Hair coming out in clumps with every pass of the comb worries many people. Cosmetics and home care cannot stop every kind of hair loss, because it can have many causes, from hormonal changes and specific hair-loss conditions to nutritional deficiencies.
Harvard-trained dermatologist Neera Nathan has said that a few years ago chronic excessive shedding combined with hereditary thinning cost her nearly half the hair on her head. She set about managing it patiently with care and treatment.
She put the emphasis on keeping the scalp clean. Because she had dandruff she used an anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week, and a hair mask once a week for dryness and split ends. She says she applied 5 percent minoxidil foam to her scalp at night, but stresses that nobody should start such a drug without a doctor's advice.
She also used low-level light or laser combs and caps several times a week, and mentions peptide and caffeine products and microneedling. These, too, call for a specialist's advice first.
On diet, she points to enough protein and a balanced diet, and to checking for deficiencies. A lack of vitamin D or iron can cause hair loss, so she advises a blood test where needed and correcting any deficiency on a doctor's advice. Breakage can also make hair look thin, so she recommends a heat protectant before using electric styling tools.
The causes of hair loss differ from person to person. Rather than treating someone else's experience as a substitute for treatment, anyone losing hair at an unusual rate for a long time should see a specialist; once the cause is known, the right treatment is easier to find.
This report is based on a report by Bangla Tribune's lifestyle desk.
Photo: Musical Linguist / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Source: Bangla Tribune
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