Bad hair days... You could wear a hat, use a bobby pin, try to cover the spots with very specifically placed hair (like Trump does).
Arrowroot powder and cocoa powder can even hide wide parts. Some women use wigs (that actually sounds fun because you can totally change your look). But anyway, I've been there! Done it! But wouldn't it be better if you could figure out how to prevent hair loss in the first place? I usually start by trying to figure out why. Possible reasons for hair loss are high cortisol level, hormonal imbalances (particularly with estrogen and progesterone), high stress, leaky gut, nutritional deficiencies (low iron is a very common one), thyroid disorders, auto-immune conditions, and even heavy metal toxicity (do you have silver fillings?).
I've always known about the stress issue (my hair would literally fall out in clumps when I was under stress), but I recently discovered why stress causes hair loss. Tuft's University School of Medicine has reported that one reason why stress causes hair loss is related to the corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) that is released in the skin in response to stress. CRH can cause inflammation that disrupts the growth of hair follicles and destroys the roots. When a woman is under stress, her scalp produces more CRH receptors, allowing more of the hormone to bind to them, causing inflammation (and the resulting follicle/root disruptions).
The type of hair loss you are experiencing could be a sign regarding the root cause. Hormonal imbalances or disruptions are very common these days. Patchy hair loss (not losing all over but more in spots) tends to be associated with cortisol imbalance, deficiencies in B vitamin or zinc, or a heavy metal exposure. If there is a thyroid issue, typically the hair would be thinning all over. Another way to scan for thyroid issues is a simple temperature test. In the morning in bed, before actually rising, put the thermometer under your arm for 15 minutes while remaining still. Keep a log for about 5 days and if you see a pattern of 97.6 or lower during that time period, you may have a thyroid issue and should consult a doctor for diagnostic testing. Hair loss at the top of the head (but nowhere else) tends to be associated with testosterone, estrogen and progesterone being out of balance.
Balding all over the head could indicate poor circulation, a deficiency in protein, essential fatty acids, B vitamins, silicon or zinc. Total body hair loss is often a sign of blood sugar dysregulation or circulation issues as well.
Are you seeing the key words here? Poor circulation, inflammation, nutritional deficiencies... It makes sense that while trying to find the root cause, you would also look for natural remedies to address these symptoms.
Supplementation - If you are concerned about possible nutritional deficiencies consider adjusting your diet with specific foods and also looking at supplements. Vitamin B can be found in wheat germ, whole grains, nuts, seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, and legumes. If looking to supplement, you want to find a vitamin that is a B complex
vitamin with B12 and folate (not folic acid). Supplementing with Omega 3s (fish oils) can help replace essential fatty acids that are a common factor in poor skin and hair health. Taking additional iron can be helpful as well. If you are trying to maximize absorption of vitamins and minerals, try apple cider vinegar. Take 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar at least 30 minutes before a meal to help with raising the stomach acids to help with nutrient absorption. I take a daily pack of 3 supplements from DoTerra, called the Life Long Vitality Pack - a whole food supplement (that's your vitamins and minerals), an Omega 3 supplement, and finally a supplement that I call my brain pill. This one is for cellular vitality - did you catch that? cellular vitality - you need healthy cells if you expect your scalp to produce adequate hair. This supplement also contains ingredients that help to decrease inflammation (remember that key word?) such as green tea leaf, turmeric, milk thistle, and ginko biloba.
Essentials oils - these should really be a tool in your tool kit. They are affordable, easy to use, and they work! In a recent study, participants used cedarwood, rosemary, lavender, and thyme mixed with jojoba and grapeseed oil on a daily basis on the area of concern. The results were significant in that 44% of patients in this controlled study showed hair re-growth. Here are the oils that multiple research studies have found to be helpful for hair health:
- Rosemary essential oil stimulates hair follicles and enhances hair growth. It specifically increases cellular metabolism so that the hair follicles are active and hair growth is then stimulated.
- Peppermint cleans out hair follicles so that the hair can grow without disruption and the follicle is larger (for a larger root). It stimulates blood circulation to the skin, which helps with increasing dermal thickness, the # of follicles, and follicle depth. It also clarifies and strengthens the hair strand so there is less splitting and breakage. Lemon, grapefruit, and other citrus oils also clean out the gunk in the hair follicles, as peppermint does.
- Cedarwood has been found to stimulate the scalp and get blood flowing to the hair follicles, which then increases circulation and growth. It essentially does what a hair massager would do. Thyme oil has also been found to stimulate the scalp.
- Lavender oil has been found to help with hair growth as well because it is anti-microbial and clears the follicles of bacteria. It has added benefits of soothing the scalp and promoting relaxation, which decreases stress.
There are a few additional honorable mentions for the beauty of hair. Geranium helps to strengthen the hair strand. Ylang Ylang helps to increase shine of hair.
Now that you know what each oil is for, have fun playing around with different combinations. To get you started, simply add a few drops to your shampoo/conditioner. You can make a hair growth treatment mask with equal parts (1-2 drops) peppermint, rosemary, lavender in a tbsp. of coconut oil in the palm of your hand. Blend the oil mix into the hair, starting with the roots, then working to the ends of the hair. Brush hair straight back and put in a bun. Keep the oil in your hair for at least 20 mins. If you desire to sleep in the oil mix, you can use a shower cap to prevent oil stains on your pillows. An even simpler recipe is a Rosemary/lavender spray. Use about 10 drops of each in small spray bottle (about 1/4 cup of water). Spray into the patchy area daily and rub it in.
To shop for pure, therapeutic grade, sourced from indigenous areas, click here: www.mydoterra.com/aimeeemyers
Rosemary Lavender Rinse Recipe: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipes-rosemary-lavender-hair-rinse
For a more detailed article about the LLV supplements click the link: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/science-wellness-living-a-life-of-health-and-vitality
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