The hair is the most magnificent decoration of the scalp. Hair is very significant when it comes to the self-image of a person. Lengthy, shiny glamorous hair of women are a source of admiration; even men too are splurging on hair care products. Samson (man of the sun) referred to in the Hebrew Bible, had two weaknesses, one of which was his hair, without which he was inadequate and helpless.
Hair are referred to as the crown of distinction, which they indeed are and they play a significant role in adding grace and artistry even to those faces, that are not so pretty. While baldness is usually associated with wealth, gray hairs are more of a focus of respect.
Before discussing hair loss, let us talk about the exact nature of hair and how it functions.
A hair consists of two parts:
1. The hair shaft–the part of the hair that we are able to see. It is a tiny cup-shaped pit buried in the fat of the scalp. It is the point from where the hair grows It is made up of keratin(a special kind of hard protein which is damage-proof).
2. The hair follicle–the part of the hair, which lies in the skin, hence can’t be seen by us. The terminal part of the hair follicle seated within the skin is known as hair bulb. In the hair bulb some special cells produce the pigment called melanin, which is responsible for the particular color of our hair. At the base of each hair bulb is the dermal papilla that contains a vessel tuft, which is essential for the nourishment of the growing hairs.
Causes of hair loss in men:
-Common baldness
This type of hair loss is due to the male hormone testosterone, which acts on those hair follicles that are sensitive on account of heredity. With the passage of time, these hair follicles become smaller and finally vanish. The hair follicles in the front and the top part of the scalp are more sensitive, hence producing the male style of hair loss. It begins with the going back of hairline at the temples (either of the flat surfaces alongside the forehead to the front of each ear) and the hair at the top of the scalp become less in thickness.
– The androgenetic hair loss. (This type of hair loss is affected by genes from mother or father, hormones and age)
– Worry, distress, anxiety
– Poor nutrition (especially lack of proteins)
– Some medicines such as aspirin (a blood thinner), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chemotherapy drugs, antidepressants, a class of antihypertensive drugs known as beta blockers
– Over exposure of hair to rough and crude chemicals
– Excessive pulling of one’s own hair during periods of emotional stress. It is a mental disorder.
– Over-usage of hair dyes
Causes of hair loss in women:
– Extreme worry
– After pregnancy
– Hypothyroidism
– Hyperthyroidism
– An autoimmune disease known as Lupus
– After some chief surgery
– As a result of desperate weight loss
– As a side effect of some medicines such as anti-inflammatory drugs (non-steroidal) some anti-hypertensive drugs, antidepressants, aspirin, chemotherapy drugs.
Home Remedies for Hair Loss:
– Cultivate a habit of warm oil massage of olive oil or coconut oil or canola oil into the scalp. Hair should be washed with shampoo half an hour after the massage.
– Select a hair brush made of soft plastic bristles which are kind to your hair
– Never shampoo your hair more than two to three times a week
– Rub your scalp with ginger juice or onion juice, let it stay there all night and wash the hair in the morning
– Massage your scalp for a few minutes daily to stimulate circulation, so as to keep the hair follicles active
– Protect your hair and scalp from the ultraviolet rays of sun by applying your lip balm on your hair when going outdoors
– Practicing meditation relieves worry, anxiety and hence hair loss
– Hair transplantation –a surgical procedure which involves movement of hair follicles from the donor site of the body to the balding site.
