Hair Breakage can happen to you despite your hair type or texture. It is very common and can sometimes feel equally difficult to fix.

If you’ve ever noticed hair ends starting to split, or have experienced uncontrolled fizz, you’ve experienced hair breakage. A healthy hair strand has an inner cuticle with overlapping scales that keeps the strand intact. When these scales scatter and fall apart, the hair becomes dry and the scales eventually separate, leading to damage. This damage shows up in the form of breakage, frizz, and dryness. If you experience the following, you’re having hair breakage –

• The appearance of split ends.
• Hair fallout in form of small, short, and broken pieces of hair.
• Hair becoming too dry.
• Hair getting tangled and difficult to comb too often.
• Hair at the crown feels brittle as compared to the hair at the neck.

Hair Breakage Reasons

The most common causes of hair breakage are discussed here.

1. Diet

Hair and skin health are greatly driven by the kind of food intake. Some nutrients protect the hair from damage and help it grow better. Your diet must have an adequate amount of iron, zinc, and folic acid. Also, a protein-rich diet that can also provide antioxidants strengthens the hair and prevents breakage.

2. Stress

Stress and hair loss go hand in hand. Stress is also a cause of hair breakage. Due to overstressing, hair follicles go dormant, and hair strands in the middle of growth break off.

3. Dryness

Dryness precedes damage and breakage. Dry hair is caused by several natural factors such as dry weather, low humidity, and too much heat. Even harsh products that have chemical compounds can contribute to dryness. Using hot water for washing hair instead of lukewarm water also causes drying. If your hair ends are dry, you can let go of shampooing these areas. Also, do not skip the conditioner if you’re experiencing dryness in the hair.

4. Heat Damage

The usage of styling tools such as flat iron, curling iron, and hairdryer is universal today. If these tools are used more frequently, the cuticles might get damaged due to exposure to high heat. The scales eventually fall apart and the hair breaks. You can opt for a heat-protecting spray to minimize the damage and avoid using such tools too often.

5. Frequent processing

Frequently going for hair treatments and styling practices such as perming, colouring, straightening can damage the cuticle and cause hair breakage. These treatments expose the hair to harsh chemicals. You can try extending the duration between two such sessions to at least 2-3 months and use hair masks to nourish your hair in the meantime.

6. Over-washing

If you have oily hair, washing your hair daily may rid the excess sebum. However, in the case of dry hair, shampooing can be limited to once a week. Shampoos often contain chemicals and an over usage can damage the hair. If you have a persisting oily hair problem, you can opt for a dry shampoo.

7. Improper drying

Improper rough rubbing of the towel on the hair can cause damage as wet hair is most vulnerable to damage. You can opt for a microfibre towel and use patting motion instead of rubbing motion. You can also leave the towel for some time on the hair to absorb excess water instead of rubbing it.

8. Tying the hair

Tying up the hair too regularly not just pulls them from the roots, it also causes them to get tangled and break easily. You might notice some hair breakage every time you undo a ponytail or a hair tie. You can try wearing down the hair once in a while, losing up the up-do a bit.

9. Incorrect brushing

Over combing or over-brushing causes hair breakage. You must brush the hair only when styling it and use it only when it is dry. You should opt for a brush with natural bristles and use a wide-toothed comb to prevent hair breakage. Remember that 100 strokes a day is a myth!

10. Inadequate hair trims

Hair trims keep split ends off and avoids tangling of hair, preventing hair breakage. Not having a trim every 6-8 weeks can cause the split ends to travel up the length of your hair.

11. Hyperthyroidism

This is a low thyroid disorder and leads to dry, damaged hair. Other symptoms include low energy, weight gain, depression. If you see these symptoms get yourself checked on priority.

12. Eating disorders

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa lead to malnutrition. In these situations, the hair follicle is deprived of the nutrients essential for the healthy growth of the hair. This causes hair breakage even in the middle of the hair growth cycle. Such disorders can lead to extreme consequences and must be addressed immediately.

Hair Breakage Treatment

You can boost the health of your hair by switching to the right products and adopting the right practices. A few hair breakage solution are discussed here –

1. Change haircare routine

Swap your current shampoo with products that are herbal or formulated to address the hair breakage issue. Always use a conditioner after shampooing. Skipping the conditioner causes damage as the conditioner helps reduce frizz and lend manageability.

2. Redesign your diet

A lot starts with what your food intake looks like. If you are having hair breakage, you must include vitamins C, D3, biotin, omega-3, iron, and zinc in your diet. These are available as dietary supplements as well as in abundance in natural food options. Vitamin C aids collagen production, which is responsible to form the base of blood vessels. Vitamin D3 enhances the production of the protein keratin, which makes up the hair. Biotin improves hair growth. Including vitamins in the diet can prevent hair breakage considerably.

3. Destress

Stress is the main cause of hair fall and hair breakage. You must try to keep the stress levels in check. You can go for yoga and meditation. Engaging in a hobby also reduces stress levels.

4. Deep condition your hair

During deep conditioning, the nutrients penetrate deep into the roots of the hair and repair the damage, replenishing the much-needed proteins and nutrients alongside. Deep conditioning frequently keeps the hair soft and is one of the best treatments for hair breakage.

5. Use essential oils

Applying essential oils such as almond oil or chamomile oil can help in treating the hair breakage issue. You can use a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil. Massage the scalp, leave it for about an hour and then wash off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.

Remember that the best products for hair breakage and loss are the products that suit your hair type.

Inside your skin is a small cavity where the hair grows. This is known as the hair follicle. Our bodies are covered with hair follicles. These hair follicles are present all over the body except the soles of the feet, palms, and lips. The hair follicles produce oils that are essential to the health of the follicle and the hair.

Folliculitis is a common skin issue where the hair follicle gets a blockage or a bacterial infection. This appears in the form of small red bumps. These bumps may also have a white, pus-filled tip and are accompanied by itching. Hair follicles cover the entire body and this condition mostly affects the head, face, chest, arms, legs, armpits, buttocks, and genitals.

There are many different types of folliculitis, each of which is unique and caused by a different factor. Some of the more common names for folliculitis are barber’s itch, shaving rash, razor bumps, or hot tub rash. Folliculitis appears due to a result of daily activities such as shaving, excessive exercising, or excessive sweating.

Folliculitis may be uncomfortable or itchy. This is a relatively harmless condition that can often be treated by oneself using simple folliculitis treatment at home. If it is severe you should see a doctor. It can affect people of all ages and often has a psychosocial impact. Here we will look at the causes of folliculitis and folliculitis treatment. 

Cause of Hair Follicle Infections

The condition of folliculitis occurs whenever a hair follicle gets infected and suffers inflammation. The infected hair follicle swells under the skin, causing bumps to appear on the skin. Though folliculitis could be happening due to a wide variety of factors, there are some common causes. Generally, if you have damaged hair follicles, the likelihood of folliculitis is more. This can happen due to a variety of activities.

• In most conditions, a kind of bacteria known as Staph Aureus is the root cause. These bacteria are present on your skin all the time. If it enters the body through a cut, it can cause problems.
• Certain kinds of bacteria found in hot tub baths and pools can also cause folliculitis. When the skin is hot and damp, the hair follicles can get damaged and infected much easier.
• Blockages are caused in the hair follicle due to the usage of skin products. Oil and moisturizer accumulation can block the pores.
• Not cleaning up the body properly after engaging in sweaty activities can block the follicles.
• Hair removal through plucking, waxing, or shaving can cause inflammation in the hair follicle resulting in folliculitis.
• Regular shaving especially of curly hair could be causing bumps.
• Ingrown hair can also lead to folliculitis.
• Touching or rubbing the skin frequently can also trigger inflammation of the hair follicle.
• Tight hair braids can cause hair follicles on the scalp strain and inflammation. This may lead to folliculitis.
• Skin conditions such as acne make you more prone to folliculitis.
• An oily scalp can lead to scalp acne which can develop into bumps on the scalp.
• Wearing tight clothes, footwear or gloves does not let the heat and sweat out of the body and can cause folliculitis.
• Clothing that rubs on the skin can cause inflammation to the hair follicles resulting in folliculitis.
• Long-term usage of antibiotics or steroid creams can lead to folliculitis.
• A history of obesity puts you at a greater risk of folliculitis.
• An immune system that is weakened by conditions such as leukaemia, diabetes or HIV is unable to fight the regular infections of the hair follicle thus leading to folliculitis.
• Sometimes skin injuries caused due to cuts or insect bites can lead to folliculitis. Bacteria can spread from an infected wound or cut to nearby hair follicles.

Symptoms of Folliculitis

Folliculitis appears in the form of red swollen bumps that resemble pimples. These bumps may appear to be filled with white material. Sometimes they may be filled with pus. The bumps irritate and you may feel the need to scratch (which should be avoided). If on the scalp, this may cause an itchy scalp. Here one must note that some of these symptoms can be the same as scalp psoriasis. But that condition is different from folliculitis and requires a different course of action.

Mostly, the diagnosis is done by the physical examination of the skin. A swab of the infected skin can be used to test for the kind of bacteria causing the infection and confirm if the condition requires a folliculitis treatment or not. If so, folliculitis treatment is followed.  Rarely, a biopsy may be needed to rule out the possibility of other conditions.

Sebum is an oily substance that is secreted from the sebaceous glands keeping the body protected.

Sebum is a natural oil that is secreted to nourish the skin, keep it moisturized and protected. It is an oily and waxy substance and is made up of lipids such as triglycerides, cholesterols, and fatty acids.

Sebum is secreted from the sebaceous glands which are present all over the body. They are often around hair follicles though they exist independently as well. The highest concentration of sebaceous glands is present on the face and the scalp which can lead to scalp buildup and scalp acne. Palms of the hands and soles of the feet are the only areas of the skin without sebaceous glands.

Sebaceous glands on scalp helps in moisturizing the hair and maintaining its natural shine. However, an excess of sebum can cause oily scalp resulting in oily hair, scalp acne, and dandruff. These may lead to hair loss. If you are looking to find how to reduce sebum production on scalp, read further to know.

Is Sebum Production Bad for Your Scalp?

Before we decide how to reduce sebum production on scalp, let’s understand its functions. Sebum is good and essential for hair. The sebum produced in the scalp keeps the hair shaft nourished and moisturized, it also offers protection. The main functions of sebum are listed below.

Lubrication

Sebum lubricates the hair and prevents friction damage. Sebum is responsible for the moisturization and softness of the skin. A decreased production causes dry scalp issues. 

Moisture retention

The sebaceous glands that secrete sebum on the hair prevents the moisture of the hair from escaping through the cuticles. It also does not allow excessive moisture from the air to enter the hair. Thus, it keeps the moisture content of the hair balanced.

Protects from sun damage

Sebum transports vitamin E over the skin. Vitamin E prevents free radical damage by protecting against UV damage caused due to sun rays.

How Does Excess Sebum Affect Your Hair?

Balanced sebum production is essential for the health of the hair and the scalp. If there is an increase or decrease in the production of sebum, hair health is adversely impacted which leads to something called scalp buildup. 

• Excessive sebum on the scalp can result in clogging of the pores on the scalp (scalp buildup). Clogging triggers a variety of problems. 
  • The supply of nutrients to the hair follicle from the bloodstream may get blocked. 
  • The clogged pore can also lead to bacterial infections and dandruff. 
• Dried or hardened sebum can be a site for secondary infections.
• All these factors increase the possibility of hair loss. Secondary infections further aggravate it. In rare cases, it can also cause pimples on the head and on the scalp.

Can Diet Affect Sebum Production?

What you put into your body directly affects the health of your hair. While A well-balanced diet ensures perfect hair health, Certain foods have a direct impact on sebum production and acne. A diet that is rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals keeps hair health in check and improves the blood circulation in the scalp. Such improved circulation regulates the production of sebum and reduces overproduction. This is an ideal solution to how to reduce sebum production on scalp.

You can keep the following pointers in mind regarding your choice of food if you are looking at how to reduce sebum production on scalp.

• Avoid oily and fried food to prevent excessive sebum production.
• Foods that are very sweet or very salty aggravate Kapha dosha causing excessive sebum production.
• Cold beverages should be avoided. You should have beverages either hot or at room temperature.
• A wholesome and fresh meal that is easy to digest should be consumed.

Camphor for Hair Growth, an ancient Ayurvedic remedy that balances doshas and keep hair moisturized, and strong . Its antimicrobial nature also keeps scalp infections away.

The strong and pungent aroma of camphor has a lot to offer besides its use in spiritual practices and therapeutic benefits. This common sweet-smelling ingredient can solve most of your health-related everyday issues. Unfurl the usage and benefits of camphor for hair . 

Camphor for hair growth has a strong but relaxing smell with a lot of medicinal properties. For centuries, it has been used to treat health and skin-related issues, including toothache, skin irritation, and insect bites. You must have even heard good things about camphor for hair from your grandma. You will learn to incorporate this amazing ingredient in your hair care routine by the end of this blog. 

While camphor is a popular ingredient you’ll find in every Indian household, its natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties can fulfill the needs of your hair. The use of camphor for hair growth and balancing doshas of the body has been mentioned in Ayurveda as well. With so many benefits squeezed into this one ingredient, we can safely call it a magical ingredient. 

Let us find out more ways to reap the benefits of this ingredient and find out more ways to use camphor for hair. But before that, we will try to learn more about camphor.

What is Camphor? 

Camphor is a flammable translucent solid with a strong aroma. Also known as ‘Kapur, this substance is used in the Indian household for religious ceremonies. The steam distillation process is used to extract the camphor from the Cinnamomum Camphora tree bark.

Kapur is known for its healing properties, and the skin absorbs it quickly. It creates a cooling sensation and can be used for several hair problems, such as dry scalp treatment, scalp exfoliation, and dandruff remedies. Camphor for hair growth helps to increase blood circulation and allows better oxygen flow to your hair and several benefits, such as healing skin rashes and eczema, helping induce sleep, relieving cough and congestion, and boosting hair growth.

Benefits of Using Camphor for Hair

Your hair care routine is essential for your overall health, and camphor can come in handy in so many ways. Several hair oils use camphor for hair growth. This helps not only strengthen the hair follicles but also prevent hair fall. Scalp stimulation works wonders for hair regrowth, and camphor for hair has a lot to contribute. When you use camphor for hair growth, it increases the blood flow and acts as a counter-irritant. 

You can use camphor for hair to reduce dandruff, prematurely grey hair, target hair loss causes, and apply camphor oil for hair before a hair wash can clean the scalp thoroughly. Kapur also helps with hair lice. It acts as a disinfecting agent, improving hair texture.

Camphor for Hair Growth can also Treat Dandruff

Dandruff is one of the worst nightmares, and during winter, dandruff can aggravate like crazy. Dandruff can cause an itchy and flaky scalp, and it can be challenging to get rid of it most of the time. But when you use camphor for hair, removing dandruff becomes a lot easier. 

Kapur has an anti-inflammatory that treats dry scalp and removes itchiness, giving fewer flakes. Its antibacterial properties kill the bacteria on the scalp and moisturize it, preventing dandruff. Camphor and coconut oil mixture is a great concoction to remove dandruff. Here are a few ways you can use Kapur and coconut oil:

• Crush one camphor and add a pinch of this camphor powder to coconut oil, and massage this on your scalp. Leave it on your hair for about thirty minutes, and then wash with a mild shampoo. 
• To treat dry scalp, add one or two pinches of camphor powder to any of your favorite carrier oil and massage on your scalp. Allow this to stay on your hair for about half an hour, and then wash it off.
• Another way of using camphor for hair is to warm coconut oil, add a few drops of lemon essential oil, and add two to three drops of camphor oil for hair. 
• For scalp inflammation, mix camphor oil with a few drops of menthol oil and any carrier oil to reduce inflammation and soothe the scalp.

How to Make Camphor Oil at Home?

Camphor for hair has been that one handy ingredient that has multi uses. It is effective and affordable. The best thing is you can make it on your own very quickly. Follow these steps to prepare camphor oil at home:

Ingredients:

• Two pieces of camphor
• 1/2 cup coconut oil

Process:

On low flame, put a pan and add the coconut oil to it. Warm it and make sure not to burn the oil. Next, add camphor for hair and let it dissolve. Once it has cooled, your camphor for hair growth oil is ready. Now, you can apply this camphor for hair oil on your scalp and massage. Leave it overnight and wash it off the next day. Do this twice every week to get target hair loss causes. 

Telogen Effluvium is one of the most common forms of hair loss. This happens when there is a reduction in the number of hair follicles that grow hair. At any given point of time approximately 90 % of the hair is in the anagen phase which means that roughly 10% of the hair is in the telogen phase. Initially, telogen effluvium appears like the thinning of the hair in a particular area of the scalp. If the thinning appears in multiple places some areas will seem to be more affected than the rest of the parts.

When there is a significant increase in the hair that is in the resting phase telogen effluvium occurs.  So, this essentially means that when about 30% of your hair enters the telogen phase then you are experiencing a condition of telogen effluvium.

In most cases telogen effluvium affects the top of the scalp and does not really cause the hairline to recede but does cause hair fall. Patients also frequently complain of scalp pain. This, however, is not an unalterable state and home remedies for this hair fall control are available to manage the condition.

What Causes Telogen Effluvium

Telogen Effluvium can happen because of a number of causes. This includes:

• Physical trauma
• Psychological stress
• Infection or illness
• Exposure to toxins. These are like a shock induced by the environment and can also cause the follicles to go into a resting phase
• Surgeries could also cause a shock to your system but normal hair growth resumes within a few months
• Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
• Strong medication
• Significant weight loss
• Change in diet or a poor diet deficient in iron, B-vitamins zinc and proteins. Crash dieting has also been known to cause Telogen Effluvium
• Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy or menopause. Hormonal changes 3-6 months after delivery can cause follicles to go into a prolonged state of rest and can also cause hair to shed. This is postpartum telogen effluvium

Since hair entering the telogen phase rests in its place for at least 2-4 months before falling out the loss of hair will also not be felt for the same period. The phase of telogen effluvium usually does not last beyond 6 months, but on rare occasions it does extend beyond this period. This can affect about 50% of your scalp hair and is essentially non-scarring. Though you might lose a great amount of hair within a short period of time, this is usually temporary, and the hair that is retired into the telogen phase is usually replaced by new hair.

If your system experiences a shock, you might lose up to 70% of your hair 2 months after the shock. You might feel the effects of a relatively empty scalp as hair grows slowly but in time the hair will regain its original density. The major hair shedding happens when you shampoo or brush your hair and even when you give it a light massage. Shedding progressively decreases over the next 6-8 months when the telogen effluvium causes no longer exist.

Who Are at Risk of Getting Telogen Effluvium?

Telogen effluvium affects both men and women from all age groups but it is largely believed to be more prevalent in women. This is particularly visible in women with thick and moderately long hair. This is for no other reason but for the fact that the shedding is more noticeable as compared to women with finer or shorter hair. The process of telogen effluvium treatment in women is still under study; ladies with normal hormonal functions have also had prolonged phases of telogen effluvium involving large-scale hair loss over years. The level of shedding is usually high during the early stages and the hair may come out in clumps. If the person experiences telogen effluvium hair loss consistently over a period of 6 months it could become a case of chronic telogen effluvium, and at the time could extend to 7 years. The best thing would be to diagnose this at the right time and get the right hair fall treatment plan that would help manage TE.

Take the Free Hair Diagnosis to get The Right Treatment Plan for your Hair Loss Problems  

Diagnosis of Telogen Effluvium

Doctors need to distinguish normal hair loss from hair fall that is the result of a disease with some prominent telogen effluvium symptoms. It is usually separated on the basis of appearance and the frequency of hair shedding. Get a rough count of the number of strands that you lose on a daily basis; if your approximation is significantly more than 100 strands, a visit to the doctor might be necessary.  Large bald patches are not an indication of telogen effluvium.

Furthermore, you could pull your hair gently to test the strength of your strands, but this might not give an accurate result if you have had a shampoo 48 hours before. They could also be examined under a microscope and at times a biopsy could be done for a confirmatory telogen effluvium diagnosis. In more ambiguous cases blood tests might also be done.

Minoxidil 5% for Telogen Effluvium

Treatment & Medication for Telogen Effluvium

Most cases of telogen effluvium do not require any treatment. Hair normally falls out if a new hair beneath it pushes it out and contributes to hair regrowth. Therefore, it becomes part of a natural process. Because the hair growth happens gradually, the density might appear thinner in the initial period, but the growth will achieve its fulness in course of time.

Hair fall treatment could involve introducing some lifestyle changes or using some OTC medicines. But first you need to find out the cause for your hair fall, is it your environment, lifestyle or hormones.

Diet: Good dietary habits are an absolute essential to stop hair fall. A well-balanced and nutritious diet could be your panacea for all hair problems. This is also your solution on how to get thick hair naturally. Include a sufficient quantity of proteins irons, zinc and vitamins in your diet. Have a lot of eggs, milk products and beans.  However, some vitamins like vitamin A and E could cause hair fall, so the dosage should be taken after a consultation with the doctor.

Clean scalp: A clean scalp is an absolute essential for treating any hair issue. A dirty scalp could lead to clogged follicles which are impediments to hair growth. Exfoliating the dead skin from layers of scalp would lead to the removal of itching, inflammation and skin redness issues. This will facilitate a process of natural treatment for telogen effluvium.

OTC medicines: When it comes to OTC medicines it is extremely essential to choose a product that has 5% Minoxidil. It is applied once daily to the scalp and helps prolong the anagen phase or the growth phase of the hair follicles. This is considered the most effective telogen effluvium medication. However, there are certain important things to be taken into consideration before using Minoxidil. People might keep on losing hair, in fact more of it, when they start using minoxidil, in the initial phase at least. This is because while minoxidil increases the resting phase of your hair, leading to hair fall, it also extends the growth phase allowing new hair to take its place soon.

We all are concerned about our hair. Everyone wishes to have hair that is healthy inside out. Hair attributes to your personality and appearance by making you socially presentable. The world today has become a very unhealthy place to live in. The pollution and the diet have deteriorated our overall health including the condition of our hair.

To understand the mechanism of how your hair functions and reacts to external stimuli you have to understand the basics of the hair follicle. The hair follicle is responsible for the overall functioning of the hair. 

What is Hair Follicles?

Hair follicles are the way through which the hair comes out. They are small holes that can be seen on the top-most layer of the skin, the epidermis. You are born with all the hair follicles and they do not grow in number with age. There are 5000,000 hair follicles present on the skin of a human body. 

The whole surface of your skin has pocketed hair follicles and hair follicle growth except for the lips, palms, and soles. The hair follicles growth involves hormones, cells, and hair keratin protein elements. There are various factors to stimulate the hair follicles growth that will let your hair grow healthy. This article will guide you through the basic functionality, cycle, and life of hair follicles. You will guide to deal with the hair follicle issues. 

Hair Follicle Function

The hair follicles is responsible for the hair follicle growth. Stimulation of hair follicles can improve the way your hair can grow. The nourishment the hair follicles receives can help the growth of the hair and even improve its structure. 

A sebum-gland that produces natural oils is attached at the top to the follicles that help in nourishing the hair and skin. This is the sebaceous gland. The more sebaceous gland a skin has the thicker your hair grows. 

The root of the follicle is made from hair keratin which is the hair keratin protein cells. These cells are nourished with the blood supplied from the blood vessels. The more cells are packed together the more hair your body will grow.

The hair follicle growth therefore depends upon the blood vessels that feed that hair follicle. The more nourished the hair follicles gets it will push the hair out from the topmost layer of your skin causing it to grow. When the hair follicles pushes the hair out that passes the sebum-producing gland, sebaceous which nourishes the hair on its way out.

Hair Follicle cycle

The hair on your body grows in phases. The follicle has a cycle of three phases. 

• The Anagen Phase:

The first phase is the hair follicle growth phase. The hair keratin protein cells present in hair follicles divide rapidly causing it to grow. The hair follicle growth phase lasts from 2 – 7 years then it becomes inactive. The hair follicle growth phase will enable your hair to grow from 18 to 30 inches. This phase of the cycle depends on the age, genetics, and health of an individual.

• The Catagen Phase:

The second phase is the shortest phase that may last from 2 to 4 months. The hair follicle growth slows down as the cells stop dividing and the hair follicles detach themselves from the blood vessels. This detachment causes the supply of blood to stop affecting the nourishment the follicle needs. The hair stops to grow. This hair is named club hair. This phase is the transitional phase.

• The Telogen Phase:

This is the last phase of  hair follicles cycle. The old hair falls out in this phase. This is due to club hairs that start to rest. These hairs lose the potential to grow out. It rests in the bottom part of the root of the follicle. This is why it is called the resting phase of the hair. A new hair starts growing in the same follicle. This phase lasts from 3 to 5 months.

The telogen phase is the phase when your hair falls out. There is nothing to worry about as it is a natural process. You should be alarmed only if you lose patches of hair at once as each hair follicles has an independent cycle. Each follicle is different and they go through their cycle. The natural process allows the loss of 50-100 hairs each day. Meanwhile, the other hair follicles may be in the first growing phase- The Anagen phase or the resting phase- The Catagen Phase.

Stimulating Hair Follicles for hair regrowth

The stimulation of hair follicles is possible to improve your hair grow suggests the research of Biol Rev Camb, 2015.

This research suggests for healthy hair follicle growth, the hair follicles should be longer in the Anagen phase. The longer it stays in the first stage of the cycle the better your hair will grow. This can be boosted by a healthy diet, lifestyle, avoiding hair damage through styling and pollution. Attention to these elements will prevent the follicle cycle disruption. If not taken care of; the hair may get damaged or break before it completes its cycle. 

The article also stresses the third phase of the hair cycle. In the Telogen phase, the hair has the potential to regenerate and result in extra growth.  In this phase, you can indulge yourself in various ways to make your dead follicles alive.

The life of Hair Follicle

The hair follicle growth is not solely dependent upon the follicle’s life but on the overall health of a person. If you are aware of your lifestyle, diet, styling, and pollution and the impact it can have on the health of your hair; you will put an effort to avoid those factors which will help to extend the life of your hair follicle cycle. This will ultimately result in healthier hair.

Follicles are more responsible for the appearance of your hair. The texture and color of your hair depend on the hair follicle. The pigment of the hair is determined by the melanin present in the follicles’ cells. When you age your follicles lose the ability to store the melanin causing the hair to lose its color. Eventually, your hair turns gray. 

The texture of the hair is determined by the shape of your hair follicles. The circle follicles generate straight hair and the oval ones generate curlier hair.

Damaged hair follicles might disrupt hair regrowth. But if you pull your hair out of the follicle; there is the possibility that your hair can re-grow. The damaged and blocked hair follicles can be treated for hair regrowth. But if your follicles are dead unfortunately the probability of re-growing your hair diminishes. Follicles do not die at once. It deteriorates with time. Therefore it is advised to treat your hair follicle issues before your follicles are dead. 

Hair Follicle Issues

The hair follicle like any other part of our body may be affected due to some external stimuli causing it in severe hair loss conditions. Some serious conditions that affect hair regrowth and hair follicle growth due to follicle issues are listed.

Androgenetic alopecia

The baldness characterized by slowing hair cycles causing the hair follicles to weaken and eventually stopping hair regrowth is ‘androgenetic alopecia’. This is often termed as male pattern baldness. The follicles eventually stop producing any new hair even after the telogen phase. This is seen in the scalp follicle.

Alopecia areata 

This disease is caused due to the autoimmune system present in the human body. Your body can fight foreign bodies when it enters your system. Unfortunately, the follicle cells are often attacked by the immune system as it mistakes it for a foreign body! This causes hair loss in clumps and patches. This is also a scalp follicle condition.

Folliculitis

The inflammation of the hair follicles leads to this issue. It is not limited to the follicles of your scalp but wherever your body has follicles; this condition can be observed. This condition results in bumps and rashes on your skin that may be red, white, or yellow. It may be itchy and cause hair loss. 

Telogen Effluvium 

This is a temporary hair loss due to stress and tension causing your hair to thin and eventually fall out. The hair falls out in clumps or patches mostly from your scalp but in extreme cases from other parts of your body as well. This might include the armpit region and the pubic area. Sometimes it is caused due to hormones mostly in pregnant women, illness, surgery, or even a new medication. 

Blocked follicles

This is a very common issue of the hair follicle often ignored. The blocked or clogged pores of the follicle prevent the hair to push out and it grows under the skin. This is called- ingrown hair. It affects the appearance of the skin as it doesn’t appear flawless and healthy.

Hair follicle treatment

It is always advised to visit dermatologists if any of the above condition or hair follicle issue is observed. In addition to the medical recommendation given by your dermatologists, some natural measures can stimulate the hair follicles and help the hair to regrow.

• Massage your scalp with the natural and essential oils which will stimulate the blood supply and eventually nourish your follicles
• The use of aloe vera, yogurt, and egg whites can help in the hydration of your skin which will help your follicle to get nourishment in addition to the sebum-gland.
• Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle 
• Avoid brushing your hair vigorously that can damage your follicles resulting in it not producing hairs.

by Dr Jaspreet Sarna August 5, 2021

Are these terms baffling you? Don’t worry! We are here to quickly explain to you what is male pattern baldness, baldness in men and what is male pattern baldness cure. In simple words, male pattern baldness is nothing but hair loss from your scalp and it can typically start happening in the form of a particular pattern begining initially with hair thinning that tends to grow more leading to complete loss of hair from your scalp. Hair fall is a very common delinquent which can be seen in numerous people. But male pattern baldness is one major cause of hair fall in men. Baldness in men generally occurs in adult males who are more than 50 years of age. A study also states that male pattern baldness is a very common hair loss type in men and more than 50% of the males can get affected by men’s hair balding. The more they age, the more is the percentage of affected males. Male pattern baldness is also known as androgenic alopecia, androgenetic alopecia, this baldness in men which can affect about 80% of the total mass of males aged around 80 or above. The early signs of male pattern baldness like suppose thinning of the hair follicles can be noticed in the early twenties or thirties as well. Though people of Japan and China are less prone to get affected by this disease. During the primary stages, this male type of baldness tends to appear at the front part of your scalp or the top of your scalp. Before we move on to the types and treatments of male pattern baldness, we will quickly let you know about some basic causes of male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness happens due to various reasons. Some are: Baldness in men due to stress:

Stress is a very important factor these days irrespective of male or female. You should plan and execute your work properly to stay away from any kind of stress. Stress can lead to telogen effluvium ( Type 2 hair loss ) or heavy shedding.Genetic Factors:

Genetics can have lots of effects on a person’s life and it is a very common factor for male pattern baldness. In all likelihood, anyone in the family history who is suffering or has suffered from this problem will have more chances of spreading this problem to the coming generations. A son suffering from male pattern baldness generally happens from his parents.Hormonal Imbalances:

Hormones play a vital role in your body and health. Androgens are also known as male sex hormones or testosterone and are related to hair growth. Well with age the hormonal effect also changes; thus, it can lead to shrinkage of your hair follicles. Hair follicles are weakened which shortens the hair growth and also leads to finer or thinner growth of hair strands. This cycle of shortening of hair growth continues to occur and after a certain age, no hair grows from that particular region of your scalp resulting in male pattern baldness.

Some other causes besides these main causes are: –

• Male pattern baldness can occur after any vital surgery or even as a side effect of some medicines. 
• It can also be a symptom of any fungal infections or thyroid issues.
• DTH or dihydrotestosterone hormones can be effectively sensitive for your hair follicles. Though this doesn’t occur in all cases varying from person to person depending upon the level of sensitivity it causes to your hair follicles. The more sensitive your hair follicle the quicker the action begins of thinning and shortening of your hair strands. It’s the main hormone that causes male pattern baldness and thinning hair .
• Excess intake of Vitamin A, deficiency of iron, and malnutrition can lead to male baldness.

Undoubtedly you might be thinking of the types of male pattern baldness as you all are now aware of what is balding and what are the factors causing male pattern baldness. Let’s deep dive into this topic so that it becomes easier for you to understand at which stage of male pattern baldness you are currently suffering. 

Male pattern baldness or Baldness in Men, can be wrongly judged as normal hair fall at its initial stages. Hair loss is normal but it can become an issue if you suddenly notice that your hair Is becoming thin and lots of hair fall occurring in patches. Undoubtedly, you might be wondering how did you lose so much hair instantaneously. Won’t you? That’s when you realize that you are suffering from male type baldness and it was all but a secret to you all these days. Though it rarely has any physical health issues, mentally it can lead to depression because of the change in the look that happens overnight.

M-shaped Hairline is a type of male pattern baldness where you will notice that your forehead hairs are taking the shape like the English alphabet, leading to thin hair follicle growth and making your forehead more visible. This is a very early sign and hardly gets observed.

When you see that your hair is taking the form of numerous shapes like M, U or V naturally, understand that you are no longer at the basic stage of male pattern baldness. While you notice the change in your hairline, the problem becomes more visible. At this stage, you suffer from immense hair loss and this fall of your hair gradually moves from your forehead towards the top portion of your scalp; showing early signs of bald spots.

The very next stage is when you are losing lots of hair in patches. The occurrence of bald spots is more evident and hair falls from the back end of your head.

The next type is when your hair is taking a U shape from the front part of your forehead and progressively increasing towards the middle of your scalp. This is a severe stage of balding and treating your hair from this stage can become enormously problematic.

The very next step can make almost the entire scalp of yours visible as the bald patches get engorged and the middle or top part of your scalp becomes completely bald. The growth of hair follicles becomes extremely short and this in this type of male pattern baldness.

The last stage or type of male pattern baldness is when you have lost almost all your hairs from the crown part and very little, thin hairs remain at both the sides of your scalp. Unfortunately, you can hardly opt for any treatment or natural remedy if have reached this stage. Well, you can try out some alternatives though. The best way would be if you accept and embrace this new natural look of yours. Otherwise, you can try out some fedoras or toupees or you can simply try out with hair wigs.

You might be thinking if this is what your future appearance looks like. Right? Don’t worry! We have covered up some male pattern baldness treatment for you so that you can take proper care of your hair and restrict it from reaching the deadly stage of complete hair loss. Let’s have a look at what are those.

You all think hair loss very common phenomenon. That’s completely true. But you need to understand the rate at which you are losing your hair. Many of you ignore this fact and think that there is no need for treatment. It’s of course not always necessary. But treating your hair properly is a sign of taking proper care of your hair. Some male pattern baldness treatments are: –

• Hair Transplantation

Hair Transplantation is another male baldness treatment. As the name suggests it involves the transplantation of hair from one place onto your scalp. This is an expensive male pattern baldness treatment. It is being studied that hair that grows at the back portion of the scalp is more resilient to androgen hormone. Thus, that area of the scalp has vigorous hair growth. Hair growing in those sections is taken and placed in balding areas. Since this procedure has several sessions it has its effects as well. It can lead to infection and scarring. Although expensive it is a more natural remedy for baldness and unlike finasteride and minoxidil, it is an everlasting solution as the hair transplanted to the balding areas is more resistant to androgen hormone. Hence, it is a plus that can help in hair regrowth for them suffering from male pattern baldness.

• Wigs and Weaves

Wigs and hairpieces can be a great solution to male pattern baldness. As you all might be very well aware, wigs are available in distinctive varieties. You can choose hair wigs according to your preference as a variety of texture and color is available and it can naturally change your look. Add on to this a hairstyling expert setting up your hair. Won’t you have a perfectly natural appearance? The best thing is it does not have any adverse effect as such. This is one of the best remedies for baldness in men.

Weaves are nothing but hair wigs that are attached to your natural hair. You will have to remove your artificial hairpiece while performing certain activities like swimming or while taking a shower and even during sleep. This is where weaves can be a better solution as this is joined with your natural hair and does not require any wear and open theory. It can be a constant companion and does not require any kind of removal. But it has a shortcoming too. It can cause hindrance to the growth of your natural hair and you need to stitch the hair wigs again and again whenever a new hair grows.

• Opting for shampoo and oiling treatment.

Shampoo treatments like Ketoconazole and Pyrithione also commonly known as Nizoral and Head and Shoulders respectively can help reduce male pattern baldness. This process though does not require prescribed certifications.

Organic oils like sesame oil and neem oil, extra virgin coconut oil, rosemary oil, tea tree oil are some of the best hair regrowth oil for baldness.

Medicinal science is no wonder more advanced now. But the age-old ayurvedic treatments still have their charm. Here are some basic ayurvedic treatments for male pattern baldness. They are: –

At Rejuvenate Health, you can also book an online appointment for free, that will allow our team of experts to make the necessary diagnosis and approach your case in the proper way. We understand that each case merits a separate approach, and have therefore customized hair fall solutions for men.

Creatine for hair is a source of energy and an organic compound naturally produced by your liver, kidneys and pancreas. It is stored in the skeletal muscles, and the body uses it as energy. But does creatine cause hair loss? 

A study was conducted in 2009 in South Africa on a group of young college rugby players regarding creatine for hair and it’s effect on hair loss. These players were given supplements that contained creatine for hair, for three weeks. Researchers of this study found that the level of DHT increased over fifty per cent, but the levels of testosterone didn’t change.  

So if you ask if there is something called creatine hair loss or thinning hair, there isn’t much to indicate that creatine in hair can cause hair loss. We have evidence from personal experiences of people, and at times, these claims against creatine for hair and hair loss can be anecdotal. 

This article will unfurl the relation between creatine for hair and DHT, creatine hair loss and side effects of creatine for hair. Read on to learn what research has to say about creatine in hair or hair loss/thinning hair line and discover more on does creatine cause hair loss.

Relationship Between Creatine For Hair & DHT

To answer the question, does creatine cause hair loss, we need to understand the relation between DHT and creatine for hair. But before that, what is DHT? DHT is a male sex hormone, meaning it stimulates the development of male characteristics. It is linked to hair loss and other health issues. DHT is derived from testosterone, but it is more dominant than testosterone. 

Creatine for hair increases the DHT levels by converting testosterone into a more active form. Since DHT is a more active and potent form of testosterone, which is also responsible for hair growth, with an increase in the DHT, creatine in hair can cause hair loss. 

Citing the example of the creatine for hair – tests on the rugby players, an increase in the DHT level was observed in the study. We know that DHT levels play a significant role in hair loss; this can increase a person’s risk of hair loss, especially if they are exposed to hormonal hair loss or genetic hair loss issues.

That said, more research work is required to conclude whether DHT increase due to supplements containing creatine for hair can lead to creatine hair loss. 

Possible Side Effects Of Creatine For Hair 

Along with finding an answer to whether creatine in hair causes creatine hair loss, you also need to know about the side effects of creatine for hair. And if you consider using it, you but definetely look out for creatine side effects. Below we discuss the side effects of creatine and hair loss:

• Water retention
• Weight gain
• Dizziness
• Dehydration
• Fever 
• Heat intolerance
• Fatigue
• Muscle cramping
• Nausea
• Gastrointestinal pain 
• Kidney issues

One must always check for creatine side effects especially if allergic. While you should consider all of these side effects of creatine in hair, these side effects of creatine for hair also largely depend on your body and any underlying diseases. People undergoing medication should be cautious while using as significant side effects of creatine for hair can also cause harm to the liver and heart. But does creatine cause hair loss ?

What Does Research Say About Creatine For Hair?

Does creatine cause hair loss? There is a lot of analysis needed to sum up an answer to whether creatine for hair causes hair loss, but for now, there isn’t much to point out that supplements containing creatine for hair can cause hair loss. As mentioned already, it largely depends and varies from person to person and their take on creatine and hair loss. 

There isn’t much scientific research to feed us with an appropriate answer: does creatine cause hair loss. There is only one scientific literature piece of the rugby players research we talked about earlier in the article. The players in the study took a whopping amount of creatine – twenty-five grams a day. Usually, the recommended amount is five grams. 

The researchers found that creatine for hair may enhance the conversion of testosterone to DHT – the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness. But if you reconsider the research and question, does creatine cause hair loss, you’ll find that it did not prove that creatine in hair can causes hair loss. Moreover, the study was done only on a very small group of people. 

“You are what you can digest”. Most of us have foods like chapati and bread on a daily basis that contain gluten which is not just difficult to digest but also harmful to hair and health. Recent studies show that gluten can also affect your neurological system and cause several brain disorders. Now-a-days, many opt for the latest food trends, the most recent one being a “Gluten-Free” Diet due to the various side effects that it has.

But before diving deep, let’s first understand what gluten is and how it particularly affects hair and health. 

What is Gluten? 

Gluten is a natural protein found in some of the most common food grains like wheat, rye and barley. But just as the pronunciation goes, gluten is basically a “GLUE” that holds the entire food product together. It has this ‘stretchy’ quality which helps to roll out a pizza dough without which the dough would rip apart. The sad part about this GLUE is that it’s present in most of our day-to-day foods like roti, bread, pasta, cereals and so on. 

So what exactly happens when you eat Gluten ?

Recent studies lay emphasis on gut health as the most important aspect that affects almost everything – from mental health to hair health. Gluten tends to damage the inner lining of the intestine thereby blocking the essential nutrient absorption. This reflects on hair making them weak and eventually causing them to fall-off. Various other side effects after consuming gluten include:

• Bloating of the abdomen – feeling of fullness, heaviness and lasting discomfort in the abdomen, unrelated to the quantity of food eaten. It is the gluten (even though in a small quantity) causing the stomach symptoms. 
• Gas – bloating of the stomach and a buildup of gas starts to occur after a gluten-containing meal.
• Diarrhea and constipation – indigestion and irregular bowel movements are a common symptom after gluten is consumed. 
• Abdominal pain – frequent instances of abdominal pain without any other cause is common after a heavy gluten meal.
• Fatigue – a persistent feeling of tiredness and lethargy can be mistakenly attributed to many other medical conditions, but is a very common symptom of the after effects of eating gluten.
• Nausea – Some people tend to nauseate after consuming gluten.
• Muscle and joint pain- Consuming gluten can also be inflammatory. Pain in the joints is another common and long term effect of consuming too much gluten in the diet.

Why Should One Go Gluten-Free? 

The above listed side effects fall under an umbrella term known as “Gluten-Intolerance”. This is an auto-immune (self-damaging) response to the consumption of gluten.  Over time, consuming gluten triggers widespread inflammation and damage to the lining of the small intestine, making it practically impossible to absorb nutrients, vitamins (like Vit. B complex, Vit. C, etc.) and minerals (like zinc, selenium, magnesium, and many more). Malabsorption or lack of all these nutrients can lead to medical complications and hair loss.

While the causes of hair loss are many such as age, genetics, hormonal problems, pollution, heat and chemical treatments; one of the most important causes of hair loss is poor gut health due to gluten intolerance and the nutrient deficiencies that follow. While gluten intolerance is seen in a number of people, it is left undiagnosed in most. This is because it can range from very mild to severe and therefore, becomes difficult to diagnose in very mild cases. 

What’s the Link Between Gluten Intolerance & Hair loss?

Gluten intolerance leads to an auto-immune response by the body which is also associated with a number of auto-immune disorders that result in hair loss.

Celiac Disease: Most nutrients and vitamins are absorbed in the lining of the small intestine. Inflammation and damage to this lining by gluten results in Celiac disease. This causes overgrowth of harmful bacteria leading to deficiencies and in turn, hair loss and other medical problems.

Alopecia Areata: Studies have shown that a large number of patients having gluten intolerance also end up having a hair fall condition called Alopecia Areata. This disorder happens when your own body attacks your hair follicles leading to hair loss in patches.

When all remedies for hair loss fail, people tend to switch to a gluten free diet only to see magical results in their hair health as well as general wellbeing. This is the most common way people usually find out about gluten intolerance.

What is a “Gluten-Free” Diet?

After understanding all about gluten and the damage that it can cause, let’s try and figure out how we can incorporate a “gluten-free” diet . Gluten free diet means avoiding any foods that contain wheat, rye or barley. This means eliminating a number of daily food items as well as a lot of packaged and processed foods containing gluten, most of which you may be unaware of. Some of these food items are:

• Chapatis: Wheat rotis, chapatis, parathas and items made from them
• Bread: Whole wheat bread and white bread i.e. pizzas, burgers, pita breads, sourdough breads and tortillas
• Snacks: Biscuits, pastries, cakes, cookies, doughnuts, pancakes, crepes and other baked goods, crackers and instant noodles like Maggi
• Sauces: like soy and ketchup, condiments, salad dressings Beverages: like beer and ales, pre-made drink mixes
• Others: Granola, breakfast cereals, muesli and energy bars & Oats (unless gluten free oats)

Though a gluten free diet may put a stop to many of your favourite and easily available items, there is still a wide range of options available such as: 

• Whole grains and their flours (quinoa, rice, jowar, bajra, nachni or ragi, samo atta, corn or makkai atta, amaranth, arrowroot, gluten free oats)
• All vegetables and fruits
• Nuts and seeds

How to Switch to a Gluten Free Diet?

Getting the hang of a gluten free diet isn’t as hard as it seems when you know the ground rules. Today, anyone can switch to a gluten free diet to help put a stop to hair loss. The trick here is to pay more attention to the kind of foods that you eat. For starters, when buying bread, pasta or cereal, be sure to go for those made with gluten-free flours like ragi, amaranth or nut flours. Here’s a few tips on how to go gluten free: Keep an eye for gluten free labels: When buying any food packets, keep an eye out for food labels and watch out for the ingredients from the list of gluten to avoid when starting with  a gluten free diet (mentioned above). 
Don’t be fooled by the food industry: Play food detective and look for phrases like “gluten free”, “low gluten” or “not made with gluten-containing ingredients” written in bold or flashed across the packet. Read the labels carefully to make sure there is no gluten or cross contact with gluten in any ingredients.

Benefits of Switching to a Gluten Free Diet:

• Reversal of hair loss occurring due to gluten
• Helps in weight loss
• Controls blood sugar levels
• Is good for the heart
• Battles cancer cells
• Improves digestion and makes you free from symptoms of gluten intolerance like bloating, flatulence, indigestion, constipation or diarrhea.