作者: Leila Tan|更新：2024年4月24日
Both men and women experience hair loss at some point in their lives. Many causes, including heredity, stress, hormonal shifts, nutritional deficiencies, and even some drugs, have been linked to its development. Hair loss can be upsetting, but there are treatments that can halt further thinning and even stimulate hair growth. The global hair loss population is in the millions. Hair thinning can be brought on by ageing, heredity, hormonal shifts, stress, or an inadequate diet, among other factors. This article will discuss the many potential causes of hair loss as well as some of the most effective treatments for reversing the condition.
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How Could I Tell If My Temporary Hair Loss is Problematic or Not?
If you are concerned about hair loss and want to determine if you are losing too much hair, you can perform a series of tests to determine the amount of hair you are losing. Your physician may recommend the following tests:
Pull test
Your doctor will gently tug on a small sample of hair to determine how many hairs are extracted. If more than a few hairs fall out, you may be experiencing hair loss.
Scalp biopsies
A small sample of your scalp may be extracted and examined under a microscope to determine the cause of your hair loss.
Blood tests
Your physician may recommend blood tests to look for nutritional deficiencies, thyroid issues, or other health conditions that could be affecting your hair loss. Examination of the hair can reveal whether hair loss is due to a genetic disorder or a deficiency in specific nutrients.
Microscopy
This test examines hair strands under a specialised microscope to determine their stage in the growth cycle.
It is essential to keep in mind that some hair loss is normal and that not all types of hair loss can be prevented or cured. If you're concerned about hair loss, it's advisable to consult a physician for individualised guidance and treatment choices.
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How to Reduce Hair Thinning? 6 Items You Need At Home That Can Promote Hair Growth
There are various natural therapies that have the ability to encourage hair growth, and attempting these remedies at home may be a low-cost and straightforward strategy to promote healthy hair growth. Due to the following factors, homemade natural remedies may be worth a try:
Natural remedies are gentler on the hair and scalp.
Several hair growth products available on the market include harsh chemicals that can harm hair and irritate the scalp. Natural medications, on the other hand, are usually composed of gentle, plant-based ingredients that are less likely to cause discomfort or harm.
Less expensive.
Commercial hair growth products can be expensive, and the costs can quickly add up. Homemade natural remedies can be created from affordable components that you may already have in your pantry, making them a more cost-effective alternative.
Customizable.
Everyone's hair is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. While preparing natural remedies at home, you can tailor the ingredients to your specific hair type and needs, increasing the possibility of positive results. Check out the following substances that should be included in your hair loss remedies plan:
1. Coconut Oil
People often use coconut oil as a natural way to stop hair loss. It has a lot of fatty acids, which can get into the hair shaft and help it grow. Putting coconut oil on your hair and scalp can help keep your hair moist and healthy, making it less likely to break.
2. Aloe Vera
Another natural cure that can help hair grow is aloe vera. It has enzymes that can help clean the scalp and help hair grow in a healthy way. Putting aloe vera gel on your scalp can help reduce inflammation and irritation, which can lead to hair loss.
3. Onion juice
Onion juice has a lot of sulphur, which can help hair grow and stop it from falling out. By putting onion juice on your scalp, you can improve blood flow and stimulate your hair follicle, which will help your hair grow in a healthy way. Apply onion juice to the scalp and leave on for 15-30 minutes before rinsing.
4. Essential Oils
It has been shown that essential oils like rosemary, lavender, and peppermint can help hair grow. You can put these oils right on your scalp or add them to your shampoo or conditioner. Just add a few drops of the essential oil you like to your shampoo or conditioner and use it as usual.
5. Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto is a plant extract that has been utilised historically for a range of health purposes, including hair growth promotion. It is believed that Saw Palmetto may prevent hair loss by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
It is known that DHT leads to hair loss in both men and women; therefore, restricting its synthesis can prevent hair loss and promote hair regrowth. Use saw palmetto supplements or use a hair product containing saw palmetto.
6. Green Tea
Green tea has been associated with numerous health advantages, including potential hair growth benefits. The catechin antioxidants included in green tea have been demonstrated to stimulate hair follicles and increase hair growth.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a specific catechin present in green tea, has been demonstrated to promote hair development. EGCG can reduce the activity of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) too. Thus, you can drink green tea or apply it topically to the scalp.
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Changes to Your Lifestyle to Have Improved Hair Growth
Changes to your lifestyle, along with your diet and nutrition, can help stop hair loss. Using gentle hair care products and avoiding tight hairstyles can help keep your hair healthy and stop you from losing hair.
If you're a Singaporean who wants to stop hair loss, you can do it by adopting a few simple habits. Although there is no statistically relevant data or survey for Singaporeans, lifestyle variables have been demonstrated to play a role in hair loss. Try making these adjustments to your daily routine:
Take in all the vitamins you need
Improve your hair's health by eating a balanced diet high in nutrients like vitamins, proteins, and minerals. Hair loss has been linked to dietary shortages, specifically iron, vitamin D, and zinc.
Some supplements, such as biotin, zinc, and vitamin D, may help improve hair health and prevent hair loss. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any supplements, as they can interact with other medications and have side effects.
Reduce stress
Lowering Stress Levels Excessive stress can affect the hair growth cycle and contribute to hair loss. Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises are all effective stress-reduction practices.
Keep a regular exercise routine
Maintaining a regular exercise routine has been shown to increase blood flow, which in turn boosts hair growth. Regularly commit to exercising for at least 30 minutes at a moderate level.
Avoid trying fancy hairstyle every day
Avoid Braids, Buns, and Ponytails Traction alopecia is caused by the persistent pulling of the hair and can be avoided by avoiding tight hairstyles. Choose a less constrained haircut.
Avoiding Harsh Hair Care Products
Shampoos and conditioners that are too harsh on the hair can cause damage and eventually lead to hair loss. Choose products that are mild and sulphate-free and that are made specifically for your hair type.
Stopping Smoking
As smoking decreases blood supply to the hair follicles, quitting is an important step in preventing hair loss. If you want healthier hair and a longer life, quitting smoking is the first step.
As shown above, you can reduce your risk of hair loss by making a few modifications to daily routines, such as adopting a healthier diet, de-stressing, and loosening up their hairstyles. Although there is no local survey or statistics on these issues, they have been demonstrated to have an impact on hair health in general.
Changing your diet and getting more exercise are both good for your hair, but they won't prevent all types of hair loss. A medical practitioner can provide you with individualised guidance and treatment alternatives if you're experiencing serious hair loss.
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Natural Hair Loss Remedies vs. Hair Loss Treatments vs. Medications for Hair Loss
Males and females of various ages frequently experience hair loss. It can be treated in a variety of ways, including with natural remedies or medication.
Even though natural therapies can stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss, some individuals may need to take medication or consult a doctor for more severe hair loss. While we have addressed natural solutions for hair loss in the previous section, here is a look at the various treatments and pharmaceuticals.
Hair transplants
The transplantation of hair follicles from one area of the scalp to another is what constitutes hair transplant surgery. This is a surgical treatment requiring local anaesthetic that can be costly.
Scalp micropigmentation
Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is a non-surgical method of hair restoration that involves tattooing the scalp with tiny needles to deposit pigment and form tiny dots that resemble hair follicles. This is used to treat multiple forms of hair loss, including male and female pattern baldness, alopecia, and thinning hair. The procedure involves two to three sessions, with each session lasting four to eight hours. Maintaining the effects requires touch-ups every two to four years.
With low dangers and side effects, SMP is a safe and effective alternative to hair transplantation. In addition, it is less expensive and requires less downtime. Nonetheless, it is vital to choose an experienced practitioner, since improper technique or inferior pigments can result in disappointing outcomes or even permanent scarring. SMP is an option for persons who want to improve the look of thinning hair or baldness without undergoing surgery or using topical medications.
Low level laser therapy
Low-level laser therapy is a non-invasive new method for promoting healthy hair growth. By increasing cell division, it accelerates the growth of hair follicles. The low-level laser device can aid in tissue healing, however the visible red laser light can penetrate the scalp. Androgenetic alopecia is the most prevalent cause of hair loss in men and women alike. It is an inherited condition that causes hair follicles to contract and become inactive prior to hair growth ceasing completely.
Several studies demonstrated that low-level laser therapy helped 85 percent of individuals who used it to halt or decrease hair loss. In 55% of cases, fresh hair growth was also observed. Nevertheless, these outcomes are only observable following numerous treatments.
Medications to regrow hair
There are several other methods to promote hair regrowth, including topical treatments and pills that are taken orally, and people can select between topical drugs and oral meds. Common treatments for hair loss include minoxidil and finasteride, which are given topically to the scalp. Minoxidil is a vasodilator that increases blood flow to the hair follicles, whereas finasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can contribute to hair loss.
With oral drugs, such as finasteride, hair growth might also be affected. Several oral drugs, like spironolactone and dutasteride, may be used off-label for the treatment of hair loss. Below is a somewhat extensive summary of the most commonly used medications:
Minoxidil
Directly applied to the scalp, this is a therapy for hair loss. The FDA has approved it for both men and women, and it has assisted some individuals in growing more hair.
Finasteride
Oral treatment for male pattern baldness with a pill approved by the FDA. It functions by preventing the production of DHT, a hormone that can cause hair loss.
Corticosteroids
Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids can be injected into the scalp to treat alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss.
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Natural Remedies, Treatments or Medications: Which Method Can Encourage Hair Growth Better?
Both natural treatments and medications for hair loss can be effective, but they work in different ways. Natural treatments are usually safer and have fewer side effects than medications, but they may not work as well for some people. On the other hand, medication can be more effective, but it may also have more side effects.
Losing your hair can be upsetting, but every person has got to find something that are suitable for their body. Some people find that medications like minoxidil, finasteride, and corticosteroids are more effective than natural treatments like scalp massage, essential oils, and aloe vera, and some find new hair growth treatments like low level laser treatment allowed them to increase hair density eventually. In the end, the best way to enhance hair quality and avoid unwanted hair growth will depend on the person and what is causing their hair loss.
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Last Few Words
Hair loss is a common problem that can be caused by a number of things, such as genes, changes in hormones, and bad nutrition. There are many ways to treat hair loss, but natural remedies like coconut oil, aloe vera, and essential oils can also help hair grow back in a healthy way. You can stop hair loss and keep your hair healthy and strong by making changes to how you live and how you care for your hair!
