- Supriya Ramesh
Doctors say that it is essential to undergo tests to find out the cause of hair loss, and they also recommend a few more things to help control it.
The hair follicles need to be stimulated!
To control hair loss, the hair follicles need to be stimulated, says Dr. Sushmita Dure, dermatologist at Men Matters.
"Washing the hair frequently removes the natural oils in the hair roots and further triggers hair loss. Likewise, bathing the head only once or twice a week allows oil, dirt, and product residue to accumulate at the hair roots and clog them" he said.
Does washing the head cause hair loss?
Dermatologist Dr. Mickey Singh says, "Many people believe that washing your hair frequently causes hair fall. But that is not true. If hair falls out when you bathe, it is hair that has already detached from the root. It simply comes out when you wash it. So there is no connection between bathing and hair fall.
For those living in humid cities, during the monsoon season, and for people who wear headgear every day, it is healthy to wash your hair every other day" he says.
Derma roller!
The derma roller and scalp massage tools improve blood circulation to the hair follicles. In the case of the derma roller, the minoxidil used along with it (a medicine used for hair loss treatment) stimulates the hair follicles.
However, when using a derma roller, it must be cleaned properly. Since it can carry infections, it can be cleaned and reused after one use. Using it while infected can cause further complications.
Is applying oil necessary?
Dr. Mikki Singh says that coconut oil has good research-backed results in protecting the hair follicles.
"Research findings say that coconut oil helps prevent hair loss. When the oil penetrates the hair, it reduces protein loss from the hair. This helps reduce hair breakage. However, this oil does not significantly reach the hair follicles, coconut oil may only slightly control hair loss and does not help with hair growth or fix baldness" he said.
Also, hair loss can be caused by tying the hair tightly when going to school or college, tight buns worn while going to work, wearing head coverings, heavy artificial hair used for weddings, and the daily use of helmets, which pull at the hairline.
Similarly, minoxidil has been used for baldness for many years. Patience is needed to address hair loss problems, because the results can take some time. It may take four to six months," he said.
Nutrition and lifestyle...
Many vegetarian foods in India are low in protein and high in carbohydrates. Hair is made of protein. Dr. Singh says that one of the common causes of hair loss before weddings is sudden weight loss and sudden dieting.
Sudden patchy hair loss, itching or swelling on the scalp, or a sudden increase in hair loss within a few weeks are signs that you should consult a dermatologist. Searching for and using a product on your own will not help most people. Hair loss can also be genetic, and it can also be caused by stress. He said that the right care routine is one in which identifying the cause of hair loss as early as possible helps resolve the problem quickly.
In Tamil: M. Muthumari