Tips on Stopping Hair Loss
>> Sunday, 23 November 2008
One of the causes of hair loss is impaired blood circulation, especially in the scalp. Factors which can influence this include wearing head gear, tight headwear, scalp and body tension due to stress, smoking, and atherosclerosis (a condition where blood vessels are narrowed due to fatty acids). It is a well documented fact that when poor blood circulation occurs, then hair roots would not get enough of the vital nutrients to achieve healthy growth. So, in this context, stopping hair loss becomes a question of how to induce good blood circulation in the scalp.
There are several ways to increase blood circulation in the scalp to either stop or prevent hair loss, but two of the most common ones are as follows:
- Use herbal remedies, and
- Use hydrotherapy
The herbal remedies approach to stopping hair loss
There are several types of herbs which can get one's blood going, but one of the most commonly used ones is ginkgo biloba. The efficacy of ginkgo is well recorded, and in fact it is used to treat other health problems as well including improving mental function, age-related memory loss, sexual dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease.
How much ginkgo biloba should you be taking daily? Generally, one just follow the recommendation as stated in the product label, unless your doctor suggests an alternative dosage level.
The hydrotherapy approach to stopping hair loss
Hydrotherapy is nothing new. In fact, it is considered a traditional method which has been used for centuries by many cultures, including ancient Rome and China, for the treatment of many types of diseases and injuries. The basic principles behind hydrotherapy is that:
- Water is capable of stimulating the receptors of the nervous system easily as it can come into contact with all parts of the body;
- Water can conduct heat (raise body temperature) and dissipate heat (lower body temperature) very easily and efficiently;
To use hydrotherapy for scalp blood circulation purposes, it is advisable to do it in the shower. Depending on what facilities are available in your bathroom, the idea is to run very warm water over your head for between 15 to 20 seconds and immediately follow that up with cold water for the same period of time. Repeat 3 times, which means the final action involves cold water.
Alternating hot and cold water treatments are effective in providing a good massage for the scalp because the coldness of the water causes the blood vessels to contract, while the warmth of the water causes it (blood vessels) to dilate. In fact, such form of treatment can even alleviate respiratory congestion problems and enhance organ functioning.
Hence, taking ginkgo biloba in combination with hydrotherapy may stop or even prevent hair loss. This in-expensive method is certainly worth a try, but if you feel insecure about it, or are suffering from some ailments, it's best to get clearance from your doctor before proceeding with this stopping hair loss regime.