The hair loss treatment you need will largely depend on the cause, which could be a number of things ranging from genetics to dietary and environmental factors.
Before you schedule an appointment with your doctor, take a moment to think about your hair care regimen. Hair loss has been linked to the overuse of harmful chemical products, such as dandruff shampoos that contain formaldehyde and selenium sulfate, both of which are very toxic to your system.
Excessive bleaching and dying of hair can also lead to hair loss. Over time, an abundance of synthetic shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays and gels can damage your follicles and cause your hair to fall out permanently.
Another risk of aggressive styling is baldness due to traction alopecia. This is a fancy term for permanent scarring of the scalp caused by hair that has been wrapped too tightly around curlers and pulled too tightly by clips and ponytail holders. Should this stress your scalp, your body’s natural reaction is to repair the damage with scar tissue, which blocks the growth of further hair. Scarring can also be caused by hot oil treatments that claim to revitalize hair, curling irons and hair dryers.
It is best to take a common-sense approach to this kind of hair loss. Switch to organic, herbal shampoos and conditioners. Stick with your normal hair color or use natural dyes, and never apply excessive heat directly to your scalp.
Eating a healthy diet can also stop hair loss. To make hair, your body needs plenty of iron and calcium. Supplements, like Provillus and Procerin, might do the job, but you should take these under the direction of a physician since too much can be harmful to your health.
A better approach might be to work green, leafy vegetables into your diet, along with moderate portions of organic dairy products. Eating your steak medium-rare can also add some iron to your diet, but keep in mind that too much red meat can increase your blood pressure and raise your testosterone levels, both of which have been linked to baldness.
Of course, genetic factors are proven contributors to baldness. If you are serious about wanting to stop hair loss and suspect this is the cause, talk to your doctor. There are many pharmaceutical treatments available, and he or she may be able to find a solution that is right for you.
