A few years ago, standing in front of a mirror, suddenly I realized something had changed in my appearance. It seemed my hair partition was widening day by day. Thoughts struck my head at that time, does it always look like that? Is it normal or is it something I should be concerned about? Did I just overlook the shedding hair in the last few days? Am I going to be bald? Is it the end of the world? Oh God!
I was so puzzled and upset. I was so desperate to prevent hair fall & get my hair back, I just tried almost everything found on the internet, suggested by friends, or from my basic knowledge. Some were helpful, some were just a waste of time & energy.
At some point in life, we all experience mild to moderate or sometimes severe hair fall. Being a person, who experienced severe hair loss at times and got over it with just a few easy tips and tricks, I think I can help you if you are also getting perplexed with your quadruple hair loss, just like the old me. In this article, I am going to guide you through some of the easiest & effective tips on how to prevent hair fall naturally at home from my own experiences and insights.
Is hair fall normal?
Is hair fall normal? Yes. Is excessive hair fall normal? No. As we all know hair will fall out & grow again, it’s just a process of the hair cycle. And it’s very normal to lose 50-100 hair strands daily. But when should you be concerned? If your hair loss is gradually increasing or if you are already experiencing hair thinning or bald spaces in your scalp, then 50-100 is not a normal number for you.
Why does hair fall out?
Before diving into the solutions, we need to diagnose the root cause of our problem. There’s not just any single reason responsible for hair fall, multiple factors can contribute. Such as poor nutritional diet, stress, hormonal imbalance, lack of sleep, poor hair care habits, any underlying medical condition, certain medications or genetic predisposition.
If your hair loss is due to any medical condition like thyroid issues, PCOS, other autoimmune diseases, or genetics, this article may help you to some extent, but can’t stop your hair loss completely. It’s best to seek doctor’s advice in this condition. And if your hair fall is due to anything that can be changed naturally, I hope you are going to find your solution by the end of this article. Keep scrolling
How to prevent hair fall naturally?
Let your diet be the medicine
Your outer health is completely related to your gut health. A poorly nutritious diet is considered one of the biggest reasons for hair loss. Lack of essential vitamins and minerals like iron, and zinc can weaken hair follicles.
Incorporate the following foods into your diet to maintain healthy hair.
- Protein: Hair is primarily made of protein, keratin. The protein component of the diet is critical for the production of normal healthy hair. So, ensure adequate intake of protein from sources like eggs, fish, lean meats, and legumes.
- Vitamins: Consume foods rich in vitamins A, C, E and biotin (B7) such as fruits, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds.
- Minerals: Zinc, iron and selenium are essential for hair health and can be found in foods like spinach, lentils, pumpkin seeds and shellfish.
Stress less
Do you know what was the biggest cause of my hair loss? Yes, you guess it right! It always seemed like stress was causing hair fall and then the worry of losing hair was making me more stressed. You can’t achieve your external beauty, only by taking care from outside. As our emotional wellness is directly linked to our physical wellness, It needs to be treated from within. So practice self-reducing techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises or spending time in nature.
Ditch the heat
Probably you are thinking, there’s nothing quite like the sizzle of a hot iron on your hair. But guess what? That heat is doing more damage than your last breakup. Any heating device used for hair styling is one of the biggest enemies of your hair. Minimize the use of hair styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons and bid adieu to hair damage.
Scalp massage
Regular scalp massage stimulates blood circulation to the hair, promoting hair growth and reducing hair fall. Use your fingertips and gently massage your scalp in a circular motion, applying light to medium pressure. Use natural oils like coconut, almond or olive oil for added nourishment.
Get your vitamin D level checked
Vitamin D deficiency is directly related to keratinocytes, a type of call crucial to the growth of hair. To satisfy your hair care concerns, check your vitamin D level and ensure you get enough through sunlight or diet. You can take vitamin D supplements if required, but make sure you consult with a healthcare professional before taking any supplements.
Choose proper shampoo
Shampoo is meant to clean your hair not to be harsh. Choose a sulfate-free and paraben-free shampoo. And look for one that contains natural ingredients like aloe vera, coconut or biotin.
Use conditioner
As we know, a dry scalp equals more hair fall. So if you want to prevent hair fall and encourage healthy hair growth, conditioner should be your never-to-be-missed step in your hair care regime.
Sleep well
A sound sleep and a happy mind! Burning the midnight oil is not doing your hair any favors. Not getting enough sleep can affect both overall health and appearance.
Inadequate sleep can fluctuate your hormonal balance and induce hair fall. So Sleep well, look well.
Proper hair care
- Avoid vigorous towel drying and combing wet hair to prevent breakage.
- Opt for loose hairstyles that don’t pull on the hair follicles to reduce the risk of hair breakage.
- Never use hot water on your scalp as it will make your scalp dry and contribute to hair loss. Avoid hair fall by washing your hair only with warm or cold water.
- Wear a scruff or cap before going out to protect your hair from dirt and pollution.
Try home remedies
Along with lifestyle changes, trying some natural home remedies won’t do any harm. The best part is that these remedies are cost-effective and most probably you know about them from your grandma’s days.
1. Onion juice
I know, I know, it’s not very pleasant to smell and you may experience temporary tears but do you know it can also bring out your happy tears by locking your shedding hair in your scalp? Onion juice is rich in sulfur, which boosts collagen production and strengthens hair follicles. Grind onion, strain the juice and apply it to the scalp. Leave it on for 15-30 minutes and wash it off.
2. Oils
Use coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil or castor oil on your scalp, and leave it on overnight to get the best result, or at least 1-2 hours before washing. And rinse it off with a mild shampoo. These all-natural oils help to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
3. Essential oils
The product that helped me most in my hair care journey is essential oil. You can choose rosemary oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil or tea tree oil. Add 4-5 drops of your essential oil to your regular oil and apply it to your scalp. Wait for 1-2 hours and then wash it off.
4. Beetroot juice
Beetroot juice is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You can consume it as part of your diet or you can also apply beetroot juice to your scalp. Grind it, Strain the juice and apply it on your scalp. Massage gently and leave it on for 15-30 minutes before washing it off with water.
5. Fenugreek
The high protein content of fenugreek provides natural nourishment to the hair, strengthens it from within and reduces hair fall. Soak fenugreek seeds overnight, grind them into a paste and apply it to your scalp. Leave it on for 1 hour & then wash it off with cold water.
Wrapping up
If there is a problem, there is a solution too. Let’s embark on the journey from the concern of losing all your hair to restoring joy along with your growing hair. Enjoy!