The average scalp contains about 100,000 hairs, and may lose about 100 a day. Each individual hair lives for about 4-1/2 years, growing about a half inch per month. When a hair falls out, it is normally replaced within 6 months by a new one. Baldness occurs when the body' fails to produce new hairs.
Hair and nails, the only nonliving tissue on the human body, are composed primarily of a fibrous protein known as keratin. New hair sprouts up as keratin builds up in the scalp. The health of hair is maintained by nutrients from the nutrient-rich blood which flows to the scalp. Hair loss may be caused by a variety of factors, including disease, emotional stress, environmental circumstances, hormonal changes, an under active thyroid gland, immune disorders, certain inherited genetic factors, or by chemotherapy or other drugs.
Hair loss problems can also arise due to nutritional deficiencies in the person. Herbs, and other healing foods, which may be helpful for preventing baldness, include: horsetail, kelp, licorice root, rosemary, safflower, saw palmetto, sesame, and yellow dock. Vitamins, or vitamin rich foods, which may be beneficial, include: B6 , beta-carotene, B complex, biotin, C, calcium & magnesium, choline & inositol, copper, E, folic acid, iron, multi-vitamin, omega-3 fatty acids, silicon, and zinc.
Some herbs may also be used externally. They are normally used at a tea or vinegar, and applied as a hair rinse. Beneficial herbs may include: aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, ginger, rosemary, sage, shavegrass, stinging nettle, and yarrow.
To maintain a hair-freindly body, avoid alcohol, salt, and tobacco. Don't bombard your hair with hair dyes or other toxins. Moderate exercise may be helpful in providing blood circulation to the scalp. Try to keep cholesterol levels low. Consuming a high protein diet may also be beneficial.
Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended for use as diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional.
Good For Hair Loss
What is the best source for hair loss help? The Yellow Pages doesn't have a place where you can simply look up "hair loss doctor", and someone who specializes in hair loss is hard to find. Constantly people are doing research and looking for better ways to treat hair loss. So when you need hair loss help you should make sure you select someone who is up to date on the most recent research and advances in the field.
The Internet
Educating yourself is the best place to start and the internet is the best place to go for your education. Since hair loss has a lot of new information coming out, the library probably has out of date information.
Make sure your sources are reliable as with any information you get on the internet. A site called "Bob's Miracle Hair Growth Treatment" should tell you to take the information with a grain of salt. Health education and medical sites are the best places to look for information.
Your Barber or Hairdresser
Those who have training in ways to treat and prevent hair loss are the hair care professionals. To make your hair appear thicker and fuller they will be able to recommend products to you. When you go to get your next haircut you will be surprised at how much hair loss help you can get.
A Trichologist
Many people have never heard of a trichologist. They are a hair care professional with a special training in hair loss treatment. The reason for wanting to talk with one is pretty much self-explanatory.
The Drugstore
The drugstore is a place to find lots of help. To get some suggestions for products you can talk with the pharmacist and find products to purchase that are specifically made to help hair loss.
Your Primary Health Care Practitioner
For hair loss products that you cannot get on your own you can see your primary care physician or nurse practitioner. The cause of your hair loss can also be diagnosed. To decide if there is an underlying problem causing your hair loss your doctor might order some tests and do a physical exam. Your doctor may then prescribe medications or they may refer you to a specialist once the test results come back.
A Dermatologist
The closest thing to a medical hair care specialist that you can find is a dermatologist. There are not many dermatologists who specialize in hair loss help, but there are a few. You will probably wait several months before getting an appointment and many of them are located near larger population centers. Dermatologists are well trained and even if they don't offer specialized they can still treat most people who are losing their hair.
A Board Certified Hair Restoration Surgeon
Typically these types of surgeons are plastic surgeons with additional training in hair restoration surgery. Hair transplants is what they perform. You can sometimes get cosmetic and medical hair loss help at complete clinics.
Some detective work is required to find hair loss help. Ask questions and educate yourself. Always talk with someone who can help whether it is a barber, hairdresser or your primary health care provider. Ask around and call a few dermatologists to find what experience they have in treating hair loss. You will find the best hair loss help if you know what you are looking for so you should be your own advocate.
Both Charles Browne & Caitlin Thomas are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Charles Browne has sinced written about articles on various topics from Nutrition, Supplements and Nutrition. Charles Browne is an ezine author promoting nutritional healing, and disease prevention. He is also co-author of the web comic .. Charles Browne's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Caitlin Thomas has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hair Care. Caitlin Thomas is an expert on .. Caitlin Thomas's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Air Travel Baggage Restrictions When you pack your bags incorrectly the consequences may be quite serious, so make sure you familiarize yourself with the rules of travel and the process in which your bags are screened before prepari...