Sunday, August 14, 2011

Hair Loss Treatments: Which Ones Are Worth Purchasing?

First, hair loss is not some kind of sickness. It is normal to be bald. What people don’t like is the appearance of a man that has lost hair. Some lose their hair only to some extent while others lose almost all of their hair. Still, for some, it starts earlier while for others it starts later. And for some, the rate of losing hair is faster as compared to those that lose hair very slowly. This condition of hair loss is hereditary and if your father has it, you are a good candidate to have it. Though we cannot say it happens 100 percent of the time.

So there are lots of hair loss treatments on the market, but which one should you choose? There are topical and oral medications for alopecia or hair loss. The foremost of which are finasteride and minoxidil. Finasteride is an oral drug prescribed for male pattern baldness. It is taken once a day. Users of finasteride have reported success in regrowing their hair; however, there are also reports about harmful side effects. Some men shared that they have experienced impotency, decreased sex drive, and testicular pains from using finasteride. I’d say that that’s a pretty harsh trade-off for regaining a full head of hair.

There’s also the option of herbal hair loss products, that is, shampoos and conditioners formulated with plant extracts and organic-based ingredients. After using it for some days, hair is noticed to be smoother and shinier. Also the scalp is rid of dryness, itchiness, or dandruff, if any.

There are many hair loss sufferers who have opted for the topical drug minoxidil. Minoxidil was initially used for hypertension, and hirsutism (hair growth) was a side effect of the treatment. So this drug was manufactured for hypertension but when the drug manufacturers found about this side effect of hair growth, they made a topical cream of that drug. Now it is available everywhere. Users of minoxidil have experienced remarkable growth of hair, but some have shared that they experienced negative side effects such as swelling of the face, itching of the scalp, and dizziness.

What about hair transplantation. It is much more expensive than any other hair loss treatment. Only a few people resort to this treatment due to the cost and expenses it entail. For treatments that are highly effective but not as expensive, you can opt for herbs such as aloe vera and essential oils from jojoba, lavender, and rosemary.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Steps to Take in Preventing Further Hair Loss

Hair loss may be associated with simple causes like bad hair care products, stress or severe medical conditions like hypo/hyperthyroidism. Lack of vitamins, inadequate nutrition, genetic causes and inadequate hair care can all result in hair loss. Here are some hair loss remedies in order to avoid baldness naturally:

Avoid shampoos and other hair products which contain alcohol and other chemicals. They can cause the hair strands to lose their structure which will weaken them and cause them to fall out. Anytime that you shampoo your hair you should use scalp-friendly non-drying shampoo that frees your hair of residue buildup.

Take an extra couple of minutes to massage your scalp while in the shower or bath. You can also use warm olive oil, or oil specifically designed for scalp use. The massage will stimulate the hair follicles, promoting hair growth. A scalp massage is a well-known home remedy that can do wonders to your hair loss condition. Every time you give your scalp a massage, you will get increased blood circulation to the area. More blood circulation in the scalp enriches your hair follicles.

Saw palmetto is in 90 percent of all the natural hair loss treatments that are on the market. It has become popular as a hair supplement because of its reputation for increasing prostate health by reducing DHT levels. Prostatic disease and hair loss are linked together in many different ways. Therefore, many herbalists have started to market saw palmetto as a treatment for hair problem.

Aloe vera is a tried and tested remedy in the Caribbean as well as India. It promotes healthy hair growth and also prevents hair loss. Aloe vera balances the pH level of the scalp and cleans the pores as well. It also soothes and heals the scalp. It can be used along with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. A number of herbal shampoos and conditioners have aloe vera as an ingredient.

Iron-rich food prevent hair fall and help hair growth. Iron helps to produce hemoglobin that ensures the scalp is getting a good amount of blood flow with required oxygen which is vital for regeneration of healthy hair. Raisins, green leafy vegetables, dates, and eggs contain a lot of iron.

Finasteride was originally marketed as a treatment for prostate problems. Since hair growth was a side effect of the treatment, it was marketed for that too. Saw palmetto can help lower the amount of DHT your body produces; it can work as well as finasteride and give your body no harmful side effects.

Natural oils are thinning hair remedies which provide protein and other nutrients to make the strands stronger. Alma oil, olive oil, castor oil, and coconut oil are all good for the strands and help stimulate growth. Saw palmetto is best known as a treatment for prostate enlargement. However, this North American native herb has become a popular hair loss remedy. Coconut milk has a high nutritious value; hence, it is effective to remove dullness and imparts a shiny complexion. However, one does not have to drink it to induce hair growth.

Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron, so vitamin C–rich foods like ripe fruits should be included in your diet. Orange, lemon, and strawberry are rich in vitamin C.