Hair loss is common in both men and women. The main causes of hair loss are aging and genetics. But this condition can also occur due to stress, hormone changes, medications, supplements, and some medical conditions (pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, alopecia areata, and thyroid problems). Men are more prone to baldness. WebMD reports that about 85 percent of men will experience major hair thinning by the time they’re 50.
Treatment usually depends on the root cause of baldness but some things can promote hair growth and help you stop hair loss. We’ve collected 15 tips that will help you deal with this condition:
1. Try rubbing green tea into hair
Rubbing green tea into hair is a good option for those with hair loss problems. Brew two bags of green tea in one cup of water and leave it to cool. Thereafter, apply it to your hair and leave it for an hour. Rinse your hair thoroughly. You need to do this regularly for a week to see any results.
2. Manage your stress levels
Stress is linked to many health conditions. Hair loss is another possible side effect of chronic stress. When you’re constantly stressed, your body enters the “flight-or-fight” mode due to which the supply of nutrients to your hair and skin is decreased. This results in hair thinning and loss. Luckily, there are lots of evidence-based ways to overcome chronic stress:
- Exercise
- Supplements (omega-3 fatty acids, valerian, green tea, Ashwagandha, and lemon balm)
- Reducing caffeine intake
- Spending time with friends and family
- Avoiding procrastination
- Yoga
- Deep breathing
3. Drink green tea
Green tea is not only beneficial as a hair mask but is also a great herbal drink for people with hair loss. Green tea is high in polyphenolic compounds that fight free radicals and stop hair loss while improving hair structure and promoting growth.
4. Prevent excessive scalp sweating
Men with oily hair are susceptible to dandruff, especially during summertime. Hot weather encourages sweating that increases your chances to lose more hair than usual. But using shampoos with aloe vera will help you keep the head cool and prevent dandruff.
Wearing a helmet in summer is another possible reason for excessive hair loss. Sweat accumulates in your pores and weakens your hair roots resulting in hair loss. Try wearing a scarf or bandanna instead.
5. Try certain vitamin supplements
Vitamin deficiencies can lead to hair loss as well. Lack of vitamin D is connected to alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss. Vitamins A and B12 promote healthy production of sebum in the scalp, while vitamin E improves blood circulation in the scalp helping hair follicles remain strong. Successful hair loss treatment often involves vitamin supplementation. But before buying any supplement, consult your doctor.
6. Get regular exercise
Physical activity is a good method to improve your overall and hair health. The answer is simple: regular exercise boosts blood circulation in your scalp which nourishes and strengthens your hair. Plus, an active lifestyle regulates the levels of androgen hormones that in excess provoke hair loss.
7. Eat more biotin-rich foods
Biotin is actually vitamin H. This is one of the B complex vitamins that helps your body turn food into energy. A biotin-rich diet and biotin supplements have been shown to slow down hair loss. If you are dealing with hair issues, try including more biotin-rich foods in your diet. Nuts, sweet potatoes, eggs, onions, and oats are good sources of vitamin H.
8. Avoid frequent heating and drying
Constant heating and drying procedures hurt your hair. Heat negatively affects hair proteins and drying contributes to weakness and fragility that causes hair loss.
9. Change your diet
Your diet plays a big role in your hair strength. Here’s what to eat to boost your scalp and hair health:
- Protein-rich foods. Keratin is a type of protein that makes up your hair. To produce enough keratin, your body needs to get enough protein. Consider eating more protein-rich foods like lentils, soybean, beans, seeds, nuts, eggs, fish, and skinless chicken breast.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce chronic inflammation and stress that, in turn, helps reduce hair loss. The best sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fatty fish and fish oil. You might also consult your healthcare provider about omega-3 supplements.
- Vegetables. Spinach, bottle gourd, raw papaya, carrot, sweet potato, squash, tomato, beans, and pumpkin are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Eating these foods will help nourish your hair follicles and stop hair loss.
- Foods high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is considered a powerful antioxidant that helps eliminate free radicals. Hair loss caused by oxidative stress (high levels of free radicals in the body) can be reduced by the consumption of vitamin C-rich foods (oranges, sweet lime, lime, strawberries, bell peppers).
10. Give up smoking
Cigarettes contain harmful free oxygen radicals and lots of dangerous toxins that weaken your immune system significantly. They also damage your hair follicles provoking hair loss.
11. Try scalp massage with essential oils
Scalp massage with essential oils is a good option for you as well. It boosts blood circulation and helps your hair follicles stay nourished and strong. You can add lavender in an almond or sesame oil.
12. Reduce your alcohol consumption
Alcohol provokes dehydration and reduces your body’s ability to absorb necessary vitamins and minerals that are good for hair growth and hair strengthening. Limiting your consumption of alcohol will help restore this ability and stimulate hair regrowth.
13. Improve your sleep
Sleep is vital for your health. It helps detox and rejuvenate your mind and body, lowers stress, and strengthens your immune system. Sleep difficulties often lead to hair loss. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to combat this problem.
14. Monitor your health status
There are lots of health disorders, especially skin-related ones that result in hair loss due to hormone changes. If you have any chronic condition, make sure to manage it properly, and see your doctor regularly.
15. Try yoga or/and breathing exercises
Yoga and breathing exercises are extremely beneficial for your immune system and hair health. Yoga poses such as Sirsasana (headstand) and Sasankasana improve blood flow to the scalp and might stimulate hair growth. You can also do breathing exercises to help your body get rid of toxins and boost hair health.