Is your hair falling out in chunks? Experts say losing 100 strands of hair a day is normal but have you noticed a little too much hair on your pillowcase and on your hairbrush? While hair fall is a common problem all of us suffer from, it can really be stressful if you ALREADY have thin hair. A receding hairline is something most women worry about. If you’ve noticed hair fall that’s more than usual it might be time to dive a little deeper and identify the cause of hair fall.
What are the causes of hair loss?
While hair fall is normal, excessive hair fall could be an indicator of an underlying health concern. These are a few factors that might be contributing to hair loss.
Hormones
A hormonal imbalance could be a cause for excessive hair loss. If you have started any hormone medication or if you went off any hormone medication recently… this could be causing hair fall. Other causes for hormonal imbalance are PCOD/PCOS, pregnancy, menopause and irregular periods.
Scalp Infection
A scalp infection, fungal or even dandruff could aggravate hair fall. When your scalp is clogged, it leads to flaking, excessive oil production and dandruff. Maintain a clean scalp by using a mild shampoo or a medicated shampoo that contains Zinc Pyrithione (ZPTO) or Salicylic Acid.
Diet
If your hair has been falling out in bunches, look into your food habits. Have you started a new medication? Is your diet poor in nutrients and vitamins? Vitamins A, C, D and E, zinc, protein, iron and biotin deficiencies cause hair loss. Vitamins, minerals and Omega-3 fatty acids are a must if you want strong and shiny hair. Eat foods that are rich in protein, biotin and omega. Spinach, eggs, berries, nuts, avocados, salmon, seeds (sunflower, flax and chia) are some essential foods you should consume for happy, healthy hair. It might be worth it to start taking oral supplements to combat hair fall. Here are some hair-supplements that you can take, after consulting with your physician.
Stress
Any kind of stress on your body causes hair loss. Whether you are stressed mentally, or your body is stressed following some kind of disease or surgery – hair loss is a common side effect. Speak to your doctor and try to see if there are any supplements that you can take to reduce the severity of hair loss. If you are stressed mentally, try to eat healthier and indulge in a little bit of yoga or meditation to calm your mind.
Weather
A change in weather can also cause excessive hair fall. Did you know that in the monsoons you lose more hair than usual? Once your body and scalp acclimatize, the hair fall should reduce by itself.
Also Read About How to apply Oil in Hair
How to stop hair loss?
Hair fall can really play on your self-esteem. With age, the structure and health of your hair change, making it look thinner or causing it to fall out more. Identifying the cause of your hair fall is as important as stopping it in its tracks. Here are a few things you can do to stop your hair from falling out.
| Better Hygiene | Wash your hair as often as required. If you sweat a lot, you need to wash your hair more frequently. |
| Improved Diet | Add vitamins, minerals, zinc and fatty acids like omega 3-6-9 to your diet. This will improve your overall health and the health of your hair. These are some superfoods that you should consume. They will completely change the texture and quality of your hair. |
| Hair supplements | If your diet is unable to provide you with adequate nutrition, check with your physician before taking any hair supplements. |
| Head Massage | Give yourself frequent head massages. Oiling your hair once or twice a week is known to improve blood circulation and improve the health of your scalp. This promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss. When you massage your skin, it encourages blood to rush to the area to promote healing. Regular massages will keep your head healthy and hair long and strong. |
| Hair and Scalp Treatments | If you have any problems like dandruff or dermatitis, use treatment products for your hair and scalp. This will help bring back the PH balance on your scalp. |
| Shampoo and Conditioner meant for your hair type | If you have an oily scalp, you should stay away from heavy moisturising shampoos. Since your hair is already oily, adding a heavy shampoo could cause your scalp to get clogged |
Hair oils that promote hair growth
What’s the one hair care tip you’ve received from your mom? Champi! If you grew up in India you know that whether you liked it or not, mom pinned you down at least once a week and began drenching your locks in good ol’ coconut oil. Think about it, you probably had the best hair of your life in school! Thick, long, healthy and shiny hair. Why do you think that is? Yes, the answer is oiling. Oiling your hair promotes hair growth, increases blood circulation on your scalp, conditions your hair and stops hair fall. For longer, stronger and glossier hair, you need a great hair oil! There are plenty of hair oils on the market that promise long, strong and healthy hair. How does one pick the right one for their hair type? Well, you’re in luck we are going to help you find the ONE, the best hair oil for hair growth. No matter what your budget and what kind of hair oil you like, we have a few options for you.
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Coconut Oil
An oil most Indians have and use daily, coconut oil has numerous benefits. From skin, hair, cooking to cleaning – its applications are endless. Best used as a hot oil treatment to condition and tame your tresses, a coconut oil massage is something we have all gotten from our mother’s at some point. Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties and is rich in lauric acid. This means that it is great to keep your scalp healthy and free of any bacterial and fungal infections. It conditions your hair and scalp and promotes the growth of more hair.
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Olive Oil
An oil well-known to every health-conscious eater, this oil has numerous skin, hair and health benefits. A good quality olive oil will cost you a lot but it is worth every penny. You can use it as makeup remover and as a hair oil. It helps soften, nourish and treat your hair and makes it manageable and frizz-free. It also gets rid of dandruff and wards off any other scalp infections. You can leave it on as an overnight mask for added benefits. The best way I have found to use olive oil for hair growth is to get a head massage using it once a week. Leave the oil for an hour or two after the head massage and then take a steam. After steam, take a shower but don’t use any shampoo. Wake up the next morning and shampoo and condition your hair as usual. You will be able to see and feel the difference.
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Sesame Oil
Like olive and coconut oil, sesame oil too can be used for hair, skin and cooking. It’s a heavy, thick oil that helps in rehydrating your hair and encourages hair growth. It is vitamin and mineral rich and contains extracts of Vitamin E and B complex. A hot sesame oil massage is known to nourish and heal your scalp. It treats dandruff and adds a lustrous shine to your hair. It is also known to promote the growth of thick hair and stop premature greying. It is a wonderful deep conditioning treatment. It’s harder to wash off, so you may want to dilute it with an oil with a lighter consistency.
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Castor Oil
Castor oil is just as good for your hair as it is for your skin. It’s known to promote hair growth, use it on your lashes, eyebrows and even your scalp. It’s a rich, heavy oil that is great for people with dry hair. It brings back moisture to your skin and improves the health of your scalp. It helps to reduce any inflammation and dandruff.
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Argan Oil
A magical golden elixir, argan oil is used for skin and hair. It’s native to Morocco and is rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E. You can use it to nourish your hair and scalp or as a finishing serum to tame split ends and combat frizz. Because of its ability to penetrate through your hair and scalp, it’s commonly used as a deep conditioning treatment. It promotes hair growth, nourishes dry hair and gives your hair a healthy shine.
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Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil is usually found in its essential oil form. Rosemary is a conventional herb that’s known to have healing benefits. Some studies have shown that Rosemary essential oil helps promote hair growth. It is anti-inflammatory and stimulates hair growth while boosting your blood circulation. If you want to use rosemary for hair growth, the best way to do this would be to add a few drops of rosemary oil to any carrier oil like coconut or jojoba. Alternatively, you could also add a few drops of the essential oil to your shampoo and conditioner.
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Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is an excellent skin hydrant, it has a property that makes it similar to the sebum already present on our skin. Its molecular structure makes it perfect for quick absorption into skin and hair. Beyond this skin-like property, it is also rich in fatty acids, Vitamin E, Omega 3,6 and 9. It helps balance out the sebum production on your skin and scalp, making it healthier. With regular use, the pH balance on your scalp will improve leading to healthier skin and lesser problems like oily hair, dandruff and hairfall. It nourishes your hair from root to tip which means along with promoting hair growth, it’s also going to make your hair shiny and super soft. It is lightweight, absorbs and washes off easily.
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Grapeseed Oil
Much like jojoba oil, grapeseed oil is also lightweight and absorbs easily. Among all the other hair oils, this one is probably the quickest to absorb and easiest to wash off. Extracted from the seeds left over during the winemaking process, grapeseed oil is also beneficial for the skin. It is rich in Vitamin C so that boosts radiance on your skin. It’s also rich in anti-oxidants and fatty acids like omega 3 and 6. Use it on your hair, skin, and body to reap maximum benefits from this healing oil.
If you want a ready mixture of hair-growth boosting oils, Here are 15 of the best hair oils that you can buy!
Biotique Bio Bhringraj Fresh Growth Therapeutic Oil for Falling Hair (Rs 159)
This therapeutic oil contains all natural extracts of pure bhringraj, butea frondosa, amla and centella blended with coconut oil and goat milk. Together, the powerhouse ingredients help treat alopecia, hair loss, diminish greying while nourishing the scalp and hair.
Rey Naturals Cold-Pressed, 100% Pure Castor Oil (Rs 195)
This hair oil is great for both – your skin and hair. It’s rich in numerous vitamins and fatty acids. If you remember one thing about castor oil, it’s that it promotes hair growth. Be it the hair on your head, your eyebrows or your eyelashes. If you want them to grow faster and thicker, add castor oil to your weekly pampering routine and you won’t be let down. Apart from boosting your hair growth, castor oil is also going to going to help your scalp ward off any fungal infections. Castor oil has a rich texture, you may find it beneficial to dilute it in a 50:50 ratio with a lighter oil, for easier application and rinsing.
Parachute 100% Pure Coconut Oil (Rs 199)
A hair oil story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this magical oil that was passed down from one generation to the next. It’s one of the best hair oil brands in India. One of the biggest reasons why Parachute Oil has been around for decades is because it flawlessly delivers. Be it nourishing, strengthening or helping hair growth, this baby nails it every single time. If you have dry and frizzy hair, this affordable coconut oil will do the needful. Did you also know that it works as a natural makeup remover? Give it a try sometime!
VLCC Hair Strengthening Oil (Rs 260)
The beauty of this hair oil is that it strengthens hair from root to tip, heals the scalp from infections and protects hair from sudden climatic changes. It promotes hair growth by nourishing every follicle and simultaneously reduces hair fall efficiently. The rosemary and orange extracts in it help refresh and relax the hair and scalp.
Bajaj Almond Drops Hair Oil (Rs 265)
Almond oil is extremely rich in vitamin E making it perfect for skin and hair. This lightweight oil contains 300 percent more vitamins than coconut oil. Its light soothing fragrance and texture is perfect for daily use. Vitamin E softens and nourishes your hair while balancing out your scalp.
Jovees Bhringraj & Olive Intensive Restructuring Hair Oil (Rs 305)
You know what’s amazing about this particular hair oil? It’s made from the extracts of various plant oils and rare herbs. It is specially formulated to help restore your hair’s volume, texture and boosts its growth. It also keeps premature greying at bay. It’s suitable for almost every hair type and a complete steal for the price.
Earth Organic Amla Hibiscus Hair Oil (Rs 310)
You must know that hibiscus, amla and fenugreek extracts are this oil’s main ingredients. The natural protein in amla promotes hair growth, while hibiscus reduces hair fall and fenugreek controls dandruff. These 3 organic ingredients will bring your hair back to life.
Soulflower Coldpressed Olive Carrier Oil (Rs 350)
Would you believe us if we told you that this organic hair oil acts as a deep conditioner and a dandruff controller at the same time? Well, you should! This tiny bottle is home to extracts from olive oil seeds, vitamins E, K and D3. Apply this oil to your hair five-six times a month and we bet you’ll have long hair in no time.
Khadi Natural Vitalising Hair Growth Oil (Rs 350)
Use this ayurvedic hair oil to massage your scalp and strengthen your roots. With daily use, you will wake up to gorgeous hair day after day. It makes your hair thicker, and helps prevent dryness and hair loss. The goodness of sesame oil, coconut extracts, rosemary drops and Indian licorice give this hair oil a superpower like no other!
Indulekha Bhringa Hair Oil (Rs 430)
This oil is wonderful and unique, it’s bottle makes application a dream! The applicator is in the shape of a comb that dispenses just the right amount of product onto your scalp. It’s one of the best ayurvedic hair oils to treat concerns like hair fall, dandruff and scalp irritations. It has ingredients like Swethakutaja, aloe vera, neem, amla and coconut milk and if you were wondering which oil is best for hair growth and thickness, this is it!
SoulTree Revitalising Hair Oil (Rs 475)
Apart from its gorgeous packaging, this hair oil is enriched with a whole lot of goodness. It’s lightweight and perfect for everyday use, perfect for all hair types. The Amla and Bhrami extract work together to strengthen the hair and nourish the scalp. Sesame oil makes the oil perfect for daily nourishment. It also prevents premature graying of hair. Amazing, right?
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Eyova Egg Oil For Hair Growth (Rs 590)
This one may seem strange when you read the name, egg oil you’re probably thinking. Don’t be fooled by the coy packaging, egg oil is very rich in nutrients. It helps fight inflammation and stimulate blood circulation and imparts a dazzling shine in your hair. If you have ever put an egg on your hair, this hair oil has similar deep conditioning properties.
Also Read: Benefits of Mustard Oil for Hair
Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Intensive Hair Treatment (Rs 650)
This hair treatment oil acts as a deep conditioning treatment. While conditioning your scalp and hair, it also gets rid of any fungal infections, dandruff and promotes hair growth. It contains a powerful blend of ayurvedic ingredients extracted in a way that will help boost hair growth, increase blood circulation and reduce premature graying.
St Botanica Moroccan Argan Hair Growth Oil (Rs 999)
If you are looking for an oil to nourish your hair from root to tip, this is it. A blend of natural oils like coconut, jojoba, almond, castor, olive, moroccan argan, avocado, rosemary, tea tree, tulsi oil, vitamin E and extracts of bhringraj, brahmi, amla, shikakai, methi this is possibly the best hair regrowth oil. It’s got every ingredient your healthy hair needs to thrive. Use it as a conditioning treatment or as a serum to tame unruly hair. Either way, it’s worth every penny.
Royal Indulgence Amaira Hair Growth Oil (Rs 1,199)
This is one of the best ayurvedic hair oils for hair growth. It’s enriched with more than 12 organic herbs that promote hair growth and increase the thickness of your hair. It will condition your hair and strengthen your roots and treat any scalp conditions.