OOne of the biggest questions we always want to answer is: Are we doing everything we can to care for our hair? Are we doing too little? Are we doing too much? Why am I losing so much hair?
The health of your hair is closely linked to the nutrients it receives from your diet. Stress and smoke – whether from smoking, second-hand smoke or pollution – are major contributors to hair loss. Smog, which is particularly prevalent in urban areas, exacerbates the problem.
Before we look at the remedies and treatments for hair loss, it is important to understand the most common causes of it:
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Genetics: Androgenetic alopecia, also called hereditary hair loss, is the most common cause.
Nutrient deficiencies: A diet lacking in important vitamins such as vitamin D and H (biotin) and other minerals can lead to serious deficiencies that affect hair health.
Internal causes: Cancer, autoimmune diseases and severe diabetes mellitus can also contribute to hair loss.
Environmental pollution: Environmental pollutants can cause serious damage to the scalp and hair follicles over time.
Hormonal imbalances: Conditions such as thyroid disorders and PCOS can contribute to hair loss.
A combined approach
In my 13 years as a dermatologist, I have consistently emphasized that the hair care industry needs a holistic approach that addresses both internal and external factors through oral and topical applications, rather than relying on a single product that only treats hair loss superficially. A complex problem like hair loss requires a comprehensive and customized solution. By integrating these two sciences, you can address both health and hair loss with a unified approach.
Given the complexity of hair loss, relying solely on natural remedies or clinical treatments may not be enough. Instead, a combination of the two is often the most effective strategy. This combination leverages the strengths of each method and provides a comprehensive solution to hair loss.
Effective natural remedies
Over the years, certain natural remedies have proven effective in combating hair loss. Here are some notable ones:
Castor and rosemary oil with camphor: This mixture has been used successfully for many years. Castor oil, known for its nourishing properties, combined with rosemary oil, which stimulates hair growth, and a little crushed camphor, can significantly reduce hair loss. Applying this mixture as a hair pack, followed by steaming, can increase its effectiveness.
Paprika and onion juice mixture: This combination can be especially helpful for people with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes circular hair loss. Although this mixture works as an irritant to encourage hair growth, it should be used along with allopathic treatments for optimal results. This is because alopecia areata requires an inside-out approach that starts by addressing problems in the blood.
The limits of natural remedies
Although natural hair loss remedies offer numerous benefits such as minimal side effects and cost-effectiveness, they also have some limitations:
- Lack of scientific evidence: While anecdotal reports and traditional knowledge suggest benefits, the lack of clinical studies makes it difficult to determine their actual effectiveness.
- Variability of results: Natural remedies can produce inconsistent results. They typically only work for about 50 percent of people and are generally more effective when used in conjunction with clinical treatments, especially for people living in large cities.
- Limited effectiveness for severe hair loss: For individuals with advanced hair loss or conditions such as androgenetic alopecia, natural remedies may not be sufficient. Severe cases often require more effective treatments available through clinical methods.
Effective clinical treatments
For effective treatment of hair loss, it is important to first correct the internal disorders.
Hair growth is cyclical and includes five phases: anagen (growth phase), catagen (transition phase), telogen (resting phase), exogen (hair loss phase), kenogen (latency phase). In addition, it is important to distinguish between two types of hair loss: acute and chronic telogen effluvium. The former lasts less than three months, while the latter lasts longer.
Remember that it is normal to lose about 100 hairs a day. If you feel like you are exceeding this mark daily, make an appointment with your dermatologist.
When replacing the vitamins in your body orally, you should be aware of the cycles of your hair growth/loss phase mentioned above, as it may take three to six months to see improvement. This delay may coincide with a period of hair loss, potentially leading to unnecessary use of additional vitamins. For severe hair loss, I recommend injectable vitamins for faster results.
Clinical treatment has evolved significantly and offers various solutions tailored to individual needs, some of which are listed below.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy: This involves injecting platelet-rich plasma from the patient’s blood into the scalp. It is known to have a positive effect on hair growth and hair density.
Laser therapy: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth. It is a popular non-invasive treatment due to its effectiveness and minimal side effects.
Hair transplant: This surgical procedure involves transplanting hair follicles from one part of the body to the bald areas. Hair transplants have a high success rate and offer a permanent solution to hair loss.
Always consult your trusted dermatologist before undertaking any skin treatment, whether natural or clinical, major or minor. The most effective approach to treating hair loss is a combination of natural remedies and clinical treatments.
Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj is a consultant dermatologist at Max Hospital, Saket. She is also an allergist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. Twitter handle: @dermatdoc. Her opinion is personal.
(Edited by Humra Laeeq)
