For any woman, her hair is everything. It makes her feel good, look good and for some, it’s a safety blanket. Back in March when we had all begun quarantining at home, the future didn’t seem so bleak. But if you look at the way of the world (leave alone our country and city) right now, it’s natural that people are freaking out.
Although I have to say, that out of everything happening, the number of questions we’ve gotten about hair fall is crazy! While it’s funny but also true, hair fall is a first world problem, ‘yall! So, I asked Dr Sadhana Deshmukh about the whys, whens and hows we can remedy or reverse the rate of our hair falling out. Scroll below and check it out:
What you need to know about hair fall and the growth process:
Our hair follows a hair cycle which consists of three phases. First is the Anagen phase which is also known as the growth phase and almost 90% of hair is in this phase. The growth phase lasts for an average of 3-5 years allowing rapid hair growth before hair follicles become dormant. The second phase being the Catagen phase wherein the hair is a transition phase approximately 1-2% of hair are in this phase and it lasts for almost 2-3 weeks. In this process, the hair stops growing and is detached from the blood supply such hair can be called the club hair.
The Telogen phase is the shedding phase and 8-10% of hair is in this phase for about 3 months. This phase starts with hair resting in the roots while new hair grows beneath it. After this, the resting club hairs fall out to allow the new hair to come through the hair follicle.
During hair fall there is an increase in shedding phase called Telogen Effluvium and one starts losing a lot of hair strands. To stop this hair from falling is very important as it can lead to hair thinning if it isn’t controlled. For maximum hair growth, it is required for hair to stay in the Anagen phase for as long as possible by indulging in a healthy diet and lifestyle, opting for products that nourish your hair while avoiding any unnecessary damage that may hamper the hair growth cycle.
Why have people experienced more hair fall in this lockdown period?
Stress is the most important factor—it can be mental, physical or nutritional stress. Stress leads to micro-inflammation at the root of the hair and weakening of the hair and eventually causes shedding.
Stress and anxiety tend to push the hair follicles into the resting phase, leading to a stop in the production of new strands…Thus further increasing hair fall. Maintenance of hair hygiene is imperative too…Not being able to cleanse the hair on a regular basis can lead to greasiness and product build-up. Another factor is humidity and sweat that can further degrade the hair health.
What can someone do to fix the amount of hair fall?
*Considering no product or heating tools have been used in quarantine.
Nutritional therapy is needed under the guidance of your trusted dermatologist or a nutritionist. Having a high-protein diet can enhance the health of the hair. Opt for supplements that contain Biotin, Viviscal, Omega-3 fish oil, calcium, zinc and Vitamin B12 to give your hair the required boost.
Additionally, increasing your water intake allows the body to flush out the toxins and helps in improving the condition of the hair. Using natural oils such as argan, coconut, and almond (that are rich in acids and vitamins) can fix the dryness. Massaging the scalp can induce blood circulation and enhance hair growth.
Any trusted at-home remedies or products one can use to balance their hair fall?
Along with a balanced and healthy diet, one can opt for one of these remedies to manage hair fall:
- Egg Masks: They’re rich in sulphur, phosphorous and protein, and it makes an excellent hair fall treatment at home. Try mixing one egg white with one teaspoon of olive oil and honey and apply it from the root to the tips. Rinse the same after 20 minutes with a mild shampoo.
- Amla masks: They’re good for strengthening the hair follicles as they are rich in Vitamin C. Mix a paste of amla powder and lime juice and apply it on the scalp for healthy hair.
- Aloe Vera: It boosts hair growth and improves the health of the scalp. Extract the pulp from plant and apply it directly from the scalp to the till for around 45 minutes.
While choosing products one should try and opt chemical free and sulphate free products while keeping the hair type
under consideration.
Well, there you have it… How to minimise hair fall and get healthy and nourished hair!
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