Hair Loss Guide

Hair loss affects over 50% of this world's population, of all ages and gender. It could stem from many issues, such as genetics, diet, disease & external factors. Though it is common, it is difficult for both genders, as hair loss can affect self-confidence, lifestyle and much more. Having a full head of hair is not a privilege and hair loss is not permanent. Whether it's genetics, disease or another cause, we can counter it with diet, product, and lifestyle. 

One of the major contributors to hair loss in this century is diet & chemical products. Our diet as a human should comprise many nutrients and vitamins that are crucial to hair health and to prevent disease in the body. 

 Many cleaning and beauty products have preservatives and chemicals which damage and slow the hair's growth. Not to mention, the endless crusade of information that is on the internet that causes many hair care myths and confusions to be created. 

 In this article, we will touch on the do's and don'ts of hair care and dig deeper into the factors that cause hair loss as well as how to prevent them. 

The Do's 

1. healthy diet with iron & vitamins. 

     this includes vegetables and other foods which provide our hair with healthy supplements to combat hair loss and drink LOTS of water. As human beings, water is essential for our health. Ex, dark greens have iron, foods with calcium and vitamins naturally are very important for strong hair.

2. hair treatment at least once a week:

this includes hair oiling, hot oil sessions, or any other deep conditioning session at least 1-3 times a week. This provides our hair with needed protection, healthy nutrients & prevents damage.

 3. protection when sleeping 

this involves using a bonnet or braiding your hair when you sleep. If you have long hair, sleeping is when your hair is prone to tangles, which causes damage and dehydration in the hair. This can lead to a lot of breakages and hair loss over time. 

 4. lukewarm or cold water when showering 

hot water use on hair can be very harmful and lead to permanent damage. This is because hot water dries your scalp, which can lead to itchiness and dandruff. Hot water makes your roots weak and, as a result, your hair turns frizzy. The texture takes a beating and hair can break easily. Hot water makes your hair overly porous, and this again prompts breakage, brittleness and flyaways. 

The Don'ts 

1. use heat tools often 

heat tools are very damaging to the hair and can cause breakage and permanent damage. Not only can heat-styling damage result in hair breakage, split ends and other hair damage, it's also possible that extreme heat and twisting from hot rollers or curling irons can lead to hair thinning or hair falling out, which is known as traction alopecia. 

 2. massage scalp and hair aggressively if you have hair loss

massaging your scalp and hair is great for blood circulation, however if you have hair loss issues, this will cause you to lose more hair. This is because those with hair loss issues already have brittle, weak hair, and massaging it aggressively can cause breakage easily.

 3. use chemical hair products 

chemicals in shampoo, hair dye and other hair products can be a main hair loss culprit. Certain chemicals directly penetrate the bloodstream without getting filtered out. In the shower, pores open up and these ingredients penetrate through the follicles, causing all kinds of damage in the long run. This can also cause allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis and other scalp issues or, even worse, long-term damage to hair and scalp, which leads to hair loss.  

4. cold weather & wet hair 

those of you who live in the colder climates, this is very important. Make sure your hair is fully dry before going out in the cold weather. Other than the very obvious risk of a cold, on wintry days, there's greater risk of damage to the hair when you go outside before drying it. This is because the strands of your hair are more vulnerable when wet, and in the cold weather, water molecules in the hair can expand, which can make the hair more likely to break 

The Causes 

1. genetics 

one of the main causes, which is genes, where your hair loss issues pass down in the family line. However, this does not mean it is not preventable. Certain treatments and special care can help combat the hair loss issues that is to come. 

2. chemical products 

the reason hair loss is more common in this century is due to all the chemicals in our products. Our hair cannot handle many of the chemicals which not only damage and irritate, but strip our hair of the protective oils which helps is it grow and stabilize. This can lead to unstable oil levels in the scalp, which leads to hair loss and other issues as well. This includes shampoos, styling products, hair dyes and more. 

3. diet 

our diet is very important for not only our health, but our hair as well, which is a main indicator of our health. B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin, calcium and iron, are all important for hair health and growth. We can find these in many natural foods and you do not have to take supplements to include them in your diet.

4. environment 

our environment can be one of the main causes of our hair loss. Especially if you travel or moved countries, this is a major change for our hair. Our hair needs to adapt to a whole new environment, with a new climate and the water can also change depending on where you are in the world. It is important to watch our hair and take the proper care to prevent it from further damage. 

5. disease 

this is a very obvious hair loss cause disease from many parts of the body can lead to hair loss. Therefore, hair loss can sometimes be an indicator of a bigger issue, which is also why diet is very important. Many foods can prevent us from getting disease and sick, providing our immune system with the strength to fight disease.  

Now that we have touched on the do's and the don't, as well as the causes of hair loss, you know everything there is to know about preventing hair loss. Taking care of your hair is very important for our self-confidence and our health.

On the island of Sri Lanka, strong and healthy hair is very common, and this is because of the ancient practices that have been passed down for centuries. 

Visit our shop to find Ayurvedic hair oils, masks, and shampoos. We have been using these recipes and ingredients for centuries for hair health and to prevent hair loss. If you need any help with hair care, hair loss or choosing the right product, contact us and we will be more than happy to help you.