Finding Solutions for Rapid Hair Loss

1. Wait

Sometimes you just have to wait for your hair to resume its normal cycle. This can take some time, though, usually months to years. Spend this time focusing on getting your body and mind healthy so that your hair will stay healthy too.

• If you lose your hair after menopause or childbirth, it can take 6 months to 2 years to regain normal hair growth.
• If you lost your hair due to an illness or high fever, then hair growth will usually go back to normal once the illness is under control or the fever has ended.
• Hair loss can be caused by medication or radiation therapy and will likely grow back once you are finished with the medicine or therapy. You might also consider changing meds.

2. Wear a wig, weave, or hair piece

A wig, hat or other type of hair replacement can be inexpensive, safe and help you maintain the appearance of a full head of hair. Changing your hair style can also disguise thinning hair. In some cases, your hair may grow back while you are wearing a wig, weave or hair piece and you won’t need it anymore.

3. Get a hair transplant

Hair transplants can be an expensive but effective means to solving a thinning hair problem. Right now the most common types of hair transplants are follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). Technology is rapidly advancing, though, so new techniques may be available in the future.

• The FUSS procedure involves a strip of hair from a donor region that is implanted and often sutured into the desired area. Several grafts can be transplanted for more moderate to severe hair loss.
• With a FUE procedure, hair strands from the back and sides of the head are transplanted into the desired area in groups. FUE can provide very natural-looking growth and does not usually involve any major cutting so it has less recovery time than FUSS.
• Keep in mind that you may require additional sessions if you are not happy with the results or lose more hair.

4. Have a scalp reduction done

For this procedure, the surgeon will remove a bald area of your scalp. The skin on your scalp is elastic and can be stretched to move areas of hair over the area that was removed. Headaches can occur after this procedure but can be treated with pain relievers.

5. Try laser hair restoration

This procedure can stop hair loss and encourage more hair growth. A laser is passed over the scalp to stimulate it, encouraging blood and nutrients to reach the hair follicles. Some people have found laser hair restoration effective for hair loss.

Using Medical Treatments Regrow Hair (Women)

1. See your doctor

If you have experienced hair loss, it’s important to see your doctor to find a cause. You may have an underlying disease that’s causing your hair loss, and this may require treatment for you to regrow your hair.

• Your doctor may order blood tests to assess hormone levels that can cause hair loss.

2. Rub minoxidil into your scalp

Minoxidil is an over the counter liquid or foam that you massage into your scalp twice daily. This medication may help promote hair growth or decease hair loss, or even both.

• Men and women can use minoxidil and you don’t need a prescription.
• Regrowth peaks at about 16 weeks. You need to continuously reapply minoxidil to maintain the benefits.
• You may experience some side effects such as scalp irritation, rapid heart rate, and may even have some hair growth on the face and hands.
• You can purchase minoxidil at most pharmacies and some grocery stores.

3. Have surgery to restore or transplant hair

If medications and home treatments don’t help hair regrowth, have hair transplant or restoration surgery. This can immediately help fill out thinning hair and can stimulate hair regrowth.

• Hair transplants or restoration are procedures in which you doctor takes small plugs of hair from different parts of your scalp and implants them into thinner or bald sections.
• You may need to take hair loss medication before surgery.
• Hair transplants can be very painful and cause infection and scarring.
• Be aware that hair transplants and restoration are expensive and insurance may not cover either procedure.

4. Undergo laser therapy

Some studies have shown that lower-level laser device treatment can help decrease hair loss and improve thickness. Although more research is necessary, laser treatment may be a good option for you if medications don’t work and you don’t want to undergo a painful hair transplant.

• There are no known side effects of laser therapy for hair loss.

How to Regrow Hair After Hair Loss (Women)

Any person can experience hair loss at any age. Hair loss has many causes from medical conditions such as alopecia to treatments for cancer or even just age. For women, hair loss may be especially distressing since many may identify beauty with hair. If you’ve experienced hair loss and want to regrow your mane, there are many different ways to do this, including home and medical treatments.

Promoting Regrowth at Home

1. Practice good hair care

In some cases, poor hair care can cause hair loss or prevent regrowth. Using good and healthy hair care habits can help you regrow your hair.

2. Wash your hair regularly and gently

Clean your hair and scalp regularly and in a gentle manner with shampoo and conditioner. This can help you not only regrow your hair, but prevent damage that may cause further hair loss.

• Wash your hair every other day or as little as necessary. Frequent washing can damage your strands.
• Massage shampoo into your scalp and into the length of your hair.
• Rinse by allowing water to flow from your scalp down the ends of your hair. Don’t rub your hair as it rinses, which may cause damage or hair loss.

3. Apply a conditioner to your hair

After you finish washing and rinsing your hair, apply a conditioner along the length of your hair from ends to scalp. This can help prevent further hair loss through damage, including breaking.

Make sure to use conditioner every time you wash your hair.

4. Dry your hair cautiously

Drying your hair with towels and hair dryers can cause damage and impede hair growth. Dry your hair with caution to help prevent breakage and promote regrowth.

• After you’ve washed your hair, use a towel to rub or pat your strands dry. Avoid the temptation to wrap your hair in a towel, which can damage your hair and cause breakage.
• Let your hair air dry if possible.
• If you use a hair dryer, use the lowest heat setting. Reducing the number of times per week that you use a hair dryer can also promote hair growth.

5. Avoid vigorous or frequent brushing and combing

If you brush or comb your hair, try and do this as infrequently and gently as possible. Reducing how often you brush or comb and changing the way in which you do it can help promote hair growth and prevent damage.

• Only brush your hair to style it. It’s a myth that you should brush your hair 100 strokes a day.
• Allow your hair to air dry a bit before brushing or combing after washing.
• Use a wide toothed comb to untangle wet hair. This will cause less damage than a brush.
• If your hair is tangled, remove tangles gently and use a conditioner to help you if necessary.

6. Style hair wisely

Many people style their hair or use styling products such as curling irons, which are often hotter than a dryer. If you have to style your hair, choose loose styles, avoid heavy products, and use lower heat tools.

• Pulling hair back tightly in ponytails or styles such as cornrows not only can break or damage hair, but also may cause hair loss. Wear your hair pulled back loosely and try different hairstyles every day to allow your hair and scalp to relax.
• Use covered elastic bands to pull back your hair. Rubber can pull and break hair.
• Avoid styling products that are labeled “long lasting hold”. These can damage hair and cause breakage.
• If you use styling tools such as curling irons or hot combs, keep them at the lowest setting.
• If you wear a weave or hair extensions, make sure they are light so that they don’t pull at your hair and scalp.

7. Use chemical treatments sparingly or not at all

If you chemically treat your hair with color, perms, or relaxants, wait longer between treatments or avoid them altogether if you can. This can not only promote growth, but may also prevent damage and breaking.

• Wait 8-10 weeks between touch ups.
• Have only one service at a time. If you are having multiple services, wait two weeks in between them.

8. Protect your hair and scalp from the sun

If you go outside frequently, use a sunscreen or large hat. This can not only protect your strands and scalp from the suns harmful rays, but may help promote hair growth and prevent breakage.

• Any type of wide brimmed hat can protect your hair.
• You can either use a sunscreen specifically formulated for hair or a leave-in conditioner with zinc oxide to protect your hair and scalp.

9. Stimulate growth with scalp massage

Rubbing your scalp stimulates and increases blood flow. Try getting a professional scalp massage or rub your own scalp to help prevent hair loss and promote growth.

• Some massage therapists are specifically trained to help increase blood flow to the scalp with massage.
• Increased blood flow results in increased nutrient absorption, which can in turn stimulate hair growth.
• Massage can help condition the scalp and strengthen the roots of your hair.

Promoting Healthy Hair Growth

1. Eat enough protein

Your hair is composed mostly of protein, so having lots of protein in your diet is essential for healthy hair. If you're not getting enough, your body can shut down the supply of protein to your hair and use it for the most essential of many other body functions.

• When your hair doesn't get enough protein, it shuts down growth. As a result, when existing hair reaches the end of its cycle and naturally falls out (in a process known as catagen) it can seem as if you have less hair than normal.
• Don't worry though - once you commit to getting enough protein in your diet, your hair will start to grow again and feel thicker in no time.
• The best sources of protein include fish (such as tuna, salmon and halibut), white poultry (such as turkey and chicken), eggs, dairy products (such as milk, cheese and yogurt), beans (such as kidney, white, lima and black beans) and beef, veal, pork and tofu.

2. Increase B vitamins and decrease A vitamins

B vitamins are necessary for healthy hair growth, so if you're not getting enough of them as part of your diet, your hair could be affected. On the other hand, excess vitamin A can trigger hair loss, so you may need to cut back.

• Having low levels of B vitamins in your diet is pretty uncommon, especially in the U.S., but it can be an issue for some people. To naturally increase your intake of B vitamins, eat more fish and lean meat, starchy vegetables and non-citrus fruits.
• To decrease your intake of vitamin A, try to cut back on any supplements or medications containing vitamin A. Keep in mind that the recommended daily intake of vitamin A (for anyone above the age of four) is 5000 IU.

3. Avoid low-calorie diets

Low-calorie diets often deprive your body of many of the vitamins, nutrients and healthy fats it needs to function properly and maintain healthy hair growth.

• In addition, rapid weight loss (as the result of following a low-calorie diet) can cause major physical stress to the body, which may trigger hair loss.
• It is important to eat healthily and this means supplying your body with all the fuel it needs. If you're trying to lose weight, you should do so by making healthier, more nutritious choices and by exercising regularly.
• Aim to lose weight slowly and steadily, rather than trying to do so all a once using starvation tactics. A safe, manageable goal is to lose one to two pounds a week.
• Many high-fat, high-calorie foods are actually very good for you, provided you make the right choices. Things like nuts, avocados and oily fish are all high in monounsaturated fat, but they are also very healthy and should be eaten as part of a balanced diet.

4. Take good care of your hair

Taking good care of your hair will contribute to its overall health, making it stronger and less prone to fall out.

• Start by using a shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair type. Dry hair will need richer, super-moisturizing products, while oily or very fine hair will require lighter products designed for regular use.
• Try to avoid using hair products with too many chemicals in them. Shampoos containing sulfates or parabens should be avoided and more natural, organic ingredients should be used.
• Also avoid washing your hair too often, as this can strip hair of natural oils, causing it become dry, brittle and prone to breaking. Every two to three days is a good schedule for most hair types.
• Nourish your hair even further by getting moisture and shine treatments at your local salon, or by making natural hair masks at home. Oils such as coconut, argan and almond can improve the condition of hair dramatically, making it soft and silky.
• Keep your hair in good condition by getting it trimmed every six to eight weeks. This eliminates split ends and helps your hair to look and feel great.

5. Don't overstyle your hair

Overstyling is one of the biggest issues when it comes to healthy hair. Nowadays women are obsessed with blow-drying, straightening and curling using heated styling tools. These wreak havoc on the condition of hair.

• Try to minimize the use of styling tools. Experiment with naturally air drying your hair, scrunching your hair using a little hair mousse or curling your hair using no-heat methods, such as hair rollers.
• You should avoid playing with your hair too much, i.e., twisting, pulling or breaking off split ends. You should also be careful with ponytails - tying them too tightly can cause hair to fall out (traction alopecia). Wear your hair loose as often as possible (especially at night) and experiment with loose, low ponytails and braids. Don't brush your hair too often either.
• Be careful when using color treatments on the hair, as they can quickly dry, damage and over-process your hair. Wait as long as possible between dye jobs, and think long and hard before you decide to go down a color route which involves bleach. Consider using more natural hair coloring techniques, such as henna, which nourishes as it colors.

Stimulating Hair Growth for Women Baldness Part II

1. Protect your hair and scalp from the sun

If you go outside frequently, use a sunscreen or large hat. This can not only protect your strands and scalp from the suns harmful rays, but may help promote hair growth and prevent breakage.

• Any type of wide brimmed hat can protect your hair.
• You can either use a sunscreen specifically formulated for hair or a leave-in conditioner with zinc oxide to protect your hair and scalp.

2. Stimulate growth with scalp massage

Rubbing your scalp stimulates and increases blood flow. Try getting a professional scalp massage or rub your own scalp to help prevent hair loss and promote growth.

• Some massage therapists are specifically trained to help increase blood flow to the scalp with massage.
• Increased blood flow results in increased nutrient absorption, which can in turn stimulate hair growth.
• Massage can help condition the scalp and strengthen the roots of your hair.

3. Apply minoxidil to your scalp

Minoxidil is an over the counter liquid or foam that you massage into your scalp twice daily. This medication may help promote hair growth or decease hair loss, or even both.

• Men and women can use minoxidil and you don’t need a prescription.
• Regrowth peaks at about 16 weeks. You need to continuously reapply minoxidil to maintain the benefits.
• You may experience some side effects such as scalp irritation, rapid heart rate, and may even have some hair growth on the face and hands.
• You can purchase minoxidil at most pharmacies and some grocery stores.

4. Have surgery to restore or transplant hair

If medications and home treatments don’t help hair regrowth, have hair transplant or restoration surgery. This can immediately help fill out thinning hair and can stimulate hair regrowth.

• Hair transplants or restoration are procedures in which you doctor takes small plugs of hair from different parts of your scalp and implants them into thinner or bald sections.
• You may need to take hair loss medication before surgery.
• Hair transplants can be very painful and cause infection and scarring.
• Be aware that hair transplants and restoration are expensive and insurance may not cover either procedure.

5. Eat a nutrient rich diet

Your hair is an outward sign of your general health, and certain vitamins and minerals contribute to the health of your locks. Increase your intake of certain nutrients to help your hair grow and stay strong.

• Protein is one of the building blocks of hair. Getting enough lean protein from meat, dairy products, fish, eggs, and nuts can help your hair get strong and grow.
• Iron helps prevent hair loss. You can get extra iron from red meat, fish, and chicken, as well as options such as lentils, kale, and broccoli.
• Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron as well as produce collagen that can strengthen your hair shafts. Try eating blueberries, broccoli, oranges, and strawberries to get sufficient vitamin C.
• Omega-3 fatty acids help keep the oils on your scalp, which in turn keep your hair hydrated. Get Omega-3s in fish such as salmon and trout, and other sources including avocado and pumpkin seeds.
• A lack of zinc and/ or selenium can lead to hair loss. Eat fortified whole grains, oysters, beef, and eggs to get enough zinc to prevent hair loss.
• Biotin helps keep hair strong and flexible. Too little may cause brittle hair or hair loss. You can get biotin from whole grains, liver, eggs, and yeast.