A head full of thick, healthy, black lustrous waving in the wind. Did a shampoo commercial with a beautiful actress come to mind as you read the first line? If yes, it shows our neglect of male hair health.
Healthy hair has always been a dream, regardless of gender. And is a matter of concern for many men. Beautiful hair is a symbol of pride, sound health, and youth. But there are some leading causes of hair loss in men today, such as a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, pollution levels, medications, and, most importantly, genetics. Hair loss in men is one of the most common problems. And a prominent sign of the onset of the enemy, ‘male pattern baldness,’ worldwide. The clinical term for male pattern baldness is Androgenic alopecia, a genetic trait many have inherited. Going bald is a nightmare unless it’s a preference. And a common concern for men. Many go to any extent to prevent hair loss and promote hair regrowth.
But in most cases, it is not until they notice their receding hairline. And people often quit any treatment or hair care routine after not seeing immediate results. It can get highly disheartening, and feeling defeated primarily for starting late.
A noteworthy fact is that losing 100 strands of hair daily is natural. The problem arises when you notice that you are losing more hair than the standard quantity of hair. However, there is no magic potion to help you revive your hair loss by the snap of a finger. Many hair fall remedies are available in the market to prevent hair loss and maintain healthy hair.
1. Healthy Diet At Its Prime
A healthy balanced diet is ‘the’ holy grail for your overall health. And what you eat reflects on your skin and hair health. A nutritious diet plan can work wonders not only for the skin but also for the hair. A high protein diet can provide much-needed sustenance for your hair. Besides good proteins, vitamins also play a significant role in stimulating the growth of hair follicles. Vitamin deficiency is one of the worst reasons for hair loss in men. Hence, eating fresh fruits and vegetables can boost your hair growth.
You might have heard the saying, ‘Eat a rainbow.’ Well, it is a scrutinizing statement. How does one eat a rainbow, you might ask. The answer is simple. Include colorful fruits, veggies, and dark leafy greens in your meals. Here is a list of superfoods you should include in your diet for better hair health.
Eggs: The perfect addition to your diet if you want to increase your protein intake. Eggs are rich in protein and biotin. Biotin is a form of B-complex vitamin that promotes keratin production in your body. It is also known as Vitamin H. Keratin is responsible for your hair, skin, and nail health.
Nuts: Cashews, almonds, peanuts, you name them. Every nut you can think of is a tiny power pack of nutrients and vitamins. Nuts are an excellent source of vitamins E, B6, B3 (niacin), and D. And minerals like magnesium, zinc, potassium, folic, and fatty acid.
Berries: Antioxidants and vitamin C are two vital compounds for a healthy scalp. Antioxidants help your body fight free radicals, which might stunt the growth of your hair follicle.
Spinach: Dark leafy greens are a must to include in your diet. And spinach is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, iron, and folates. All of these are essential for the health of your skin and hair, and their deficiency can further result in hair loss.
Sweet Potato: An excellent substitute for potatoes, sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a compound responsible for vitamin A production in your body, which is necessary for hair growth and sebum control. In some cases, dandruff or oily scalp can also be a reason for excessive hair loss.
Carrots: Other bright red fruits and vegetables, like carrots, are also a good source of beta-carotene.
Fish: Fatty fishes, such as salmon and mackerel, have an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids. It promotes new hair growth and can also improve hair density.
Avocados: Rich, creamy and tasty, this fruit is rich in Vitamin E. Including it in your diet can benefit your hair and overall health.
Seeds: Sesame seeds, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds, like nuts, are full of vitamin E. If you are dicey about taking supplements, try replacing them with seeds. Roasted and salted seeds make for a delicious and healthy snack.
Meat: A significant and essential source of protein and iron is meat. Red meat, in particular, improves iron absorbency in your body. Iron is known to boost blood circulation and promotes hair growth.
Beans and Legumes: An excellent replacement for meats for a vegetarian diet, beans, and legumes are an incredible source of plant protein. On the other hand, Soybean has an abundance of spermidine, a compound that stimulates the hair shaft and activates hair growth. They are also rich in biotin and folates, which are excellent for hair health.
2. Avoid Smoking & Alcoholic Beverages.
We have been aware of the harmful effects of smoking on the body for a long time. Although it has become a prominent part of many lifestyles, it is concerning how cigarette smoke also triggers hair loss in men and might lead to premature greying. Studies show that the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke cause poor blood circulation, restrict blood circulation to hair follicles, and provide nourishment, interrupting the hair growth cycle.
Furthermore, alcohol intake significantly dehydrates your body. Which immensely reduces hair growth by causing nutritional deficiencies. Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages has an evident effect on your skin and hair health. Over time alcohol can affect your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, harming your overall health. However, there isn’t any direct connection between alcohol consumption and hair loss. But habitual drinking affects various body functions, which can later lead to hair loss. Nutrient absorption and thyroid are two primary affected areas due to alcohol. When your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and minerals, such as zinc and protein, weakens, your hair and skin suffer.
Similarly, the thyroid impacts several hormone interactions in the body. And Hypothyroidism can trigger hair loss and hair thinning. You might even notice a substantial change in your hair texture. You tend to get coarser hair due to smoking and drinking. Studies show that people who quit smoking and drinking noticed a remarkably lower amount of hair loss.
3. Stay Hydrated.
Dehydration is a common concern among many. Although it is not easily noticeable, low hydration can cause various health concerns. People heed it only when the signs of dehydration are prominent. It is pretty frightening how common it is to neglect adequate water intake. Because it is common to forget to drink enough water, think about how often you find yourself agitated or irritated without reason, while the reason is simple. You are thirsty. So, the next time you feel down, remember the last time you had a cup of water, and if you can’t, grab a cup. This might help you with the proper intake of water.
Over time the effects of dehydration can be pretty evident. And it might require a long time to reverse the said effects. Low hydration halts the hair growth cycle in men significantly.
The hair shaft consists of one-quarter of water. At the same time, hair follicles need ample hydration for healthy growth. Dehydration can lead to thin and brittle hair and eventually can even lead to baldness. A dry scalp is a leading cause of hair fall. So, drinking about 3 liters of water daily is advisable to stay hydrated and achieve healthy hair and scalp. However, water isn’t the only way to hydrate your body. Incorporate water-rich food items, like tender coconut, yogurt, and fresh fruits, into your diet to increase your hydration level.
4. Massage Scalp with Good Oils.
Besides following a healthy diet and drinking sufficient water, it is necessary to stimulate blood circulation to the scalp. It can be highly relaxing to massage the scalp with oil once or twice a week for at least 20 minutes before washing your hair. Invest in a good quality silicone massager to properly distribute the oil throughout the scalp and promote blood flow to the scalp. Massaging the scalp and hair with lukewarm oil for a good couple of minutes will ensure blood circulation in the scalp and strengthen the hair follicles to remain active. There is a wide range of hair oils to choose from. Be sure to get the one that targets your hair concern. If you are thinking of introducing an essential oil, like rosemary, into your oiling routine. Make sure you use it with carrier oil. Essential oils come in a highly concentrated form. And your scalp skin is way too sensitive to stand such high concentration. The best way to use an essential oil is to add three-four drops in an adequate amount of lukewarm carrier oil. Carrier oils are the ones that don’t cause any harm, like coconut or olive oil. This home remedy is a boon to preventing any scalp infection and dandruff. Cold-pressed oils of coconut, almond, olive, Jojoba, lavender, etc., can generate good results.
5. Cleaning Hair with Mild Shampoo.
Daily exposure to outside dirt, pollution, and grime can harm your hair. And while you might want to use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of all the build-up on the scalp, the continuous use of harsh shampoo can weaken your hair follicles. Concerning the increasing pollution levels outside, regular hair cleaning is a must to prevent unwanted dirt and sweaty and oily scalp. But using mild shampoo can be a suitable replacement for gentle cleaning.
It can be constructive to build a hair-care routine. Use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month and a gentler one for regular use.
Daily cleansing ensures a squeaky clean scalp but can eventually strip away all the beneficial oil that your scalp produces. Regular shampooing can even cause excess oil production as your body would want to replenish the dryness. Washing your hair twice a week is enough to ensure a clean scalp. Be sure of the products you use so it prevents hair breakage risks, hair loss, scalp infections, and dandruff. Sulfate-free shampoos are a good option for gentle cleaning.
6. Apply Homemade Stars.
Onion, garlic, ginger juice, and aloe vera have been good hair fall remedies for men. Home remedies can be beneficial to some extent. However, very little scientific data is available to back up the wonders of applying these juices. People have tried and tested these methods for a long time, offering excellent results. Using homemade neem paste infused in coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil, and honey is a hair fall remedy that works wonders for the hair. You can even make your hair-growth serum by boiling rosemary leaves with a few springs of mint leaves. Rosemary water has a substantial amount of studies to prove its effectiveness. Fenugreek seeds are also a star ingredient in home remedies. Soak a few tablespoons of fenugreek seeds overnight and use the water as an after-wash treatment. You can also coarsely grind the soaked seeds and use the paste as a scalp exfoliator.
Although home remedies can be an effective and affordable solution, it is crucial to use them in moderation, as unsupervised usage can cause some irreversible damage.
7. De-Stress & Exercise.
Studies show that high-stress levels result in severe hair fall conditions like Alopecia Areata. The link between stress and hair loss is closely connected. So, a good 7-8 hours of sleep every night is excellent to combat stress.
It can be ironic how stress causes hair loss and how excessive hair loss can cause stress. Consider destressing by practicing meditation & yoga. And incorporate a practical workout routine into daily life alongside maintaining a healthy balance. Implementing some form of meditation is vital, as it is one of the most effective home remedies in restoring hormonal balance and preventing hair loss.
To sum it up:
A receding hairline and visible bald patches can curse men’s lives. It highlights the significance of taking early precautions and ditching all the heating & drying tools for the sake of maintaining healthy hair. This way, men can prevent hair falls by using remedies that work.
If there’s anything you need help with, talk to India’s top specialists on docvita.com.