves in a cup of water and collecting the clear solution in a container. Dab the itchy portions of the scalp with this extract to heal damaged and broken skin and get rid of irritation and itchiness. You could also use jojoba, rosemary or tea tree oil to massage your scalp every alternate night in order to moisturize and heal the dry, damaged skin of your scalp. You could also rub a piece on fresh lemon on your scalp every day in order to prevent your scalp from getting too dry, as well as to treat any bacterial or fungal growth on the scalp. A solution made by mixing equal quantities of vinegar and distilled water is also known to help relieve itchiness of the scalp. You should rinse your hair thoroughly with water and then apply this solution all over your scalp and leave it on for a few minutes. Once the solution has soaked through the scalp, you should wash your hair with water again.

What causes Bald Spots on Head - How to Grow hair on Bald Head

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Bald Spots Causes

Bald spots may appear on the head due to prolonged illnesses like jaundice and typhoid, hormonal imbalances, thyroid malfunctioning, nutritional imbalances and bacterial infections on the scalp. Women may also lose substantial amounts of hair in patches after giving birth. The propensity to lose hair and suffer from baldness is also known to be hereditary in nature, and it affects men more acutely than women.

Home Remedies for Treating Bald Spots

There are a few home remedies that you might find useful for treating bald spots and patches on your scalp. One of the easiest ways of stimulating hair growth is to oil your scalp and hair every alternate day and run your fingers over your head in circular motions. This activates the hair follicles and sebaceous glands beneath the scalp, improves blood circulation and triggers the growth of hair in bald patches. Mix curd and camphor in equal proportions and let this mixture settle before applying this mixture on the affected areas, and leave it on for a couple of hours. Then wash your head with lukewarm water. You could also make a hair pack by mixing honey and egg yolk, and massage the scalp with this paste. After an hour or so, wash your hair with water. Honey and onion juice mixed together also form an effective remedy for treating baldness.

For another remedy, mix two tablespoons each of olive oil and honey and add to this a tablespoon of cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the bald patches and leave it on for half and hour before washing your hair with water. Lemon is also known to be beneficial in re-growing hair in bald patches. Slice a fresh lemon into half and rub the affected areas with a juicy piece for about 5 minutes. Repeat this process with the other piece as well. Following this procedure daily encourages hair growth in bald patches within a few weeks. Alternatively, you could also dry out lemon seeds in the sun and then grind them to a powder, add some black pepper and a little water to it and massage your scalp with this thick paste every alternate day. This is an effective remedy for getting rid of bald patches. You could also soak a handful of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water overnight and crush them the next morning and collect the extract. Use this extract to massage your scalp. This stimulates hair growth in bald patches.