Hair loss:  when is it not normal?

Losing hair when you brush or wash your hair, is normal.  As the seasons change, we often lose hair (just like animals).  However, if we lose more hair than normal, it is always a good idea to sit down and figure out why.  Stress, chemical treatments, medications and diet play a huge role in whether / not your hair is healthy.  Our hair, just like our skin and nails, can quickly indicate if we need to make changes to our lifestyle.  Baldness is often linked to genes; but, in recent studies, it has been proven that people can become bald earlier on, due to stress and/or hormonal changes.

Zinc is important, as a deficiency can cause hair loss.  If you don’t eat plenty of (any of) red meat, make sure to add vitamin B 6 & 12 to your diet (a good vitamin B-supplement is sufficed).  Your body uses vitamin B12 when you are under stress or when you are ill, to help the immune system to cope.  When vitamin B12 becomes depleted, your immune system takes a long time to recover.  Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, so taking it every day is important.  Vitamin D (sunlight), Magnesium and Calcium, as well as vitamin E, are good aids as well.  Collagen is not just great for fighting ageing but also food for your hair. 

A hair mask, made with Bentonite Clay and Cocoa butter, shampoo without sulphates in, Argan or Amla oil, can all help.  One thing to remember is that nutrition plays one the most important roles.  What you eat and drink, will affect the whole body; including the hair follicles.  Hair masks, oils, and the like, is a great way to feed your hair and make it shine.  However, you also need to make sure that the hair follicles are healthy and that the blood circulates properly. When we are under stress, our immune system goes into a fight / flight-mode.  Getting rid of stress, either through exercising, mediation or mindfulness, is key to our health in general.  In Yoga, there is a pose called the head stand.  Not easy to do and not recommended for anyone with neck problems, neck fusions and the like.  This is a great way to get the blood flow back into the head and into the hair follicles.  The Downward Facing Dog-pose is another pose that you can do.   If Yoga-poses is not your thing, why not try a head massage.  Brushing your hair 100 times is an easy way to massage your scalp and get rid of dead skin.

If you tried any or all of the above and you are still losing too much hair, seek medical help (especially if you are on medication).  As a last resort, many people have hair implant-procedures done.  It works well, but is costly.  If you want to make peace with it (especially if you are a man) and shave the rest of your head, then that can also be an option.  Luckily for you, there are many people sporting shaved heads these days!  All in all, the main thing to remember is that diet, stress and lifestyle, all play a crucial role in your well-being.  So, taking care of yourself starts on the inside; then it will automatically show on the outside!