Few aspects of aging are more visible and profound as balding. While you can hide or internalize other issues, hair loss is evident for all to see. As a result, it can impact your confidence and hurt your pride. But, contrary to popular belief, there are healthy ways to reverse and overcome premature hair loss.
Reversing Hair Loss in Men
By the age of 35, nearly two-thirds of men experience some degree of hair loss. By the age of 50, 85 percent of men have noticeably thinning hair. In other words, hair loss is extremely common in men. But there are some natural steps that can be taken to reverse hair loss. They include:
- Eliminate Major Stressors
For millions of men, hair loss is directly linked to chronic stress. When your body is stressed, your hormones become imbalanced and the process of growing new hair is interrupted. By identifying and eliminating the biggest stressors in your life, you can give your body the boost it needs to continue producing and growing hair naturally.
- Eat These Foods
Your diet has a major influence on your ability to grow hair (as well as your susceptibility to losing it). For best results, try adding some of the following into your diet: pumpkin seeds, wild-caught fish, green tea, super seeds (such as chia, flax, and hemp), bone broth, and moderate amounts of caffeine. You’ll want to avoid excessive amounts of trans fatty acids, sugar, processed foods, and alcohol.
- Use Essential Oils
Did you know that you can encourage hair growth through the use of certain essential oils? In one study, patients with male pattern baldness massaged their scalps with a mixture of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood (combined with carrier oils). When compared to those who only used the carrier oil, the men who applied essential oils experienced superior results.
Reversing Hair Loss in Women
Hair loss in men has become so common that most people don’t even think twice about it. But did you know that 40 percent of women also have visible hair loss by the time they reach the age of 40? And because of the stigma that comes with female hair loss, many women suffer in silence. But as is the case with men, there are some natural and healthy ways to reverse and overcome premature hair loss in women. Take a look:
- Understand the Cause
The first step is to understand why you’re losing your hair. While most female hair loss can be directly tied to genetic factors, there are a number of other possible issues at play, including: hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, post-menopause, chronic stress and anxiety, skin conditions like lupus, complications with certain medications, and thyroid conditions (to name a few).
- Correct Hormonal and/or Nutritional Imbalances
It’s entirely possible that your problem is directly linked to an imbalance of hormones or nutritional deficiency. In either case, you can put an end to your premature hair loss by correcting these issues.
A lot of women think they’re doing themselves a favor by trying trendy new diets that eliminate all fats and cholesterol, but they’re actually doing their bodies a disservice. As Dr. Josh Axe explains, “Eating a variety of foods high in short, medium and long-chain fatty acids is key to keeping your hormones in check. Your body needs various types of fats to create hormones, including saturated fat and cholesterol.”
- Care for Your Hair
Better hair care is very important for women suffering premature hair loss. For one, you need to stop using so many products in your hair. The chemicals contained in these products are known to slow hair growth. If you do use products, look for organic options with all-natural ingredients.
Another practical suggestion is to switch from cotton to satin sheets. When you toss and turn at night, cotton sheets actually damage your hair. Satin eliminates much of this friction and prevents unnecessary damage from occurring.
You Don’t Have to Accept Hair Loss
While genetics do play a role – and certain factors are difficult to overcome – you don’t have to accept hair loss. You also don’t have to resort to invasive practices and harsh products to regrow hair. Contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of safe and natural ways to fight hair loss and enjoy the confidence that comes with looking and feeling your best.
