7 Ways to Manage Hair Loss for Men and Women

Apart from mental wellness, the physical well-being of your body also contributes to healthy hair.

As a teenager, I loved flipping through the fairy tale, “Rapunzel” while admiring her luscious, flowing, glossy hair. I wanted my hair to be like hers! As I grew older, I realized healthy hair can be quite a fictional asset. Scalp hair needs to be tended to on an ongoing basis—or else you face the trauma of split ends, dryness, frizziness, and hair loss.

Furthermore, it is not just women who have bad hair days—even men go through the trauma of losing hair. According to Mayo Clinic, “Hair loss can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications. Anyone — men, women and children can experience hair loss.”

An additional factor contributing to hair loss is increasing stress levels. The mantra of the current lifestyle is “being on your toes” all the time—the busier you are, more productive and successful you will be. Bingo! But one never realizes how high anxiety contributes to a multitude of other symptoms, including hair loss. Stress kicks out hair strands in early growth stages, and mental pressure does not allow new hair to grow at all.

Apart from mental wellness, the physical well-being of your body also contributes to healthy hair. Having a relaxed attitude, following a healthy diet and taking care of hygiene are three primary factors to focus on. Here are seven ways to take care of yourself to prevent hair loss.

1. A Protein Rich Diet

Like skin, hair is often the barometer of good health. Protein is the building block of your hair. Protein-rich foods keep your follicles strong and prevent hair loss. Make vegetables like spinach and broccoli a part of your regular diet. They are filled with vitamins A and C, which help produce sebum—a scalp oil that works as a natural hair conditioner.

2. Regular Hair Massages

Rubbing, kneading and applying pressure to the scalp with fingers and hands increases blood flow to the surface of the skin—and leverages hair growth. Use herbal oils to get maximum benefit from hair massages.

3. Try Home Remedies

Try some home remedies like Amla (Indian gooseberry)—Indians have been using this sour, bitter fruit in hair masks, homemade shampoos and conditioners for ages in order to attain healthy hair. There are plenty of other such anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, exfoliating herbal products too, including aloe vera, fenugreek, and hibiscus, to name a few.

4. Keep Your Hair Clean

Pollution, dust and sweat can cause damage to your hair, so it is vital that you wash your hair regularly and not allow dandruff to grow on your scalp. When you apply shampoo, focus on your scalp. But when you are using conditioners or hair lotions, concentrate on the ends of your hair strands.

5. Use Herbal Shampoos

Be selective in the shampoos that you use—specifically, try to use hair products that have less chemicals. Hair is very sensitive and must be nurtured, so protect them from strong cosmetic brands that may make your hair shiny for the time being—but later cause damage. For example, the Patanjali or Herbal Essences range of hair products are made with the goodness of natural ingredients and are beneficial in preventing hair loss.

6. Avoid Chemical Treatments

It is easy to succumb to modern hair treatments that promise stylish hair. However, do not expose your hair to excessive blow drying, ironing or color treatments. These can make you look hip for just an evening party, first date or a get-together, but in the long run, they take away the moisture from your hair, leaving it dehydrated in a brittle, dry, rigid state.

7. Use a Wide-Tooth Comb to Remove Tangles

Brushes and combs can easily snap your hair. So, be careful to not excessively brush your hair—be nice to your hair, and comb gently. Also, avoid brushing wet hair as in a wet state, hair is pretty elastic and susceptible to breakage.