Special Tips and Tricks: Preventing Hair Loss

If people could prevent hair loss from happening in the first place, they would save themselves a lot of time, effort and stress. Fortunately, there are a number of other activities one can undertake to reduce the chances of the condition occuring! Here they are:

▽Keep your hair free of dandruff - At the most basic, it is recommended that we engage in good hair hygiene, shampooing our hair on a regular basis – partly because having too much dandruff is known as a contributing cause for hair loss. Dermatologists recommend those with dandruff problems use a high-powered shampoo such as Nizoral 1%.

▽Stay away from the sun and cigarettes – Everyone knows that an excess of sun and cigarettes can be bad for your skin, but they also can do a number on your hair. One study, unveiled at an annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, examined 66 identical male twins. The research determined that even though hereditary factors were the most important predictor of a receding hairline, heavy sun exposure and smoking also played major roles.

▽Try to be less stressed – Stress can literally make you lose your hair. Experts say that it can lead to short-term hair loss conditions such as alopecia areata, which is characterized by smooth round bald spots. Consider relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or yoga.

▽Consider Caffeine – A study published in the International Journal of Dermatology indicates that caffeine can assist in facilitating hair growth. Specifically, the substance caffeine stimulates the hair shaft and assists its growth by inhibiting the effects of DHT, a chemical that destroys follicles. Another research report found that caffeine could increase hair length by as much as 40%. The only downside is that the studies did not involve drinking cups of coffee, but rather a topical application applied to the scalp. Fortunately, consumers can simulate the effect by purchasing a caffeinated shampoo, of which there are many on the market.

▽Eat foods with the right nutrients – We saved the best (and easiest) strategy for last. Nutrients are necessary for hair to be healthy and grow. A diet dominated by refined grains, fried food, and sugar limits intake of such nutrients and makes the task harder. In fact, studies have shown that that men with insulin resistance and high blood pressure have a higher chance of being bald. To decrease the odds of hair loss, fill your diet with the following vitamins and nutrients:

★ Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These essential nutrients enter the hair shaft and the scalp’s cell membranes, nourishing follicles and advocating healthy hair growth. Additionally, they increase hair elasticity, keeping it from breaking and falling off. Eating foods with them is essential since the body cannot make them on its own.
Foods to Take: Walnuts, flaxseed, tuna, salmon, kale, rapeseed oil, Brussel sprouts.

★ Zinc: Zinc helps the scalp by assisting in tissue growth and repair. Moreover, it’s involved in regulation of hormone levels and maintains creation of oil glands on the scalp that assist hair growth. The recommended daily dosage is 11 mg a day.
Foods to Take: Beef, chickpeas, oysters, wheat germ, veal liver.

★ Protein: This was mentioned previously, but bears repeating. Your hair is largely composed of protein, so not eating enough can cause hair loss, or at the very least premature graying.
Foods to Take: Greek yogurt, kale, egg yolks, peanuts, peas, beans, lentils, tofu, turkey, chicken.

★ Iron: Iron enhances circulation by carrying blood to cells throughout the body. Being iron-deficient may mean your can’t deliver enough oxygen to the scalp for sufficient hair growth. This is why some studies have shown an increase in hair growth following treatment for iron-deficient anemia.
Foods to Take: Dark leafy greens, whole grains, beans, red meat, turkey, egg yolks, clams, mussels, oysters.

★ Vitamins A and C: These vitamins aid in the manufacture of sebum, the oily substance that follicles release; it helps keep hair from breaking. Vitamin C also augments the amount of iron the body can put to use. That said, Vitamin A use should be moderate — over 15,000 IU a day can increase hair loss; thus, the recommended daily allowance is 5,000 IU a day.
Foods to Take: Swiss chard, broccoli, spinach, pumpkin, sweet potatoes.

★Magnesium: This is the fourth most prevalent mineral in the body, required for over 300 biochemical reactions, including hair growth. Unfortunately, studies indicate that 68% of U.S. adults don’t consume enough of the nutrient. This is problematic, as magnesium deficiencies have been associated with hair loss in men and women.
Foods to Take: Almonds, cashews, spinach, lentils, halibut, brown rice.

★Selenium: This is a trace element that assists the body in making selenoproteins, which manage metabolism, reproduction, immunity, and DNA synthesis. It also stimulates hair follicles in order to promote new growth. If you don’t get enough the body will compensate by making too many selenoproteins, resulting in reduced growth, hair follicle abnormalities, and hair loss.
Foods to Take: Brazil nuts, halibut, tuna, ham, shrimp sardines

The methods discussed on the last few pages are targeted at helping stop hair loss before it starts. But what can be done to help those who are already showing signs? The next chapter takes a look at the most successful treatments and therapies for this condition.

Is your hair thinning?
Do you need a solution to regrow your hair without taking medications?
We have the perfect therapy for you--ReHair® Laser Cap. Its a low- level laser light therapy that stimulates the hair follicle to regrow.