HAIRFALL AND EARLY GREYING OF HAIR

HAIRFALL AND EARLY GREYING OF HAIR

The hair root is encased in a follicle that is nourished by blood vessels. A youthful scalp contains approximately 100,000 to 200,000 hairs. Normally, an average person loses about 50-100 strands daily and the average hair grows only half an inch per month. Excessive loss or absence of hair is called as 'alopecia or balding'. Common causes of hairfall and early pecacu are-inadequate nutrition, heredity, stress, high fever, hormonal imbalance, side effect of some medication (cytotoxic agents, anticoagulants, antithyroid drug s and oral contraceptives) and certain illnesses (like anemia, thyroid disorders, autoimmune disorders, etc.). Alopecia areata appears as sharply defined non-inflamed bald patches on the scalp. Alopecia totalis is a condition where there is total or complete loss of the scalp hair and alopecia universalis signifies a complete loss of hair all over the body. Avoid massaging the scalp vigorously. Massage the scalp gently with the fingertips. This increases the circulation and thus helps provide proper nutrition (through a blood circulation) to the hair follicle. Comb or brush the hair when it is dry since grooming it when wet can lead to breaking of the hair. Do not blow-dry the hair on a high setting.

SOME HOME REMEDIES
1. Increase the intake of alfalfa sprouts, barley (jau) and oats, wheat germ, fish, meat, liver, cheese, milk, ghee, butter, eggs, fresh fruit (especially citrus fruits) or vegetable juices, green vegetables, parsley, broccoli, green pepper, peas, beans, prunes (dried plums), some berries and black currants. Avoid salt, spicy, hot and pungent food as far as possible. Taking a well -balanced diet with adequate proteins and iron, consisting especially of servings of seeds, nuts, grains, fresh vegetables, fish, chicken and fruits.

2. Washing the hair with a paste of cooked black gram (urad dal) and fenugreek (methi) lengthens the hair.

3. Applying aloe vera gel on the scalp is useful for hair growth.

4. Apply fresh coconut milk to the hair roots all over the scalp twice a week for increasing the hair growth. Coconut milk is prepared by grinding the coconut shavings and squeezing it well to remove the milk.

5. A mixture of lettuce and spinach (palak) juice, atleast half a litre daily helps to increase the growth of hair.

6. Lemon juice when taken internally or rubbed on the scalp at night proves to be useful to reduce the hairfall.

7. Drink a glass of water containing one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Also apply vinegar to the bald spots with the help of a toothbrush.

8. Grapefruit (chakotra) juice if taken daily gives some relief.

9. Make a mixture of half a cup of castor oil (arandi), one cup of olive oil and two cups of coconut oil. Heat this and then store it and apply it after it cools.

10. Apply a sliced onion over the bald spots in the evening and wash it the next morning.

11. Using Indian gooseberry (amla) oil, made by boiling the dry Indian gooseberry fruits in coconut oil, is an effective remedy for stimulating hair growth. A mixture of an equal quantity of fresh Indian gooseberry juice and limejuice, used as a shampoo, also stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss.

12. Grind a few pieces of liquorice (mulethi) in milk with a pinch of saffron and this paste is then applied over the bald patches at night before going to bed.

13. A fine paste is made from pigeon pea (arhar dal) or red gram and applied regularly on bald patches.

14. Local application of til oil helps one get rid of early pecacu.

15. Fresh leaf juice of amaranth (chauli) when applied to the hair will promote hair growth and make the hair softer.

16. Massage a beaten egg  on the head and then rinse it out and shampoo it.

17. Washing the hair with a decoction of the leaves of the Margosa (Neem) tree will stop the hair from falling and stabilize its blackness. It will also kill the lice and make the hair longer.

18. Henna leaves (mehndi) are ground to a paste and this is then boiled in mustard oil and the darkish oil is then filtered and used to blacken grey hair. The paste is applied to the hair and washed away after a few hours to dye the hair.

19. Make a mixture from two tablespoons of vodka and one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of onion juice and apply it on the scalp daily.

20. The seeds of lime and black pepper seeds are ground and made into a paste by adding it to plain water or ginger juice. This paste is applied on the bald  patches once  or twice daily for a few weeks to encourage growth of new hair

21. Coconut milk is applied all over the scalp and massaged into the hair roots. Coconut milk is prepared by grinding the coconut shavings and squeezing them well.In pure coconut oil, the following ingredients are boiled-dry pieces of gooseberry, a few crushed capsules of Harir with red hibiscus flowers till the solid matter turns black. The oil is filtered and stored and is to be applied twice daily for a few months.

22. Crush raw fruit of Indian gooseberry (amla) and apply over the head and allow it to dry for a few hours and then wash it off. This is a useful method for preventing premature pecacu of hair.

23. Increase the intake of chutney made from curry leaves for hair growth since these leaves provide good strength and vitality to hair roots.

24. Wash the hair with concentrated tea extract twice a week. This will gradually change the hair color from brown to black.

25. In the olden days it was said that rubbing the nails of your palms with each other for three minutes continuously at least thrice daily helps hair growth.

Hair removal Methods

Hair removal Methods

Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commons

Hair removal has been around for centuries, perhaps, some contend, since the dawn of humankind. Tools once thought to be used for scraping fur from animal skins were discovered to contain human hair and are now believed to have been used as crude razors for shaving the face 20,000 years ago. Threading and sugaring, both ancient methods used in the Middle East, are still used today. Ancient Egyptians waxed hair off with beeswax and sported clean, shaven faces as status symbols. Ancient Sumerians and Romans tweezed eyebrows and facial hair. In the modern United States, people continue to develop and improve hair-removal methods for home use, whether through improved shaving tools, depilatories, or home-waxing products.

Before choosing a method it may be a good idea to at least know what the options are.  Here is a list of the various methods for hair removal.
Summary of Hair Removal Methods 

Shaving: This is the most common, it’s the cheapest and it’s the one that has the least amount of lasting effects.  Most people that shave must shave every day and sometimes twice depending on their tolerance and speed of re-growth.  Whether with an electric razor or blade –we will not distinguish here.

Creams: A common product like Nair on the body (never on the face) can remove hair for a longer period than shaving.  The creams penetrate further into the hair follicle and remove all of the hair where shaving does not.  There are also prescription creams that can be used on the face but seems like a lot of effort and cost so we won’t address those in this guide just wanted to acknowledge that they exist.

Epilators: There are many epilators on the market - these are electric devices that rip the hair from the root.  They hurt, but they are as good as waxing.  So they can last for 4-6 weeks before you experience re-growth.

Waxing: This is the process of spreading hot wax on your body and then taking strips to place on top of the wax that then adheres to the hair and to the strip. Then you pull the strip removing the wax and hair from your skin. This can hurt

Home Laser: These are temporary devices contrary to what the infomercials may tell you.   They are epensive and the laser does have a life to it so eventually it will have to be replaced. They basically accomplish the same results as Epilators and waxing

Tweezing: Yes people tweeze.  This is more commonly done on brows.  There is no difference in threading and tweezing.  It’s just a technique.  They both are effective. Some people do tweeze their body or face for a stray hair here or there.

Professional Laser: This is using one of the many laser methods at a clinic.  This has some lasting effects but does not permanently remove hair.

Electrolysis: Permanently removes hair if there are the right techniques and the right number of treatments employed.

Falling of Hair - Home Remedies

Falling of Hair - Home Remedies

Loss of hair at a very tender age has become a common disorder these days. It causes a great deal of concern to persons affected by loss of hair, especially Indian women who regard good hair growth with thick long hair as a sign of beauty.Hair is formed in minute pockets in the skin, called follicles. An upgrowth at the base of the folic, called the papilla, actually produces hair ; when a special group of cells turn amino acids into keratin, a type of protein of which hair is made. The rate of production of these protein " building blocks." determines hair growth. The average growth rate is about 1.2 cm per month , growing faster on women between the ages 15 and 30.

Causes
The most important cause of loss of hair is inadequate nutrition. Even a partial lack of almost any nutrient may cause hair to fall. Persons lacking vitamin B6 lose their hair and those deficient in folic acid often become completely bald. But the hair grows normally after the liberal intake of these vitamins.

Another important cause of falling of hair is stress such as worry, anxiety and sudden shock. Stress leads to a severe tension in the skin of the scalp. This adversely affects the supply of essential nutrition required for the healthy growth of the hair. It makes the roots of the hair weak, resulting in the falling of hair. Unclean condition of the scalp can also cause loss of hair. It weakens the hair roots by blocking the pores with the collected dirt. Heredity is another predisposing factor which may cause hair to fall.

The healthy condition of the hair depends, to a very large extent , on the intake of sufficient amounts of essential nutrients in the daily diet. Hair is made of protein and adequate protein is necessary for luxuriant hair. Women require 60 grams, men 80 to 90, adolescent boys and girls 80 to 100 grams of protein. It is supplied by milk, buttermilk, yogurt,soyabean, eggs, cheese, meat and fish. A lack of vitamin A may cause the hair to be caurse and ugly. A deficiency of some of the B vitamins, of iron, copper and iodine may cause hair disorders like falling of hair and premature greying.

Home Remedies
1. Several home remedies have been found useful in the prevention and treatment of the loss of the hair. The most effective among these remedies is a vigorous rubbing of the scalp with fingers after washing the hair with cold water. The scalp should be rubbed vigorously till it starts to tingle with the heat. It will activate the sebaceous glands and energise the circulation of blood in the affected area, making the hair grow healthy.

2. Amla oil, prepared by boiling dry pieces of amla in coconut oil, is considered a valuable hair tonic for enriching hair growth. A mixture of equal quantity of fresh amla juice and lime juice used as a shampoo stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss.

3. Lettuce ( salad-ka-patta) is useful in preventing hair loss through deficiencies. A mixture of lettuce and spinach juice is said to help the growth of hair if it is drunk to the extent of half a litre a day. The juice of alfalfa ( lecerne) in combination with carrot and lettuce juice, taken daily also helps the growth of hair to a remarkable extent. The combination of these juices is rich in elements which are particularly useful for the growth of hair. While preparing alfalfa juice, the leaves of the plant only may be used when it can be obtained fresh.

4. Daily application of refined coconut oil mixed with limewater and lime juice on the hair, prevents loss of hair and lengthens them. Application of the juice of green coriander leaves on the head is also considered beneficial. Amaranth, known as chaulai-ka-saag in the vernacular, is another valuable remedy. Application of its fresh leaf-juice helps the growth of the hair and keeps them soft.

5. Mustard oil, boiled with henna leaves, is useful in healthy growth of hair. About 250 grams of mustard oil should be boiled in tinned basin. A little quantity of henna leaves should be gradually put in this oil till about 60 grams of these leaves are thus burnt in the oil. The oil should then be filtered through a cloth and stored well in a bottle. A regular massage of the head with this oil will produce abundant hair.

6. Another effective home remedy for loss of hair is the application of coconut milk all over the scalp and massaging it into the hair loss. It will nourish the hair and promote hair growth. The coconut milk is prepared by grinding the coconut shavings and squeezing it well. Washing the hair with a paste of cooked black gram dal, (urad dal) and fenugreek ( methi) lengthens the hair. A fine paste made from pigeon pea or red gram ( arhar dal ) can also be applied regularly with beneficial results on bald patches. Regular use of castor oil as hair oil helps the luxuriant growth of the hair.

7. Certain home remedies have also been found useful in case of patchy loss of hair. The seeds of lime and black pepper seeds, ground to get a fine paste, is one of the valuable remedies. This paste applied on the patches, has mildly irritant action. This increases blood circulation in the affected area and stimulates hair growth. The paste should be applied twice a day for a few weeks.

8. Another useful remedy for patchy loss of hair is the paste of liquorice (mulethi) made by grinding the pieces in milk with a pinch of saffron. This paste should be applied over the bald patches in the night before going to bed.


9. Natural juices: You can rub your scalp with either garlic juice, onion juice or ginger juice. Leave it on overnight and wash it thoroughly in the morning.

10. Get a head massage: Massaging your scalp for a few minutes daily will help stimulate circulation. Good circulation in the scalp keeps hair follicles active. Circulation may be improved through massage by using a few drops of lavender or bay essential oil in an almond or sesame oil base.

11.  Antioxidants: Apply warm green tea (two bags brewed in one cup of water) on your scalp and leave this mixture on for an hour and then rinse. Green tea contains antioxidants which prevent hair loss and boost hair growth.

12.  Practice meditation: Believe it or not, most of the times, the root cause for hair loss is stress and tension. Meditation can help in reducing that and restore hormonal balance.

Hair Care for Men

Hair Care for Men 

Most of the men's hair care products like shampoos and conditioners are designed especially for men.
Cleansing and conditioning your hair will ensure healthy hair and clean scalp.
There are various types of hair care products for men. They are:
Hair Cleansing Products 
Hair Conditioners 
Hair Remedies 
Hair Nutrition Products 

Tips for Hair Care for Men 
Basic Scalp Care 
A healthy scalp is required for good hair growth. Use a mild shampoo to clean your scalp . It is better if you use an acid based shampoo instead of alkaline based shampoos. Use various hair care products like shampoo with contains pH of 4.5 – 5.5. Shampoos with Sodium Myrtle Sulfate are more suitable for the hair. Use an exfoliating scrub once or twice a week to get rid of dead skin or dirt from your scalp. A good massage and a good moisturizing conditioner keep the scalp healthy.

Always dry your hair before combing 
Most of the cases, men suffer from hair damage because they try to dry off hair with towel. The point is wet hair is prone to damages and suspected to hair problems. While drying hair with towel, the hair is harshly rubbed that causes damage to cuticle and results in frizzing of hair and split ends. The proper way to dry your hair is to ensure that you have squeezed out the excess water and gently stroking in hair growing direction. Remember, depending on your hair cut drying process varies from person to person.

Avoid chemical treatments 
Perming or coloring hair is a part of hair style for men. But, it is best to avoid these as it contains harsh chemicals that end up damaging hair and making it rough, dry and unmanageable. But there are situations where these kinds of treatments become necessary. Thus, it is advisable to seek the help of good professional hair stylist. At present there are many men hair care products are available safe to use and made from less or zero chemicals. The result from trained professional is always better as it looks natural and not an artificial one. Your hair will also remain safe and will not suffer from any kind of damages. Use natural hair care products which are devoid of harmful chemicals. Natural hair care products reduce hair loss and increases hair beauty. Diets containing vitamins and minerals are also required for healthy hair.

Select the right tools for hair care: 
Always use the right hair care tools. Instead of using a narrow comb, select one that comes with wide tooth. Make sure that the end points are rounded and not sharp ones. Comb your wet hair with wide toothed comb as it will prevent your hair from breakage and help untangling them without causing any kind of damage. Use a brush which has natural bristles and a blow dryer to style your hair. There are various type of hair style products like gels, hairsprays and mousses. These products help you to maintain your hairstyle all throughout the day.

Trim your hair on regular interval 
Trimming keeps your hair healthy and nice and helps in enhancing the healthy growth of hair. Trim after every three months or twice in a year. In fact the interval of hair trimming is dependent on the texture, conditions and extent of damage of your hair. Visit your stylist as this concerned person will be able to guide you in right way about trimming.

Eat healthy and follow sound lifestyle 
A healthy hair reflects your eating habits and the kind of life you lead. It is advisable to take healthy diet and exercise regularly to help the body in getting rid of toxins. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, drink adequate water and try to reduce stress from your life. This will result not only in healthy hair but also overall good health.
Apply a hair oil containing Vitamin E. This oil has vitalizing effects on hair. Oils like rosemary and are also good for hair growth. It is better to brush your hair daily before going to bed. Taking care of your hair will help you to get rid of hair problems like hair loss, dandruff and also help to enhance hair growth.

Hair Care Tips I

Hair Care Tips I

DO NOT 

1. Do not apply chemicals to your hair without a consultation from a professional stylist. 
2. Do not brush, scratch or shampoo hair and scalp before any chemical service. 
3. Never apply a relaxer and a tint on the same day or week. 
4. Do not re-apply a relaxer before six weeks has elapsed.  Do not re-apply permanent wave before eight to twelve weeks has elapsed. 
5. Do not use the so called “no lye relaxer”.   In the long term, they will damage your hair and your child’s hair too! 
6. Do not press and curl chemically treated hair.  Stop allowing blow and go salons to use irons on your hair. 
7. Never blow dry wet hair.  Towel-dry your hair first.  Apply setting lotion or leave in conditioner.  Then sit under a dryer until all moisture is absorbed.  Allowing hair cuticle to close.  Then you can blow dry your hair on a medium setting. 
8. Never use sponge rollers-they will absorb all the moisture and conditioners from your hair. 
9. When sleeping do not place rollers where your head will touch the pillow.  Stress caused by the roller will tear and weaken the hair.  Set the top of your head.  Wrap your hair around your head or pin clip your hair.  
10. Do not use plastic brushes-natural or boar-bristle brushes are best. 
11. Never wear a plastic cap to bed if you have a permanent wave, your scalp and hair will become rancid. 
12. Do not wear wool scarves or hats without a silk lining. 
13. Do not use tight uncovered rubber bands on your hair. 
14. Do not add dead hair, synthetic hair or wool to your hair.  Every head of hair has potential with the right treatment.  Find out what yours is before you do more damage! 
15. Do not have a chemical service after the seventh month of pregnancy. 
16. Do not use any chemical on your hair before any major surgery. 

DO 

1. Do have the proper hair analysis to determine the right products for your hair texture. 
2. Conditioning is mandatory every time you have a chemical. 
3. Allow a six-month interval or three inches of new growth between application of a relaxer and a permanent wave. 
4. If your scalp is sensitive to chemical service, apply oil to the scalp. 
5. Advise your stylist of any medications you are taking (specifically tranquilizers or diet pills) before a chemical service. 
6. Do have your hair shaped or ends trimmed after every chemical service to avoid split ends. 
7. Do sleep on a satin pillow case-cotton robs the hair of moisture.  Or wrap your hair in a silk wrap. 
8. Do rinse out chlorine and salt water after swimming. 
9. Do cover your hair when spending time in the sun. 
10. Do shampoo your hair after a workout or strenuous exercise.  The salt from perspiration will erode your hair.  If you work out more than once a week consult your stylist for your particular needs. 
11. Do cover your hair when you go in the sauna.  You can leave your hair uncovered in a steam room. 
12. Do use conditioning shampoos and creme conditioners on natural hair and very dry hair. 
13. Always maintain a balanced diet with exercise for a healthy head of hair. 

Hair Care Tips for Braids & Twists 

1. Hair should have 3 to 4 weeks of new growth prior to braiding. 
2. Spray braids at scalp area with Better Braids. 
3. Twisted hair should be shampooed and conditioned every two weeks. 
4. Do not leave braids in longer than two months. 
5. After removing braids leave undone overnight and oil the hair with jojoba or coconut oil. 
6. After you take the braids out, get a protein and set the hair. 

Aurvedic Treatment For Hair Loss

Aurvedic Treatment For Hair Loss

The causes for these hair conditions are: -  
Excess of Pitta dosha in the body is the chief cause of hair problems. Pitta is increased by excessive intake of tea, coffee, alcohol, meats and excessive smoking. Pitta is also aggravated by eating too much fried, oily, greasy, spicy, sour, and acidic foods.

Intake of too many chemical medicines, low blood circulation, anaemia, general weakness after disease, stress, anxiety, and mental tension are also prime causes of hair loss.

Chronic diseases like typhoid fever, presence of dandruff or lice and hormonal imbalance also cause hair loss.  So watch out carefully for these reasons! You may be overdoing one of them, and thus losing your beautiful hair.


TREATMENT:

1. The first step is to locate the root cause in your diet or lifestyle that may be increasing the Pitta dosha. Once you locate it, try to give up or at least reduce the diet, habit, or activity responsible for increasing Pitta.

2. Always use a natural shampoo or soap to clean the hair. As most soaps and shampoos have chemicals, they might be the cause of your problem. Usually the chemicals have a heating effect, and increase Pitta locally. Amala (embilica officinalis), Shikakai (Acacia concinna) are very commonly used in India for washing the hair.

3. Oiling and massaging of scalp is very beneficial for stopping the hair loss. Use coconut oil or mustard oil at least three times in a week. Certain medicated oils like ‘Mahabhringraj oil’, ‘Amala oil’, and ‘Arnica oil’ are very useful. Put oil on the scalp, and massage gently in the roots of the hair.

4. The person should maintain a regular bowel movement everyday. In case of constipation, a mild natural laxative can be taken. Triphala, an Ayurvedic herbal powder, is also useful.

5. The diet should contain more green leafy vegetables, salads, milk, fruits and sprouts. Take more proteins, milk, buttermilk, yeast, wheat germ, soybean and vitamin A.

6. Regular physical exercise is very beneficial as it helps in balancing the aggravated doshas.

7. A special Ayurvedic preparation made from Bhringraj (Eclipta elba), Amala, corals, iron and black sesame seeds is very useful, and even stops the greying of hair.

8. Rub your scalp vigorously after washing the hair. It increases the blood circulation, and activates the sebaceous glands.

9. A mixture of lettuce and spinach juice is good to drink to induce hair growth. The juice of alfalfa mixed with that of carrot, and lettuce juice is also good to take.

10. Daily application of coconut oil mixed with lime juice on the hair is also beneficial. Applying juice of green coriander leaves on the head is also good.

Fenugreek seeds

11. Washing the hair with a paste of cooked Urad dal (black beans) and fenugreek (methi) 2-3 times a week, is also good.

12. A paste of licorice made by grinding it in milk can be applied in the bald patches. It induces hair growth. A paste of seeds of lemon and black pepper may also be applied on the bald patches. These remedies are worth trying and will solve your hair problems .