Everyone wants to know how to prevent hair loss before it starts. There are a number of ways to stop hair loss and to slow or decrease the hair loss process. Treatments might include switching medications, if you and your doctor decide that hair loss is a side effect of the medicine you are taking. Identifying and treating a hormonal imbalance or infection might help stop your hair loss. There are also prescription and over the counter medications which can help stimulate hair growth. And if your hair loss isn’t treatable, there are wigs and toupees made of natural hair available, and hair transplants and hair replacement systems available from hair loss clinics worldwide.
Before you investigate hair transplants and drugs or natural hair replacement systems, explore other options with our ILostMyHair.com contributors. Catherine Woods of Mobulls in West Plains, Missouri discusses how to prevent hair loss by using hair loss shampoos, Anthony Pierpont of St. Paul, Minnesota provides information about vitamins and supplements that stimulate hair growth and Angela French of San Jose, California talks about herbal remedies and ayurvedic hair care for hair loss.
How to Prevent Hair Loss Using Hair Loss Shampoos by Catherine Woods of Mobulls in West Plains, Missouri
Did you know that you can use herbal hair care products like shampoos to prevent hair loss? Some herbal hair loss shampoos include natural ingredients thought to inhibit DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), a hormone believed to destroy hair follicles. Other types of herbal hair care products focus on making remaining hair thicker to conceal baldness. Aloe Vera is often an ingredient in hair loss shampoos. Aloe Vera is believed to prevent hair loss and to stimulate hair growth by healing the scalp, cleaning scalp pores and balancing pH levels. One homemade ayurvedic hair care remedy involves mixing natural Aloe Vera gel with wheat germ oil and coconut milk and using it as a shampoo to stimulate hair growth. DHT shampoos claim to prevent hair loss by reducing the body’s levels of DHT. Herbal hair loss shampoos with DHT can also reduce or eliminate psoriasis and dandruff, to increase your hair’s thickness and improve your hair’s overall appearance. Similar to Aloe Vera, DHT herbal hair care products and shampoos can help reduce the occurrence of hair loss by cleaning and purifying your scalp.
Dyeing your hair, using ponytail holders, wearing braids on a regular basis, even twirling your hair all take a toll on your hair’s health. If you have hair loss due to the strenuous demands of hairstyling, give your hair a rest. Consider switching to an herbal hair loss shampoo and getting deep conditioning or hot oil treatments at a salon to stimulate hair growth. Wait at least a month between chemical treatments like dyeing or straightening your hair. And getting regular hair cuts won’t prevent hair loss, but they reduce the appearance of breakage and split ends, making your hair appear thicker and healthier.
How to Prevent Hair Loss Taking Hair Loss Vitamins and Supplements by Anthony Pierpont of St. Paul, Minnesota
You can prevent hair loss by taking the right hair loss vitamins and supplements. Any doctor will tell you that eating properly and getting all of the nutrients that you need is critical to maintaining a healthy head of hair. Herbal hair loss supplements to consider adding to your diet include Biotin (an element of vitamin B complex), vitamins A, B6, B12, C, copper, zinc, folic acid and magnesium. All of these vitamins can help stimulate hair growth and help prevent additional hair loss.
Taking herbal supplements may help prevent hair loss, but improvements in your diet are preferable and definitely the best way to get the most benefits of vitamin absorption. Protein and iron are essential in preventing hair loss and can be easily integrated into your diet by eating meat and green leafy vegetables. Omega 3 fatty acids are beneficial to a healthy head of hair and present in fish like salmon, and can also be taken as herbal hair supplements. Calcium is critical to stimulating hair growth and can be integrated into your diet by eating dairy or calcium-infused soy products. Lastly, drinking plenty of water every day is another way to prevent or stifle hair loss.
How to Prevent Hair Loss Using Herbal Remedies and Ayurvedic Hair Care by Angela French of San Jose, California
Using herbal remedies and ayurvedic hair care remedies can also prevent hair loss. Stress is a major cause of hair loss. Improving your overall health and wellness is one of the most powerful ways to prevent hair loss. Reduce or eliminate stress by taking yoga classes and practicing relaxation techniques throughout your day. Working to make sure that you get a proper night’s sleep every night will also help reduce stress. Herbal hair loss supplements provided by an alternative medicine provider, like a chiropractor, may also help prevent hair loss.
Ayurveda originated in India and is a very old method of healing oneself holistically. Ayurvedic hair care treatments identify the root cause of hair loss. According to ayurvedic principles, hair loss is most often caused by an imbalance in your Pitta dosha. Pitta dosha is responsible for your body and mind’s wellness. An excess of Pitta is caused by eating too many unhealthy foods, smoking and drinking caffeinated products. The first step in ayurvedic hair care is to identify what’s causing the increase in Pitta, and then eliminating it from your diet. Using herbal hair care products can also help, since the chemicals found in most shampoos also increase Pitta. Herbal hair loss remedies can also help cure fungal scalp infections, another cause of hair loss. Exercising regularly also helps balance the Pitta.
Ayurvedic hair care remedies include creating your own herbal hair care products to stop hair loss. Massage sesame, mustard and coconut oils into the scalp to improve circulation and stimulate hair growth. Hair oils should be used at least three times a week and applied on the scalp, then massaged into the whole head. The juice from green coriander leaves can also be applied to the scalp to help prevent hair loss. Lemon seeds and black pepper or licorice and milk can be combined into a paste and applied to the scalp to help grow hair. Ayurvedic hair care remedies aren’t just topical; drinking lettuce and spinach juice helps stimulate hair growth. Lettuce, alfalfa and carrot can also be ingested to help hair grow. Proper ayurvedic hair care includes protecting your scalp from the sun and using lukewarm water when washing your hair to keep your scalp cool and help prevent additional hair loss. Ayurvedic hair care treatments also include regular scalp massages to increase circulation and to stimulate hair growth.
An alternative medicine provider can make sure you’re taking the right combination of vitamins and supplements to prevent losing your hair. Use a journal to record your diet, so you and your health provider can determine if you’re eating the right balance of foods designed to stop hair loss.
We thank our contributors:
- Catherine Woods, Mobulls, breeders of French and English bulldogs, West Plains, MO
- Anthony Pierpont of St. Paul, Minnesota
- Angela French of San Jose, California
