How To Reduce Hair Loss? 7 Must-Read Tips
While it's difficult to come up with a close estimation of how many hair loss sufferers there are worldwide, experts worldwide estimate that more than 80% of men and about 50% of women will experience significant hair loss in their lifetime.
Many are stumped about how to reduce hair loss. After all, experiencing thinning hair can lead to losing confidence in oneself or could indicate underlying medical conditions.
If you're part of that statistic, you've probably tried hundreds of hair loss treatments to no avail. You're probably also unsatisfied with the explanation that your hair loss is simply due to genetic factors and hormonal changes.
But fret not. Most cases of hair loss can be addressed by identifying the root cause. Not all hair loss is permanent. Some cases are temporary and can be addressed with the proper hair treatment for hair loss. Let's get into it.
1. Change Your Diet
Fond of snacking on fast food? How about sweets? You may want to think twice after discovering that your diet may be a significant factor in your hair loss.
For instance, refined sugars can increase inflammation in the body. A diet high in this ingredient can spike your sugar levels, causing an inflammatory response and leading to chronic inflammation of the hair follicles. This can lead to significant hair loss and decreased hair density over time.
High consumption of refined carbs is another reason for your hair loss. High carbohydrate intake can lead to hormonal imbalance, causing insulin spikes. In turn, this can increase androgen (male hormones) levels in males, shrinking hair follicles and shortening the hair growth cycle.
So what should you eat instead? A diet rich in protein in vitamin D. A study conducted in 2017 discovered that several participants with hair loss problems recorded low protein and amino acid intake.
While more studies are needed to determine how a nutrient deficiency can lead to hair loss, a protein-rich diet can help prevent accelerated hair loss. Some examples include:
- Eggs
- Berries
- Fatty fish
- Sweet potatoes
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Avocados
- Beans and peas
- Low-fat dairy products
- Chicken
Another study points to the role of vitamin D deficiency in hair loss. Vitamin D is both a hormone and a vitamin which plays a significant role in the hair cycle.
Researchers concluded from the study that there is an inverse relationship between vitamin D and non-scarring alopecia areata like telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and trichotillomania.
Again, more conclusive studies are needed to identify vitamin D's benefits to hair growth and preventing permanent hair loss. But eating vitamin D-rich food won't hurt. Below are some examples.
- Liver
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Sardines
- Mackerel
- Fortified dairy products
- Orange juice
- Cereals
- Margarine
2. Apply Herbal Hair Growth Paste
A herbal hair growth paste is a natural hair care product made from a blend of herbs and other ingredients believed to promote hair growth and ensure healthy hair.
Herbal pastes are generally applied to the scalp and hair and then left for some time before rinsing. The ingredients for herbal hair pastes may vary. But common ones include herbs like amla, bhringraj, hibiscus, and neem, as well as oils, such as coconut or olive oil, and other nourishing ingredients like yoghurt or honey.
Try out our all-natural Herbal Hair Growth Paste in Singapore. Trichologist-formulated and made with 100% Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs, it has been proven to stop hair loss and promote healthy growth.
What's Included in Two Herbs' Herbal Hair Growth Paste:
- Dan Gui: Filled with properties that promote blood flow to the hair follicles.
- Old Ginger: Improves scalp circulation, resulting in better blood flow. It also stimulates hair follicles, not to mention provides fatty acids that are great for thin hair.
- Ginseng: Contains bioactive ingredients that promote hair growth and increase the production of dermal papilla cells (important for the hair shaft, follicles, and the overall regeneration cycle).
- Brahmi: Provides nourishment and helps thicken the hair roots. It also cools the scalp and prevents excessive hair loss by strengthening the follicles.
- Bhringraj: A 2008 study found that the Eclipta alba extract in bhringraj oil helps promote significant hair growth when applied topically. Bhringraj oil also helps circulate blood to the scalp and roots, leading to hair growth.
3. Massage Your Scalp Daily
Clinical studies have suggested that regular scalp massage may effectively reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.
Results from a 2019 study involving androgenetic alopecia participants showed more than 68% of them reported hair loss stabilisation or regrowth after massaging for at least 11-20 minutes daily.
The study also concluded there is strong potential for regular scalp massages to improve androgenetic alopecia.
Additionally, scalp massages help reduce stress and tension, which could contribute to hair loss by disrupting the growth cycle. Incorporating regular scalp massage into your hair care routine may be a simple and effective way to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss.
4. Apply Antioxidants To Your Hair And Scalp
Antioxidants are molecules that protect our bodies from the harmful effects of free radicals, which are unstable atoms that can damage our cells and tissues.
Various factors, including pollution, stress, and exposure to UV radiation, can generate these free radicals. When it comes to our hair and scalp, free radicals can cause damage to the hair follicles, leading to weaker, thinner hair and an unhealthy scalp.
Antioxidants can help to combat this damage by neutralising free radicals before they can cause harm. By doing so, they help to promote healthy hair growth and maintain a healthy scalp. Various antioxidants, like vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene, are beneficial in combatting hair loss.
Try our Hair Loss Tonic, formulated to stop hair loss and help growth. It's chock-full of antioxidants from arnica montana, swertia japonica, sage leaf, rosemary leaf, and other naturally occurring extracts.
5. Protect Your Hair While Sleeping
Sleep is as instrumental to hair health as antioxidants, tonics, and hair pastes. No, we're not directly referring to the act, but the quality of your bedsheets and pillowcases.
Hair loss can also occur during sleep due to friction. Frequent tossing and turning causes hair strands to rub against the surface of your bed sheet/pillowcase. Rough or textured fabrics can cause the hair to tangle and knot, leading to breakage and hair loss.
Bed sheets and pillowcases accumulate dirt, oils, and bacteria over time. These substances could build up when left unkempt and cause dandruff, scalp infections, and other conditions that can damage hair follicles.
The key to protecting your hair while you sleep is to use soft and smooth materials with antimicrobial properties. Some good examples include silk or satin, which creates less friction against the hair and is unlikely to tangle and damage it. You can also protect your hair with a sleeping cap.
Another tip is to practise proper hygiene: regularly wash your bedding for one to two weeks to prevent the accumulation of dirt and bacteria.
6. Maintain Proper Hair Care
Poor hair care habits like constantly applying heat, overwashing, using harsh treatments, and applying alcohol-containing hair products can all contribute to hair loss. Naturally, the trick is to form good hair habits instead.
For example, when applying shampoo, massage your scalp instead of your hair. The American Academy of Dermatology Association also recommends applying conditioner after shampooing.
Heat-applied hair treatments can also break and cause frizz to your hair. High temperatures alter your hair's keratin strands, leading to increased brittleness, less flexibility, and loss of hair colour.
Remember, too much of anything is bad. If you want to continue styling your hair, do so sparingly.
You can also use medicated shampoos that contain ketoconazole or ciclopirox, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, etc. You can purchase them over the counter without a prescription. But it's best to seek advice from a licenced dermatologist, especially if you're dealing with a scalp condition.
7. Use A Moisturising Conditioner
Using a moisturising hair conditioner can also help combat hair loss and hair fall. Two Herbs Keratin Hair Conditioner is a revitalising formula infused with amino acids, providing your hair with essential moisture and strength.
Keratin smoothens overlapping hair cells, making your locks more manageable while minimising frizz. Witness a visible reduction in split ends as keratin temporarily binds your hair back together for a polished look.
Enrich your hair with hydrolyzed collagen, which rejuvenates damaged hair caused by physical stress or excessive treatments. And, let the potent blend of active ingredients and minerals from aloe vera fortify your hair, promoting strength and resilience.
Conclusion On How To Reduce Hair Loss
There's no magic, overnight treatment that can immediately stop hair fall. Instead, it's through good hair health practices and using the right hair loss treatments.
If you want to reduce your hair loss by using all-natural ingredients, Two Herbs has just the thing. Our trichologist-approved hair loss treatment in Singapore is suitable for male and female pattern baldness. It can facilitate complete hair regrowth, so you no longer suffer from bald patches or thinning hair again.
Treating hair loss involves the right care and attention. If you’re looking for dandruff solutions, check out our dandruff treatment to maintain scalp health. For those seeking a natural remedy, our hair treatment in Singapore provides a holistic approach. Additionally, if you’re experiencing hair loss during pregnancy, our specialized treatments can support recovery and promote healthier hair growth.
Frequently Asked Questions On How To Reduce Hair Loss
What Foods Can Stop Hair Fall?
Here are some examples of anti-hair loss foods to include in your diet:
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Fatty fish
- Lamb
- Pork
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Kale
- Carrots
- Spinach
Is Hair Loss Permanent?
Depending on genetics and hormonal changes, hair loss can be permanent or temporary. Patchy hair loss, for example (alopecia areata), is temporary. Your hair can regrow within a year, even without treatment.
What Is Traction Alopecia?
Traction alopecia is hair loss due to repeated pulling of the hair. It's reversible, and hair can regrow over time with the proper treatment. But your hair follicles can be permanently damaged without immediate treatment.
What Skin Conditions Cause Hair Loss?
Hair loss can also be a symptom of an underlying skin condition like fungus, psoriasis, or dandruff. Treatment is usually in the form of antifungal medication prescribed by a dermatologist.
Can Dietary Supplements Cause Hair Loss?
Although vitamins A and E are known for their hair growth and antioxidant properties, over-supplementation can lead to hair loss.
Can Hair Loss From Stress Grow Back?
Yes. Stress is a crucial contributor to hair loss, but only temporarily. This temporary hair loss (telogen effluvium) is common after experiencing severe stress or abnormal body changes. Though there are treatments for stress-induced hair loss, it's temporary, and the hair usually grows back within three to six months.