hair fall!

Bye-bye hair fall!

Tired of seeing the drain clogged with your hair? Or strands of hair on your pillow when you wake up? On an average, we lose 100 strands of hair a day. Hair growth follows a pattern—the growth phase (anagen), the transition phase (catagen) and shedding phase (telogen). During anagen, the hair fibres are anchored to the hair follicle, but this is not the case during telogen and it is in this phase that the hair tends to fall. According to Delhi-based dermatologist, Dr Vandana Chatrath, “About 10 per cent of your hair is in the shedding phase at a time, so it is normal to lose between 50 to 100 strands a day. Anymore than that could be a cause of concern.”

Don’t lose hair
Dr Chatrath lists the major causes of hair fall as stress, improper diet, seasonal changes, hormone changes, deficiencies like low iron levels, surgeries, illnesses, pregnancy and certain medications. Here are a few tips to contain hair fall.

1 Eat smart:
Hair is made up of protein, so it is important to increase your intake of meat, fish, pulses, eggs, vegetables and fruits. Avoid crash-diets. Adequate sleep and water is a must.

2 Take time out:
Excessive stress is conclusively known to slow down hair growth and cause hair loss. The body reacts to stress by producing more free radicals that cause damage and, in some cases, hair falls out. Meditation and breathing exercises should help.

3 Stop hair abuse:
Harsh chemical treatments like perming, colouring and straightening also result in hair fall. Cut down the use of blow-dryers, tongs and styling products, as these can dry out the scalp and cause flakes.

4 Hair care products:
Seasonal changes also cause hair fall. Excessive exposure to the sun, pollution, rain and dust without proper protection makes the hair dry, brittle and limp. Use a leave-in conditioner during the rains to protect it from the humidity and wash and oil your hair regularly to maintain a healthy scalp. Stick to one good mild cleansing shampoo and conditioner for at least six months before changing.

Massaging your scalp stimulates circulation and keeps hair follicles active. Hair serum forms a thin protective layer and returns the moisture lost due to environmental factors and heat-induced styling.