Losing sleep over hair loss? It’s time to gear up for some action then!

Have you been noticing your hair everywhere…on the pillow, on the floor and in the bathroom? Have you been waking up with nightmares of going bald? If yes, you could be suffering from hair thinning or hair loss, which could eventually progress to baldness. It’s time you give your tresses some serious consideration.

Hair loss occurs as a result of shrinking or closing down of the hair roots or follicles that eventually lead to thinner or weaker hair strands that fall out easily or break easily. It reduces the mass or volume of hair on the scalp, thereby creating gaps or bald areas on the scalp.

What really causes hair loss?

Hair thinning or hair loss often results from:

• Faulty nutrition
• Crash dieting
• Exposure to pollution
• Use of chemical products
• Hormonal imbalances
• Longstanding stress, prolonged intake of medications for diseases (drug induced), and underlying chronic diseases like iron deficiency anemia, hypothyroid, pcos, diabetes, cancers
• It can also be hereditary.

While hair loss is usually reversible and the person recovers most of the hair loss, prolonged thinning can lead to complete closure of roots causing irrreversible baldness.

Can hair loss be prevented?

If hair loss is due to an underlying chronic disorder, usually treatment of the causative diorder helps arrest the process of thinning and at times reverse it too, thereby restoring the actual volume of hair.

If it is a result of lifestyle or environmental changes, it can be prevented by bringing about simple changes in daily routine and hair care.

Try these 5 simple tips for thinning hair :

1. Eat Healthy:

In our day to day lives, in an attempt to keep up with the demands of our work schedules, we often forget the most important thing that helps us to keep going.

Yes, you guessed it right!

We often neglect our "Diet". We just don't have the time to bother about what we put in as long as there is something we do put in. Eating healthy is the first and foremost thing for prevention of hair thinning.

• Hair is made of keratin, a protein, hence the most important part of diet for hair must include adequate protein intake. Foods like milk & milk products (like curd, buttermilk, paneer ), eggs, chicken, pulses, sprouts, soyabean etc are a rich source of protein and need to be a part of daily diet.
• Apart from proteins, a diet rich in iron like dry fruits (almonds, walnuts, figs, pistachios, dates) and fruits like pomogranates, watermelon, banana, apples, help in overall growth and wellness of hairs.
• Foods containing anti oxidants like fish, green tea, flax seeds, almonds etc help

in maintaining the hair follicles, thereby promoting healthy hair growth.

So the next time you think of neglecting your diet, think twice! And make sure you have these foods as a part of your daily diet to ensure thick healthy hair.

2. Do not let the weather be a reason for thinning hair :

Changes in weather can really be damaging for hair. Don't let it affect yours. Simple things that you do can help keep hair healthy come cold, rain or sun.

• The best way to combact winter dryness or frizziness is to limit hair washes to 2-3 times a week. Using a mild anti-dandruff shampoo also helps. Oiling helps retain moisture on the scalp, so make sure you oil the night before you shampoo. Choose lukewarm water for hair instead of hot water that tends to dry out the scalp and hair.
• Contrary to winters, shampoo daily or alternate day in summers, as summer tends to leave one hot and sweaty. But make sure you use a mild shampoo, preferrably herbal or medicated to minimise damage to the roots.

While using helmets make sure you cover your tresses with a cotton handkerchief underneath so as to absorb the sweat.

• Rains are fun, but they sure can turn your hair to a disaster. The chlorine in the water damages the hair roots, so make sure to add something to your bathing water, probably alum, that helps the muddy water settle down, before a hair wash.

3. Its all about style :

Who does'nt want to look beautiful and stylish? But not at the cost of hair right?

• While it may make you look gorgeous, certain hairstyles like tight ponytails and buns that put pressure on the hair roots may lead to hair thinning. Refrain from them for the sake of healthy hair. Tight bands or clips also should not be used as they tend pull the hairs a bit too much.
• Keep changing your hairstyle and parting frequently, that helps give you a new look but at the same time keeps your hair healthy.

4. Avoid Chemical Treatments :

• Stay away from chemical treatments like straightening, perming, rebonding and crimping as they damage the scalp and the hair.
• Avoid blow drying too, as the heat and gust can cause hair to break. Let the hairs dry naturally. Do not be harsh on the hairs and rub it too hard with a towel. Be gentle and see the difference.
• Stay away from hair colours if you can. Most hair colours contain harmful chemicals like ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and p-phenylenediamine that penetrate the scalp and damage roots. If you must use hair colours, go in for an ammonia free one and use it sparingly, so as to minimise hair damage.

5. Avoid stress :

Easier said than done, right? But some time taken for self from your busy day can go a long way in hair care.

• Try simple 5-10 min breathing exercises and hair massaging techniques while oiling, shampooing, or while simply watching T.V. These will not only help keep hair healthy, but also will keep you cool and calm minded.
• A good night's sleep also helps smooth functioning of your body thereby promoting hair health.

These 5 simple things that you do can make a lot of difference in keeping your hair healthy.

Tried these already and nightmares still scare you? Its time to visit your doctor..