Archive for the ‘Hair Problems’ Category

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Baby Hair Loss

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Baby Hair Growth

Baby hair loss is a common occurrence which happens during the first six months of the baby’s life. The two stages of hair growth are the growing stage and the resting stage. After the resting stage, the hair falls out. In baby hair growth, the hair follicles reach the resting stage simultaneously. This is the same process that occurs in the mother as well after she gives birth. This type of slow baldness occurs on account of hormonal changes.

Hair Loss in Babies

Before childbirth, there is a high level of hormones in the baby’s body due to the hormonal changes taking place in the mother. Once the baby is born, the hormonal levels reduce and the baby starts losing hair. Hair loss in babies may also occur in the form of bald patches due to sleeping in one position. The friction of the head with the mattress or pillow can cause the delicate hair to fall out. Such hair loss subsides in time. In many cases, babies are born with heads full of dark hair and then a few months later, patches of hair start falling out. The new hair that grows back is often of a different color and texture.

There is nothing one can do about baby hair loss. It is a practice in some culture to shave the head of the baby after a year as it is believed that this will stimulate good hair growth. However this may not always be the case. In case you notice that your baby has been sleeping in only position for long periods of time, you can try turning him over to the other side. Some mothers give their babies oil massages to prevent hair loss. This may not be effective during the first six months of life as the hair follicles will have to pass through the resting phase. Baby hair also does not need any special treatment other than cleaning with baby shampoo whenever required. If baby hair loss becomes excessive, it is important to consult a pediatrician. It could be indicative of iron deficiencies or medical conditions such as alopecia areata. Many children experience healthy hair growth after some time, but some may need medical treatment to stimulate hair growth. In most cases, baby hair loss will be normal but it is still better to have your baby examined by the doctor. Sometimes ringworm may develop on the baby’s scalp and for this anti-fungal treatment is required.

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How To Avoid Hair Loss?

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Causes of Hair Loss

There are various causes of hair loss. Hormonal changes and hereditary factors are usually responsible for hair loss in men. Male hair loss can also occur due to excessive intake of alcohol and smoking. Women, too, may suffer from hair loss due to hormonal imbalances. Some other causes of hair loss in women include vitamin efficiencies, thyroid problems and excessive use of chemical hair treatments and styling products. Excessive stress is often the cause of hair loss in men and women. Now that we are aware of some of the causes of hair loss, let us understand how to avoid hair loss.

Tips and Foods To Avoid Hair Loss

Given below are some helpful tips to avoid hair loss.

The health of the hair is largely dependent on the nourishment that out bodies receive. Hence the daily diet plays a vital role in hair growth. Brittleness, dullness, dryness and falling of the hair may all occur due to nutritional deficiencies. The hair follicles require nutrition and this can only come from the foods we eat. The hair is primarily composed of keratin which is a type of protein. Therefore inclusion of protein in the diet is essential. Vitamins and calcium are also important for strength of the hair. Important vitamins for hair growth include vitamins A, B complex, C and E. Some foods to avoid hair loss which are rich in vitamins include dark green leafy vegetables, fish, tomatoes, almonds, eggs and yogurt. An adequate intake of water is also important in order to avoid hair loss. A minimum of 8 glasses of water must be consumed daily so that the skin and scalp stay hydrated. Proper rest and sleep is another essential requirement for good hair growth. Since stress has a definite negative effect on the health, one must learn to combat stressful thoughts and feelings. This can be achieved through relaxation and meditative exercises.

Many people experience relief from hair loss through alternative therapies such as aromatherapy. Scalp massages are known to improve blood flow in the scalp and hence maximize the amount of nutrition that the hair follicles receive. Essential oils such as lavender and jojoba oil work well in preventing hair loss. Good hair care goes a long way in keeping the hair healthy. One should avoid using hair care products that contain harsh chemicals. Milder herbal remedies are gentler and more beneficial for the scalp and hair. In case of excessive hair loss, it is also advisable to consult a doctor.

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Types of Hair Loss in Men and Women

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

Hair constitutes an important factor in defining our looks. Hair loss can have a big social impact due to its vital link to looks. Baldness when caused by illness rather than genes can be quite upsetting. Hair loss and balding seems to be common in men more than in women but women are also known to be affected by the problem as they have different causes of balding.

Types of Hair loss in Men

There are different types of hair loss, especially in men. One of the main types of hair loss in men is genetic where people often lose hair as the condition has been passed down through the generations. Another type of hair loss is called alopecia which is an auto-immune condition where the patient loses hair. This can affect patients at any time in their lives and affects men as well as women. Hair loss due to extreme stress is called telogen effluvium. This type of hair loss can be avoided with the help of certain stress reduction exercises. Sometimes malfunction of different hormonal glands in the body can also lead to telogen effluvium and a sign of this is when the hair loss happens continually. If it has happened due to one stressful event, it will not be a continual loss.

Chemotherapy is another cause for baldness. This treatment for cancer usually results in a lot of hair loss. But unlike other forms of baldness, once the treatment stops, the hair does grow back. In other forms of baldness, unless the hair loss is stopped, no remedy for hair growth really takes effect.

Most diseases manifest in the form of hair loss, acute or peripheral, depending on the severity of the disease. Other than glands malfunction, other diseases that can cause hair loss are scleroderma, a form of syphilis and ringworm.

Types of Hair loss in Women

Constant pulling and plucking of hair is also a cause for baldness. The condition is called trichotillomania and is largely found in women. Incessant pulling or plucking unaware especially due to stress, troubled relationships or even anger, frustration or loneliness, can cause this. This condition happens only when the person repeats this behavior constantly, without interruption, causing wear and tear on the hair shaft and eventually leading to baldness. This pulling and plucking can also lead to lesions forming on the scalp.

The other types of hair loss in women include losing hair due to imbalances in the body. Some causes are child birth or terminating pregnancies, regularizing birth control pills, dieting and emotional stress. Most of these imbalances cause reduced hormones in the body, all of which lead to hair loss and baldness. Excessive treatment on the hair, including bleaching, coloring and other chemical treatments can cause self-inflicted baldness.

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Hair Loss in Teenagers

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

Hair loss problems are often a concern for adults, especially middle age adults. Although it does occur much earlier in men than in women, hair loss in teenagers is rather rare. While the causes of hair loss in teenagers could be many, hair loss in teenagers is often a sign of a more serious problem. It is best to consult a doctor for a checkup as soon as it is possible to do so.

Causes of Hair Loss in Teenagers

Generally one of the main causes of hair loss in teenagers is insufficient dietary nutrition. If your teen has developed an eating disorder and their dietary requirements are not being met, then this can eventually cause hair loss. Crash dieting in order to lose weight can cause malnutrition leading to such a condition. Another cause of hair loss in teenagers is hair stress. Trying a hairstyle like cornrows or tight braids puts undue stress on your hair. Subjecting your hair to such stress for long periods of time will lead to damage to the hair. The hair shaft, which is rather delicate, is quite susceptible to damage in this fashion, causing hair loss in teenagers. Also, some medical treatments like chemotherapy, cause hair loss. Another cause for hair loss in teenagers is stress. A lot of emotional stress cause a condition known as Telogen effluvium wherein the normal hair cycle is affected, resulting in hair loss.

How to Prevent Hair loss in Teenagers

Hereditary factors too, can cause hair loss in teenagers. Here are some useful tips on how to prevent hair loss in teenagers:

• Ensure that your hair style does not put stress on your hair. Styling your hair properly can prevent hair loss. Instead of using a flat iron to style your hair immediately after a shower, use it after you have towel-dried your hair first. When your hair is wet and weak, the styling can cause it to stretch and break. Reduce the use of heated styling tools on your hair and give your hair a chance to recover from such stress every few days.

• Whilst it is important to keep your hair and scalp clean, excessive shampooing can cause hair loss in teenagers. The hair can lose its natural moisture and become vulnerable to breakage due to too much shampooing. It is often better to shampoo your hair on alternate days as compared to daily. Always use a good conditioner to ensure stronger hair.

• If the cause for hair fall is found to be malnourishment, then it is advisable to increase your vitamin intake. Vitamin B6, also known as Biotin, helps increase hair strength and also helps hair growth.

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How To Stop Hair Loss in Women

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

Hair forms an important part of the human body, especially because like the skin, it is very visible. Any harm or damage to it is instantly noticed. Therefore, in many people, especially women, baldness or loss of hair can cause depression and a negative body image.

As hair is the second fastest growing tissue in the body, a loss of 50-100 strands everyday is normal. But if the quantum of hair is more than that, it can be emotionally devastating. Hair loss is very common in women too. Let’s look at ways on how to stop hair loss in women.

How To Prevent Hair Loss in Women

There are many factors that can cause unnatural hair loss. Drugs or any external abuse to the body can cause acute and rapid hair fall. Nutritional deficiencies especially caused by fad diets, change in hormonal profiles during pregnancy or menopause, treatments like cancer, all could cause acute hair loss in people.

Different remedies can prevent hair loss in women. There are some precautionary measures you can take to stop or reduce hair fall. Avoid too many chemical processes for your hair to retain its healthy texture. Massage your scalp, with or without oil. This is beneficial to hair follicles which in turn increases blood flow to the scalp and promotes hair growth. Another good habit is not to always tie your hair up, especially in tight, constricting styles.

You can also take vitamins to stop hair loss in women. But before you decide to take pills, do check with your doctor. Vitamin B increases the production of keratin which benefits the scalp and the hair. It can be had through food like salmon, yogurt and eggs. Folic acid, a part of the B12 family of vitamins, is also very important for good hair. It plays a big role in pregnant women who tend to lose a lot of their hair after delivering the baby. Having folic acid can prevent this. Vitamin A is also good for hair as it necessary for the production of sebum. Sebum keeps the scalp moist. Vitamin A can be found in meat, dairy, eggs, spinach, carrots and broccoli.

Natural Remedies for Hair Loss in Women

You can even use natural remedies like those in aromatherapy. Certain oils like lavender and juniper berry, when massaged into the scalp, help reduce hair flow. These are some the remedies for hair loss in women that can be tried at home. You can try making a homemade shampoo of curd, lemon juice and gram powder. You can even condition hair with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water.

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