Can You Slow Hair Loss?

Many people suffering from hair loss mistakenly believe there is nothing they can do about their situation. Not only are there ways you can help slow further hair loss, but you can achieve healthier and thicker hair along the way! If you act quickly, there are many things that you can to prevent or slow down hair loss depending on the reason why you are losing your hair.

Your hair goes through a natural lifecycle including growth and shedding and some hair loss is common for everybody, with most of us losing around one hundred hairs a day. However, more sudden or extreme hair loss in patches or overall thinning could warrant a visit to the doctor or a hair loss treatment. Some hair loss is genetic and will need a specific treatment while other types of hair loss will respond well to changes in your diet or lifestyle. Here are some options;

Low Level Laser
Low Level Laser Therapy is an FDA clinically proven therapy to combat Androgenetic Alopecia. Our body is able to absorb different forms of light that cause different cellular activity. Low Level Laser Therapy uses visible red laser light to cause an increase in the level of cellular activity. By providing an extra source of energy to our hair follicles, they are able to grow a thicker, healthier and stronger hair. HairMax, the leaders in the market have conducted 7 clinical trials to date using their devices, with a 93% success rate with an average increase in the hair count of 129 new hairs per sq. inch.

Finasteride
Finasteride is 1 of 2 FDA-approved medications to treat Androgenetic Alopecia. Finasteride is a DHT inhibitor, the hormone responsible for causing genetic hair loss. This clinically proven medication is the most powerful treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia, but carries with it the risk of side effects. It can also only be used by men. Finasteride is a prescription medication available on Private Prescription.

Minoxidil
Minoxidil is the 2nd of the FDA- approved medications that are available. Minoxidil is a topical solution that is applied directly onto the scalp once or twice per day. This medication works differently to Finasteride, as it encourages new and longer growth phases in our hair follicles. Available as a 2% solution for women and a 5% solution for men. Can be used together with Finasteride for the best results.

Hair Growth Supplements
There are plenty of hair growth supplements on the market that can help us to grow thicker, stronger hair and increase the rate of growth. Some of these supplements will even help to reduce shedding by increasing the length of our growth phases. Most hair growth supplements are based on the nutrients and vitamins that our body needs to produce the keratin for our hair, such as Biotin and Niacin.

Scalp Massage
While it’s a well-known myth that hair loss is caused by a lack of blood flow to the scalp, there is no reason to think that an increase in blood flow won’t help. Scalp massage may not be a widely proven solution for hair loss, there are small studies to show there is a beneficial effect on our hair growth.

Destress
Something that can easier said then done in practice. Stress can be a common of sudden hair loss as our body protects the regular function of our most vital organs. Mental and physical stress can have wide spread effects on bodily functions, but they will only be temporary. Take steps to destress your life by working towards improving your work-life balance and learn some healthier coping mechanisms such as trying meditation and deep breathing exercises. Introducing these relaxing activities into your life can all help to reduce your stress levels which will have a positive impact on your hair and on other aspects of your health.

Speak to your Doctor
There are lots of different causes of Hair Loss and some are more hidden than others. Your hair loss could be caused by a completely separate underlying health condition that you were unaware of. A lot of medications list hair loss as a side effect of the drug, so also something that your doctor may be able to assist you with. Identifying the cause of your hair loss is the first step to treating and preventing any further hair loss.

Change your diet
Our diet has a huge effect on the overall health and quality of our hair. Our body needs a wide range of vitamins and nutrients to be able to produce high quality, strong hair. If you have a limited diet where you aren’t getting a good supply of protein and vitamins, over time you will see the toll of this of the quality of your hair. Your body won’t have the necessary resources to support your hair fully.
If you are on a limited diet, such as vegan or vegetarian, you may find that you aren’t getting the necessary levels of protein in your diet to maximise the potential of your hair growth. Adding more beans and pea, nuts, and eggs to your diet could help.

Essential Oils and Fatty Acids
There have been plenty of studies over the years to evaluate the success of different essential oils and fatty acids at stimulating hair growth and blocking DHT. For the most part the success rates don’t match the successes you could see with Finasteride, Minoxidil or Low-Level Laser, but it doesn’t mean it should be something that you disregard. Some essential oils such as cedarwood, rosemary and lavender might be effective in reducing hair loss.

Stop Smoking and Reduce Alcohol Intake
Both smoking and alcohol have wide spread detrimental effects on the body and this can spread to your hair growth. Cigarettes reduces the amount of blood that flows to the scalp and this can cause a reduction in hair growth.

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