Natural Hair Loss Treatments

Hair loss is caused by certain key elements which include stress, hormonal changes, thyroid abnormalities and an unbalanced diet; all which can be addressed with natural herbal remedies.

However, some methods that have been used work on some people. Here are some suggestions for natural remedies to hair loss.

Massage

Massaging the scalp in general for a couple of minutes a day can stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles and in mild cases stimulate some hair growth in minor cases of temporary hair loss.

There are several electric massagers on the market that have an attachment for scalp massaging as well. An oriental method called Qi Gong (pronounced Chi Kung) has been used to increase circulation to the scalp and face also.

Aromatherapy

A blend of six drops each of lavender and bay essential oils in a base of four ounces of either almond, soybean or sesame oil massaged into the scalp and allowed to sit for 20 minutes has been used by aroma therapists to stimulate the scalp.

Saw Palmetto Extract

There is a definite connection between the prostate and hair loss for men. Saw Palmetto has been found to work in fighting benign prostatic disease by lowering levels of DHT, which is a known cause of androgenetic alopecia.

Saw Palmetto extract is an effective anti-androgen and shows promise as an effective treatment for hair loss prevention. More information on Saw Palmetto for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Hair Loss Drug Distributed

Hair Loss Drug Distributed

Propecia finasteride is one of the most prescribed hair loss drug distributed for male pattern baldness which is one of the most common causes of male hair loss. Developed by Merck pharmaceuticals, Propecia was approved by the US FDA in 1997 as a prescription only treatment for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).

About Propecia finasteride and how does it work?

Propecia finasteride is found to be effective in 90% of men who have tried the treatment. The drug not only helps to prevent further hair loss but also stimulates the growth of new hair. To achieve the most effective results, Propecia treatment should be started in the early stages of male pattern hair loss. The active ingredient in Propecia is called finasteride. The compound belongs to a class of medicines called type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Propecia finasteride inhibits the natural conversion process of male sex hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Although DHT is an important sex hormone, in some men the level of DHT becomes quite high. When in excess, DHT shrinks the hair follicles in the scalp, eventually leading to the hair falling out. Propecia helps to lower the level of DHT in the body and thereby helps to prevent further hair loss.

It helps to normalise the level of DHT and help it stay low enough so the adverse effects of DHT on the hair follicle stop. By working this way, Propecia helps to normalise the hair growth cycle and in turn reverse the hair loss process. The results of the Propecia treatment are noticeable within 3 months of starting the treatment. In 5 years time, men may notice a head full of hair depending on what stage they started the treatment and how well their body adapts to the treatment. The effects of Propecia have been studied in a 5-year clinical study in which 90% of the patients reported a visible improvement.

Causes of Hair loss

Causes of Hair loss

It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs a day, so it is not necessarily a worrying sign to see hairs fall out. There are various possible causes of hair loss, the major ones are; stress, drugs, skin disorders, testosterone, menopause, iron deficiency, genetics and aging.

Causes of Hair loss

Cause 1: Genetic Balding

This type of hair loss is inherited through the genetics of genes of one’s mother. With genetic hair loss the reason for balding is not hair falling out but the body’s inability to produce more hair. This is due to the hair follicles going through their normal 25 cycles within a very short time period. This causes the follicles to stop producing hairs much earlier than normal.

Cause 2: Fungal Infection

Fungal infection often causes patchy hair loss, and red scalp, scaling (dandruff) and pus is often seen. This type of infection can be easily treated with a few months' course of anti-fungal agents, used simultaneously with anti-fungal shampoo.

Fungal infections usually affect the skin because they live off keratin, a protein that makes up skin, hair and nails. Fungal skin infections are divided into groups depending on what type of organism is involved. The full name depends on the location of the infection on the body.

Cause 3: Major illness/surgery

About 3 or 4 months after an illness or a major surgery, you may suddenly lose a large amount of hair. This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary.