Last Updated on 8 March 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Hair loss is often distressing and can have a significant effect on a person’s quality of life (1) for both male and females. As always with natural healthcare, understanding the cause of the problem is vital. Gaining a better understanding of hair growth cycles also helps to give reassurance that the issue may be temporary in some instances. Help with hair loss is possible, with some natural treatments backed by research more than others.
Common causes of hair loss (1,2,3,4)
- Vitamin and minerals deficiencies including low iron and vitamin D
- Endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and parathyroid disorders
- Oral contraceptive (OCP) medications both during and after use depending on the type
- Post-partum hair loss which begins 2-4 months after childbirth and usually continues for 6-24 weeks
- Stress, both physiologic and emotional
- Overuse of hair products and hairstyling
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Metabolic syndrome, associated with obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension
- Genetic predisposition
The good news is, addressing many of the above issues can result in improvements to hair loss and hair will typically regrow. The time frame for which this improves is based on the cycle of hair growth and therefore it may take several months to see real change.
How hair grows (5)
Hair grows in cycles, and a hair follicle goes through 3 phases – anagen phase, catagen phase and telogen phase. Normally, over 80% of our hair is in the anagen (active growth) phase. The proportion of hair in the telogen phase (natural hair loss) can rise to 30% in certain circumstances and hair visibly loses density quickly. The individual hairs are all in different phases at any given time.
Anagen phase – Active growth phase
- lasts 2–6 years
- the growth phase is genetically predetermined
- hair follicle growth of about 1 cm per month
- hair can grow up to 75 cm long
- the older a person gets, the shorter the anagen phase
- male hair does not tend to grow as long, but usually grows faster than female hair
Catagen phase – Hair root degeneration
- lasts for about 2-4 weeks
- the keratinocytes of the hair root degenerate
- hair growth comes to a halt
- hair root loses volume, and the connection to the hair papilla is severed, causing the hair to be shed
Telogen phase – Natural hair loss
- lasts 3–4 months
- hair falls out naturally due to external influences such as washing the hair, brushing, or the pressure of a new root forming under the scalp
- followed by a rest phase until a new cycle begins
Natural treatment options for Hair Loss (2,5,6)
Some complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) have evidence as hair loss therapies, backed by randomised controlled trials (RCTs), while others have little evidence. It’s important to get professional advice and your practitioner will take a clinical approach so that treatment can be targeted at the cause. Treatments that are shown to be effective include:
Acupuncture
- to increase circulation and stimulate hair follicles
Diet and Lifestyle changes
- adequate protein and essential fatty acids in the diet
- stress reduction techniques
Medicinal Supplements
- collagen
- vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin D, iron and zinc
- herbal medicines
Hair loss is often the prompt needed to seek health advice, especially regarding nutrient deficiencies and hormone imbalances. Designing a strategy to halt hair loss and promote regrowth can be simple and effective with clear time frames to see results.
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