Hair Loss Prevention Secrets

Hair Loss Prevention Secrets

Hair is, without a doubt, one of the most reliable indicators of the body's health. Scientists can even test it to determine what diseases a person has had or what medications they have used. Almost everything that passes through the bloodstream ends up in the hair.

Of course, this includes vitamins and minerals. Many of them are important to ensure the health of the follicle, papilla and its matrix, as well as the hair growing from it.

The hair outside the scalp has no nerves or blood supply and is classified as “dead” tissue. It must be, or it couldn't be cut painlessly.

Despite the claims of manufacturers of topical products, it is impossible to “nourish” or “feed” visible hair. These products change the appearance of hair, usually by coating it with wax or lanolin. The only way to nourish the hair is to provide nutrients to the papilla as it grows. Healthy hair starts from within.

A number of vitamins and minerals have been found to have a specific and positive effect on hair health. These include folic acid, niacin, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, choline bitartrate, inositol, PABA, iodine, iron, silica, magnesium, copper, zinc and manganese.

It is important to remember that even intensive vitamin therapy does not help all men or women with alopecia. There is no “magic cure” for all people or for all types of hair loss.

However, supplements have a positive effect on terminal hair (the thick strands commonly known as “head hair”) and can counteract some types of hair loss. Like all forms of natural or conventional therapies, nutritional supplements provide the best results when used early in treatment. Taking supplements at the first signs of hair loss, or even beforehand in men and women who suspect they may be at risk for the problem, can have a positive effect in treating the underlying causes of alopecia before large parts of the scalp are affected.

Hair thinning associated with age may be due to the capillary loops that supply blood and nutrients to follicles decreasing in older people. A supplement that provides additional nutrients to the hair can keep these follicles healthier.

A healthy follicle and papilla will always produce hair. Unfortunately, many people lack a “healthy” follicle, whether due to insufficient nutrients or health risks.

Conventional medicine uses medications that target specific areas of the body. Alternative medicine, such as vitamin therapy, focuses on “whole health.” A healthy body is healthy everywhere, not just in certain areas. The vitamins and minerals that help keep hair follicles healthy also help keep the entire body in good shape.

When using supplements, it is important to keep the idea of ​​“total health” in mind. Supplements produce better results faster if the following are also done:

– Quit smoking. One of the most noticeable effects of tobacco smoke is the narrowing of veins and arteries. Good blood circulation is essential for healthy hair. Narrowed veins carry fewer nutrients and oxygen and are less able to nourish the papilla and matrix where hair growth begins. Nicotine also depletes some vitamins, particularly water-soluble ones like vitamin C.

– Do not use prescription medications. All prescription medications should be taken as directed. Ask your doctor whether natural medicines are suitable. For example, antihyperlipidemias taken to lower blood cholesterol levels can cause hair loss. Natural medications to lower cholesterol, such as herbal remedies, do not have this adverse effect on hair.

– Eat decently. Every part of the body, from blood to follicular cells to nerves, relies on a regular supply of essential nutrients. These include proteins, vitamins, minerals and some fat. Unfortunately, the typical American diet is unbalanced and high in animal fat and starches while low in vitamins and fiber. To improve diet, most people should eat more fresh fruits and vegetables (at least six servings per day) and reduce red meat, breads, pastries, and fried or deep-fried foods and snacks. It's also important to maintain proper fluid levels by drinking six to eight glasses of water daily.

– Don’t overdo it with alcohol. Too much can lead to vitamin deficiencies, such as low folic acid levels.

– Reduce stress to a minimum. Studies have shown that high levels of stress can be a factor in many types of alopecia and affect the overall health of the body. Many people with high levels of stress respond by pulling or tugging on their hair and are sometimes unaware that they are doing it. (The condition is called trichotillomania.) If it's not possible to adjust your lifestyle, make small changes when possible. Some herbal medicines have also been proven to reduce stress without side effects.

– Treat the hair carefully. Wet hair is extremely fragile. Never brush wet hair. Instead, comb it gently. Remove tangles by working the hair from the ends rather than pushing the comb through, which breaks or pulls the hair out. Blow-drying, hot rollers and brushing against the grain (e.g. “combing back”) also put a lot of strain on the hair

– Limit hair treatments. All chemical treatments, such as permanent coloring, straightening, coloring or bleaching, weaken the hair shaft, especially when used in combination (e.g. coloring and then curling the hair). Weakened hair is easily broken. Hair that breaks at or near the scalp looks the same as hair that has fallen out.

– Avoid tight styles. These can break the hair or pull on the follicles enough to cause damage. (This damage is called traction alopecia.) Cornrows or tight braids are bad for this. If you want to tie your hair back, make sure the ponytail is loose. – Use gentle cleaning products. Cheap, harsh shampoos are harsh on hair. Use gentle shampoos. Wash the hair thoroughly, but do not overprocess the hair as it is fragile when wet. Rinse very well to remove all traces of the product.

Inspired by Arthur Canfield