According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) about 160 million people across the globe have had some form of alopecia areata, can have it in the future, or might have it currently. This expresses the extent of its spread and how common it is among men and women. However, different methods for alopecia treatment at home have proved to be beneficial.
One of the common symptoms of alopecia is extensive hair loss and worsening health of hair. There can be different contributing factors for alopecia, including hormonal or genetic factors. If you are experiencing hair loss, you must find an effective home remedy for alopecia to counter its effects.
This article will give a complete overview of natural remedies for alopecia, the variety of these natural remedies, and how you can manage your condition effectively.
What is Alopecia?
Alopecia refers to a group of conditions causing hair loss and can be a signal of underlying health issues. While some types of alopecia are a result of environmental, lifestyle, and genetics-related factors, there is a possibility of alopecia developing because of the unusual response of your immune system.
Most of these conditions can be treated by alopecia natural remedies and topical and oral medications. Here is a rundown of the most common types of alopecia and their causes:
- Postpartum Alopecia: This develops as a result of fluctuating hormones after childbirth. Postpartum alopecia is characterized by excessive hair shedding, however, hair health usually gets restored within a few months.
- Androgenic Alopecia: Commonly developed as a result of genetic factors, androgenic alopecia can affect men and women. In males, it can lead to male pattern baldness which causes receding hairline and patchy crown. On the other hand, female pattern baldness usually shows in thinning hair across the part line but does not lead to complete baldness.
- Alopecia Areata: This condition primarily stems from the unusual function of your immune system. It happens when the immune system mistakes hair follicles for infection and attacks them. This damages healthy hair follicles, causing hair loss and reduced hair growth. Alopecia areata usually runs in the family and causes hair to shed in patches on the scalp.
- Diffuse Alopecia Areata: Although this is one type of alopecia areata, the pattern of hair loss is different. Instead of hair falling out in patches, diffuse alopecia areata causes hair thinning leading to scattered hair fall across the scalp. Some people might also experience hair loss in other areas of the body, however, it is rare.
Are Natural Remedies For Alopecia Effective?
While alopecia natural remedies provide necessary support to your hair, they should be taken as supplements for conventional treatments. Most home remedies focus on reducing scalp inflammation, enhancing blood circulation, and strengthening your hair fibers. This works as an add-on to medical therapy, making the road to recovery easier.
Hair loss because of alopecia has several underlying factors, which means that a multimodal treatment is necessary. Strategies for alopecia treatment at home work towards improving the hair follicle cycle, minimizing oxidative stress, and maintaining the effects of hormones as well.
Some of the effective alopecia treatments at home include:
- Oil massages
- Stress management
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
- Vitamin complexes
Natural Remedies for Alopecia Treatment at Home
If you are looking for natural remedies for alopecia, the best combination is adopting a healthy lifestyle, and incorporating head massages in your routine. This ensures that your hair receives good blood circulation, and a balanced diet provides sufficient nutrition for hair growth and better health.
Some of the most common home remedies include hair growth oils, supplement intake, and eliminating artificial hair products from your everyday use.
Here is a breakdown of different remedies for alopecia treatment at home:
Apple Vinegar
Using apple vinegar, or apple cider vinegar is known to sustain a balanced pH of your scalp. This, in turn, reduces frizz and enhances the overall health of your hair making them appear shinier and thicker.
A balanced scalp pH also promotes hair growth. Just use diluted apple vinegar on your hair once a week. You can apply it to the tips of your hair, and gently massage it in your scalp before rinsing.
Onion Juice
Crush an onion into a paste and strain it to get the juice out. This juice is full of sulfur which helps promote thick and strong hair. It also stimulates blood circulation to the scalp and the follicle which contributes to hair regeneration.
However, make sure that you are not applying the concentrated juice directly to the scalp. Dilute it with water or oil, and apply it to your hair a few minutes before taking a shower.
Rosemary
Rosemary has different properties that are beneficial for your hair. Since it has a vasodilator effect, it is excellent for promoting blood circulation to your hair follicles. It has an anti-inflammatory nature as well, which can soothe an irritated scalp. Just gently massage rosemary oil or rosemary water into your scalp for strong and healthy hair.
Biotin
Taking biotin supplements can help improve the health of your nails, hair, and skin. It is a type of water-soluble vitamin B, which provides strength to your hair and improves the health of your hair follicles. It is also a great home remedy to treat dandruff and greasy hair. You can either take biotin supplements or make them a part of your day-to-day diet.
Green Tea
Green tea is known for a variety of properties that make it a great alopecia treatment at home. Prepare a cup of green tea, and pour it on your hair after it has cooled down. It has several antioxidants, which promote hair growth and improve the overall health of your hair. It is also rich in iron, potassium, sodium, and magnesium, which are essential nutrients for shiny and strong hair.
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Essential Oils For Alopecia Treatment at Home
A variety of hair oils are easily available in pharmacies and stores. Oils are great natural remedies for alopecia as they hydrate your hair follicles, provide nourishment, and also restore any previous hair damage. You can use different oils to massage into your scalp for better hair health:
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an effective natural remedy to balance the pH of your scalp and strengthen the hair fibers. One of the key benefits of coconut oil is its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Massage your hair with coconut oil for a couple of minutes after washing, and leave it in for at least half an hour. This allows the fatty acids from the oil to penetrate your hair cuticles and give strength to the hair fibers.
Dandelion And Hibiscus Oil
This oil can be extracted by soaking hibiscus and dandelion flowers and making them into a paste. As an herbal remedy for alopecia, oil extracted from dandelion and hibiscus flowers enhances the health of hair and boosts its growth.
Almond Oil
Almond oil is a natural antioxidant and is rich in vitamin E. This makes it a great supplement for your hair and skin. To treat alopecia, daily apply a few drops of almond oil on your scalp and massage it for a couple of minutes. Not only will it hydrate your hair, but it will also promote hair growth and give your hair a healthy shine and soft texture.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and vitamin K. Therefore, massaging your hair with a few drops of extra virgin olive oil is a great way to strengthen your hair and make it less brittle. This reduces the rate of hair breakage and provides nourishment to the hair fibers.
What Can Be Contributing To Your Hair Loss?
Although alopecia is a primary contributor to hair loss, it is important to be aware of other potential causes as well.
According to Dr. Jennifer Ashton, “You have to find the root cause of your hair loss because it is not one size fits all” – Subject Matter Expert
You can experience hair loss for many reasons:
- Effects of Cancer Treatments: Patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation often experience excessive hair loss.
- Aging: In most people, aging leads to hair thinning and hair loss because the growth of hair follicles slows down.
- Hormonal Fluctuations: Studies suggest that 40% of women face significant hair loss by the time they reach 40. Hormonal imbalance can significantly contribute to this.
- Anxiety And Chronic Stress: Physical and mental stress can be a leading cause of hair loss. This is because a stress hormone is considered to damage the stem cells which stimulate hair growth.
- Hair Damage From Hair Products: Extreme and frequent use of hair products can contribute to hair loss. This particularly includes products with ingredients like formaldehyde and sulfates that damage your hair.
Mind And Body Techniques For Alopecia Treatment at Home
Living with alopecia can be tolling, and further stress might harm your hair even more. While medications and natural remedies for alopecia can assist in controlling the issue, you can also adopt some mind and body practices in your routine.
Here are ways you can improve your hair and scalp health:
- Meditation: Stress can stimulate the production of cortisol which negatively impacts the hair growth cycle, leading to hair thinning and hair loss. On the other hand, meditation techniques like yoga and breathing exercises are found to reduce cortisol levels which aids in alopecia recovery.
- Exercise: Getting active and including exercises in your routine eases anxiety. It also increases blood circulation in your body, including the scalp. This ensures that nutrition and oxygen are reaching hair follicles, supporting healthy hair and boosting hair growth.
- Get Support: Finding people who are going through similar conditions as you can help relieve the stress. You can look for alopecia support groups and talk to people who can relate to your circumstances.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a chemical-free strategy to improve alopecia, particularly alopecia areata. When done by an expert practitioner, acupuncture has anti-inflammatory properties, and can work to increase blood circulation to the hair follicles. It also maintains hormonal balance which is an important factor for many patients suffering from alopecia.
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Key Takeaways
- Alopecia relates to a group of conditions causing hair loss among men and women.
- A variety of natural remedies are available for alopecia, including the application of apple vinegar, onion juice, rosemary, biotin, and green tea.
- Different types of alopecia can develop as a result of environment, genetics, immune system, and lifestyle-related factors.
- Natural oils can help improve alopecia by hydrating hair follicles and restoring the health of hair.
- Different things contribute to hair loss, including impacts of cancer, aging, hormonal imbalance, the aftermath of chronic stress, and hair damage because of hair products.
- Mind and body practices can also contribute to boosting hair growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are natural remedies effective in treating alopecia?
It is beneficial to use natural remedies for treating alopecia. They can work as additional supplements to medical treatments while reducing inflammation and enhancing scalp health.
Is alopecia a permanent condition?
Alopecia is not a permanent condition. Many people lose hair, but it can grow back with treatment and remedies. It is very rare for hair loss to be permanent.
What is the best oil for alopecia?
Massaging different essential oils on the scalp can help improve alopecia. These include rosemary oil, olive oil, almond oil, and coconut oil which have growth-prompting properties. However, each oil has different benefits.
How to prevent alopecia areata from spreading?
It is best to consult a dermatologist and find out the cause of hair loss. An early diagnosis can help control the condition in time.
What are the vitamins for alopecia?
People suffering from alopecia require different vitamins. Some of the most important ones are Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Biotin, Zinc, and Iron.
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