Any hair growth cycle would involve some amount of daily hair loss. While 90 percent of hair is in a growing stage, 10 percent is in a resting stage and falls out every 2 to 3 months. Hair loss tends to get noticed when the loss is beyond the usual limit. Excessive hair loss can be due to several reasons including: There are several reasons for hair loss including: Hair loss can occur due to several factors including: Reasons for hair loss are several including: What causes hair loss? Alopecia areata: Causes rapid hair loss and affects men and women. This is the result of dysfunctional immune system when the white cells of the body attacks the hair follicles. When all the scalp hair is lost it is called Alopecia Totalis. This is an uncommon condition.

Hair Loss

Genetic reasons: Called male pattern baldness, this can affect about 25% of men by the time they are 30. Though the reason is genetic another contributing factor is testosterone the male hormone. One of the functions of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is produced by the conversion of testosterone, causes impairment or stoppage of hair growth and produces short and weak hair. Men who do not have testosterone do not get male pattern baldness.

Skin diseases: hair loss and affectation of the scalp can also happen due to this. Dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp fungus such as ringworm and tinea captis are some of the ailments caused by skin diseases.

Sudden illness or fever: Sometimes after an illness or fever, large clumps of hair can come out. This is a temporary event though and soon passes off.

The other common factors which can also result in hair loss include childbirth, menopause, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and getting old. There are other reasons for hair loss over and above these main ones.

With the right hair loss treatment, you can stop hair loss as well as promote re-growth. Some ways you could treat hair loss naturally are:

1. Vitamins A, B, C and E are hair promoters. Include them in the diet. What are the roles of these vitamins? They provide sebum, promote blood circulation to the scalp by enhancement of oxygen absorption and collagen.

2. Care for the scalp: It would help a lot if you regularly massage your scalp using herbal oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, amla oil. Some of the essential oils which are effective in conditions of alopecia areata include that of thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedar wood.

3. Avoid scalp abuse: Avoid daily use of chemical shampoos and blow drying. Hair and scalp can get severely damaged when you use chemical treatments like coloring as well as straightening. Daily hair wash with hot water depletes hair of natural oil and turn break-prone.

4. Herbal therapy: Powders of amla, shikakai, henna and ritha as shampoo and conditioner can be effective therapy options. Prevention of graying and hair loss could be achieved if you use amla powder, an effective anti-oxidant and one of the richest sources of natural vitamin C. If you want a hair cleanser which cleanses without depriving your hair of its natural oils, go for Shikakai, also known as the Fruit for hair. Use henna then which plays its role as a natural conditioner.

5. Lifestyle changes: This involves doing some stress management by doing exercises and meditation, as stress causes hair loss. Say No to Smoking: Did you know that nicotine from smoking narrows the blood vessels which supply blood to the scalp? To avoid damage to the scalp avoid UV rays from sun exposure.