10 Best Ways To Stop Hair Loss

Hair fall is a widespread issue affecting millions of people worldwide, with both men and women experiencing varying degrees of hair loss.

While it’s normal to shed some hair daily, excessive hair loss can be a sign of underlying health problems, stress, poor diet, hormonal imbalances, or genetic factors.

Conditions like alopecia areata and male or female pattern baldness are particularly common causes. For many, hair fall can lead to emotional distress, affecting self-esteem and body image.

Despite the availability of treatments like medication, hair transplants, and lifestyle changes, people continue to struggle with managing and preventing hair loss.

1. Red Light Therapy

An analysis from Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, reviews the effectiveness of red light therapy for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

It highlights that LLLT has shown promising results in stimulating hair growth in both men and women with AGA.

The study notes that LLLT is a non-invasive, safe treatment option, and in some cases, it can be as effective as minoxidil, with even better results when combined.

However, the study calls for more large, controlled trials to strengthen the evidence.

2. Maintain A Healthy Diet

An article featured in International Journal of Trichology, explores the role of diet in hair health, particularly in conditions like androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and telogen effluvium.

It emphasizes that nutritional deficiencies, particularly in amino acids and B-vitamins, can contribute to hair loss.

While increasing dietary intake of these nutrients may improve hair growth, the study suggests that diet alone may not prevent hair loss unless there is a specific deficiency.

3. Scalp Massages

Insights from ePlasty suggest that scalp massage may help reduce hair loss by improving hair thickness. The study involved nine Japanese males who underwent 24 weeks of standardized scalp massage.

Results showed increased hair thickness and gene expression changes related to hair growth after the massage regimen. In vitro, mechanical stretching forces also impacted dermal papilla cells, promoting hair-related gene activity.

4. Manage Stress

A report published in PLOS ONE, explores the effects of naturalistic stress on hair growth and immune response in healthy humans.

It involved 33 female medical students assessed at three time points: before, during, and after a stressful exam period.

Results showed that stress led to changes in immune cytokine balance and hair growth parameters, though these effects were temporary and remained within physiological limits.

The study suggests that stress can temporarily hinder hair growth, although the changes are not long-lasting.

5. Use Natural Oils

Research published in ScienceDirect in July 2022, investigated the effects of essential oils (cedarwood and rosemary) on hair growth using oleogels in an animal model.

The researchers found that both oils, when used individually or combined, enhanced hair growth in albino rats.

The oleogel containing 10% rosemary oil showed results comparable to the positive control (Minoxidil 2%) over six weeks.

The study highlights rosemary oil’s potential as a natural alternative to conventional treatments for hair loss.

6. Gentle Hair Care Practices

An analysis, published in International Journal of Trichology, examined hair care practices among Malaysian medical students across different ethnic groups.

It found that Chinese students had healthier scalps, while Malays had drier, rougher hair.

The study also noted that many students colored their hair and used various styling methods, with females tending to use both shampoo and conditioner.

Stress related to exams and diet was common. The researchers concluded that proper education on hair care practices could help improve scalp and hair health.

7. Avoid Smoking

A survey conducted by Springer Nature, investigates the relationship between cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and alopecia areata(an autoimmune condition causing hair loss).

Analyzing data from the Taiwan National Health Interview Survey, it found that current smokers had a significantly higher risk of developing AA, with the risk increasing based on the number of cigarettes smoked and years of smoking.

In contrast, alcohol consumption was associated with a reduced risk of AA, with both social and regular drinkers showing lower risks compared to non-drinkers.

These findings suggest that smoking increases the likelihood of AA, while alcohol may have a protective effect.

8. Herbal Treatments

A review in Springer Nature explores herbal treatments for hair loss, particularly androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata.

While synthetic treatments have limitations, herbal remedies are gaining attention.

Plants like ginger, saw palmetto, pumpkin, red clover, and ginseng have shown effectiveness in promoting hair regrowth.

These plants are believed to work by inhibiting 5α-reductase, improving scalp circulation, and providing essential nutrients.

9. Take Care of Your Scalp

An Insight from the International Journal of Trichology explores the connection between scalp health and hair loss.

It highlights that oxidative stress on the scalp, including damage caused by the Malassezia organism (a naturally occurring skin fungus linked to dandruff and certain skin conditions), can lead to premature hair loss.

The study suggests that scalp care products, particularly shampoos containing zinc pyrithione, may help reduce oxidative damage and support healthy hair growth.

These products not only treat scalp conditions but can also be beneficial for preventing hair loss in individuals without noticeable scalp issues.

10. Consider Microneedling

An investigation mentioned in the International Journal of Trichology investigates the effectiveness of microneedling combined with minoxidil for treating genetic hair loss.

In a trial involving 100 men, one group received weekly microneedling alongside 5% minoxidil, while the other used minoxidil alone.

Results showed that the microneedling group had a significantly higher increase in hair count, with 82% of participants reporting more than 50% improvement.

The study concludes that microneedling is a safe and effective treatment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, managing hair loss involves a multifaceted approach. Studies suggest methods like red light therapy, maintaining a balanced diet, and scalp massages can help stimulate hair growth.

Microneedling, when combined with treatments like minoxidil, has shown promising results in enhancing hair density.

Avoiding harmful habits such as smoking and managing stress are also important. Additionally, herbal treatments, gentle hair care practices, and scalp care products containing active ingredients like zinc pyrithione may support hair health.