There are many solutions to hair loss and hair thinning, all of which are dependent on what is causing your hair loss in the first place.
Losing your hair is often discouraging and harms your self-esteem. The good news is: that although not always the case, not all hair loss is permanent and can either be prevented or reversed.
While hair loss is more common in men, hence the endless stream of hair growth products targeted to men, 50% of women also suffer from hair loss.
Most people believe that losing their hair comes with age, but young people also suffer from different types of hair loss. It is more common than you might think! You are not alone!
In this article, you will learn about:
- Causes of Hair Loss and Thinning
- Using Supplements and Essential Oils as Solution for Hair Loss and Thinning
- Minoxidil as a Solution for Hair Loss and Thinning
- Are Collagen Pills a Solution to Hair Loss and Thinning?
- Micro-needling as a Solution for Hair Loss
Causes of Hair Loss and Thinning
Hair loss and thinning are caused by a variety of factors, both external and internal.
Although exclaiming, “I’m so annoyed! You make me want to rip my hair out” is a metaphor, prolonged negative emotions can cause you to lose hair. It is also likely for someone to lose hair after enduring great amounts of stress or sadness.
Hair loss caused by a change of state, like a change in emotions, or rapid weight loss, is often temporary.
Other forms of temporary hair loss include traction alopecia, which results from excessive tugging of the scalp from tight hairstyles or extensions, and hair loss from hormonal changes.
On the other hand, there are permanent forms of hair loss that result from auto-immune responses or genetics.
When it comes to treating or mitigating hair loss, it is important to understand the root cause (pun not intended). Different types of hair loss have different solutions, and if you are dealing with more serious hair loss, over-the-counter, and at-home treatments will only make matters worse.
Supplements and Oils as Solution for Hair Loss and Thinning
Before you assume that I am going to descend the “all-natural is better” path, let me preface this section by saying that the research concerning supplements and hair loss is not comprehensive.
Not all supplements will work, and some argue that biotin supplements are not necessarily effective, although they are often regarded as a solution to hair loss.
With all this being said, thinning hair is tied to vitamin D deficiency.
Therefore, taking a vitamin D supplement will not only help improve your overall health, but it could also help prevent further hair loss.
Some hair shedding is also tied to low zinc and iron levels, which can also be replenished with supplements.
If you are searching for other simple solutions to hair loss, oils help strengthen the hair and prevent breakage when brushing or styling.
Oil can be incorporated into your hair care routine with oil-rich conditioners, like those with coconut oil, or by adding rosemary oil to your shampoo before lathering, inducing hair growth.
Minoxidil as a Solution for Hair Loss and Thinning
Minoxidil is a topical medication found at the drugstore that aims to regrow hair that has already been lost.
Often referred to as Rogaine, Minoxidil is bought over the counter without a prescription.
Minoxidil is also used in conjunction with scalp tonics for greater efficacy and to prevent irritation.
The only downside to Minoxidil, however, is that it must be used consistently as it is not a permanent solution to hair loss and hair thinning and will not continue to work after its use is discontinued.
Are Collagen Pills a Solution to Hair Loss and Thinning?
Increasing in mainstream use, collagen dietary supplements claim to promote hair and nail growth, a claim supported by some preliminary studies.
However, many of these studies are funded by companies that produce these supplements themselves, fostering controversy around the use of collagen pills as a solution to hair loss.
Despite the controversy, collagen deficiency is linked to hair loss, and this supply can be replenished by consuming collagen.
Often found in powdered form at the supermarket, collagen can be added to drinks or smoothies.
However, if preventing hair loss and stimulating hair growth are your main goals, the best way to replenish collagen is by micro-needling the scalp.
Micro-needling as a Solution for Hair Loss
Although micro-needling is best known for plumping the skin and diminishing acne scarring, it is also one of the best ways to trigger collagen production in the scalp and increase blood flow, ultimately leading to hair growth.
Micro-needling is a treatment in which the skin is punctured with tiny needles causing “micro-injuries,” which in turn jumpstarts the body’s natural healing process, and therefore, the production of collagen.