Hair loss is a major concern for everyone.
Although it may be normal to lose 50-100 hair per day, anything more than that should be taken seriously as bald patches and complete baldness is not a healthy sight. This holds true, especially for those among us who take great pride in their appearance and like to style their hair any which way they please. Hair fall that is not due to breakage or damage can be because of certain deficiency states, stress, hormonal imbalances, and others. Here are some remedies for hair fall besides minoxidil which you should know about.
1. Natural Oils
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Emu Oil
The feathery edges on this oil make it a wonderful remedy for bald spots! Emu oil is rich in linoleic acid, which has potent anti-inflammatory qualities that can help to improve sebaceous gland activity. This supports hair growth and helps to reduce dandruff as well. This Nisim blog goes over all the details about how Emu oil is great for nourishing your hair and also slowing down hair loss in men. Check it out.
You should apply this oil topically after shampooing the hair, especially in the areas where you are experiencing excessive hair loss. For best results, use this for a period of 3 months. Once your condition improves you can continue using it for another few weeks to see further results.
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Flaxseed Oil
The omega-3 fatty acids present in flaxseed oil improve cell membrane permeability and promote proper cellular function. This is useful in preventing hair loss, especially when the problem arises because of a lack of adequate blood supply to the scalp or due to Vitamin B deficiency.
You should take 1 tablespoonful of flaxseed oil every day and massage it into your scalp for at least 10 minutes before you take a bath. If possible, leave it overnight so that your hair follicles can absorb all the nutrients effectively. Also, remember not to shampoo off this oil until it has been completely absorbed into your scalp – otherwise, all the benefits would be lost!
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Castor Oil
Castor oil has been used for ages to treat various health conditions owing to its great anti-inflammatory properties. It is also one of the best home remedies for preventing hair falls. In addition, Vitamin E present in castor oil protects the hair follicles, nourishes the scalp, and promotes proper blood circulation which keeps your hair healthy by removing toxins from your body. Not only that, but castor oil also helps treat many skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis and is also known to increase hair growth in both men and women!
You can apply a small amount of castor oil on your scalp using your fingers or a cotton ball before going to bed at night. Continue doing this for about 3 months for good results – if you feel too greasy, you can mix coconut oil in it (in equal amounts) and then apply.
2. Alternative Drugs To Minoxidil
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Spironolactone
Spironolactone is a drug that is commonly used to treat high blood pressure but it is also very useful in treating male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. It works by blocking the effects of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which reduces hair fall and stimulates new hair growth in people who are experiencing thinning of their scalp hair due to this hormone.
Baldness is a hereditary condition and people with a family history of balding should take around 200 mg of spironolactone on a daily basis for over six months to see good results. Make sure that you use only the branded, original spironolactone tablets and not generics because these can often cause side effects.
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Finasteride
This is a drug that is used in the treatment of male pattern baldness and it works by blocking the enzyme Type II 5-alpha reductase which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It also blocks the binding of DHT to androgen receptors.
One only needs to take a tablet orally, once a day for 3 months for good results. As soon as one stops taking this medicine, all its beneficial effects will be lost within 6-12 months. So if you want to continue using this drug for preventing hair loss then you should consult your dermatologist about how to use this medicine effectively and safely.
- Cimetidine
Cimetidine helps in the treatment of hair fall by inhibiting the action of testosterone on hair shafts, thereby preventing hair loss. It also stimulates hair growth by increasing blood supply to the scalp and reducing the DHT enzyme levels.
You should take 300mg – 1g of cimetidine daily for 3 months or so to see good results. However, it is advisable that you first consult your doctor about the proper dosage as well as possible side effects before using this drug for treating male pattern baldness.
3. Vitamins & Herbs to Prevent Hair Loss & Regrow Hair
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Vitamin B6 And Vitamin E
Both Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E are antioxidants that help in treating conditions like alopecia areata where patches start developing on the scalp which can lead to hair fall. Vitamin B6 helps in the production of melanin which gives hair its color and Vitamin E protects the collagen structure that aids in keeping your scalp healthy.
You need to take about 100mg – 200mg of Vitamin B6 daily for around 4 months or so before you can see any visible changes with regard to stopping hair fall. On the other hand, taking 50IU – 150IU of vitamin E per day will be good enough for treating conditions like alopecia areata. However, it is advisable that you consult your doctor first about the dosage as well as possible side effects before taking these vitamins for treating hair loss problems.
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Saw Palmetto
People with male pattern baldness often complain that they have an increased level of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) hormone in their body which causes them to experience excessive hair fall along with balding. Saw palmetto is a great remedy for this particular problem and acts by blocking the DHT hormone, thus helping to prevent hair loss and promoting healthier hair growth. It also helps in restoring natural hormonal balance which leads to enhanced blood circulation in the scalp.
People with male pattern baldness should take around 320 mg to 640mg of saw palmetto on a daily basis for around six months to see good results. Make sure that you choose only organic saw palmetto supplements as these are free from harmful chemicals and pesticides that can lead to potentially dangerous side effects in your body.
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Saw Palmetto Cream
A number of saw palmetto creams are available in drugstores that help treat male pattern baldness. Apply this cream every night before going to bed in areas where you are noticing some hair loss. You can also apply a small amount on your scalp to enhance the effect.
4. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
There are many forms of laser treatments available in salons today but what most people don’t know is that low-level laser therapy is one of the safest and most effective treatments for hair growth as it speeds up cell metabolism, stimulates blood circulation in the scalp, rejuvenates the cells and enables them to absorb nutrients more effectively.
You can now buy LLLT units from marketplaces like eBay at a fraction of the price! This is a safe way to treat your hair loss problem.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used for treating various health conditions for centuries and it is no surprise that this simple solution is also useful in case of hair fall! Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid which helps reduce dandruff problems by keeping the pH level balanced on your scalp. In addition, lactic acid present in apple cider vinegar promotes cell rejuvenation and increased blood circulation which prevents further hair damage and breakage.
If you have oily scalp then you must avoid using apple cider vinegar as it will only aggravate the condition by leading to a dryness problem – instead use lemon juice or tea tree oil which provides similar benefits minus the harsh effect of apple cider vinegar.
You can use apple cider vinegar to rinse your hair after you have washed it with normal water – this would strengthen your hair and add volume to them while keeping dandruff at bay. Just mix a cupful of apple cider vinegar in a gallon of water and apply it on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing it off with water. Do this once every week for good results!
6. Ice Cold Water Rinse
After shampooing, try pouring ice-cold over your hair instead of lukewarm or hot water. This closes the hair cuticles and provides a protective layer over them that prevents further damage to your hair. You can even add a few drops of lemon juice to the ice-cold water for additional results!
7. Hair Packs
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Egg Pack
Egg yolks contain protein which is great for promoting hair growth and egg whites provide nourishment to damaged hair follicles by enhancing blood circulation on your scalp. Mixing both together and applying it every night before going to bed will prevent further damage and also strengthen your weakened strands of hair! The proteins present in eggs help treat the damaged parts while clearing away dandruff problems at the same time!
Make sure you use only fresh eggs for this treatment – stale ones won’t produce the desired results!
You can also mix egg yolk with honey or olive oil and apply them to your hair before shampooing. This will ensure proper nourishment of every strand of hair which prevents hair fall and provides a natural shine to your hair too!
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Curd & Honey Pack
Honey works as an antibacterial which keeps dandruff at bay while curd contains lactic acid that cleanses your scalp by promoting cell rejuvenation. Both of these together provide amazing nourishment to your scalp and prevent further damage – they balance the pH level of your scalp and keep it moisturized at the same time.
Mix curd with honey in equal amounts and apply the pack on your scalp before bedtime. Rinse it off after about 30-45 minutes or else you’ll end up looking like someone sprinkled oil over your hair!
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Indian Gooseberry & Amla Powder/Amla Oil
Indian gooseberry (also called amla) is rich in Vitamin C which makes it one of the best natural cures for dandruff problems along with brightening dull hair by removing dead skin cells. It also provides nourishment to damaged hair follicles, prevents graying of hair, and promotes healthy growth of new strands too! The antioxidant properties present in amla prevent hair fall and graying of hair caused by free radicals which accelerate the aging process.
Amla powder can be used every day to cure your dandruff problems along with preventing further damage. You can mix it in your favorite shampoo or conditioner to use it frequently. Moreover, amla oil can also be massaged into your scalp for shining and moisturized locks!
Here’s what you need to do – boil a handful of amla pieces (Indian gooseberry) in coconut oil and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the water content evaporates completely. Let it cool down and store this oil in a glass bottle before using 4-5 drops on your scalp while taking bath. Massage well and leave it overnight – give your hair a thorough wash the next morning with shampoo or curd!
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