This article was medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH and by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD. Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
There are 22 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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Hair loss is very common—hormonal changes, medical conditions, and new medications can all cause it, or there might be no particular reason beyond your heredity. But that doesn’t mean you have no choice but to sit back and let it happen! This article lists several helpful strategies for reducing hair loss, starting with hair care and lifestyle changes, moving on to home remedies that may be effective, and finishing with medical treatments for active hair loss.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
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If you’re experiencing hair loss, your doctor will typically diagnose it as one of the following:[25]
- Androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) is a hereditary condition that affects both men and women. In men, hair begins to recede from the forehead in a line resembling the letter M. Women usually keep their hairline but their part widens.
- Patchy hair loss, which appears as smooth, coin-sized bald spots usually on the scalp, can indicate that one has alopecia areata.
- If you are experiencing significant changes in your hormones, like if you are a woman going through menopause, you may experience hair loss. Talk to your doctor about treating your hair loss at the hormonal level.
- Physical or emotional shocks can cause hair to loosen. You might lose handfuls of hair when combing or washing your hair. Generally, your hair will feel and look thinner overall. Patches of baldness are unlikely.
- Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, may cause hair loss. Treating the hypothyroidism may halt your hair loss.
- If you have hair loss all over your body, this could be a result of some medical treatments like chemotherapy for cancer. Your hair usually will grow back with time.
- Ringworm is another cause of hair loss. Patches of scaling can spread over your scalp. Other symptoms include broken hair, redness, and oozing.
Thanks
Tips from our Readers
- Avoid blowdrying your hair, and try to consume a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
- Switch to an Ayurvedic shampoo like Patanjali, or apply an egg or yogurt hair mask to your strands daily.
- Massage you head with coconut oil, drink plenty of water, and get at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
References
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/dry-hair
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips
- ↑ https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-manage-and-reduce-stress
- ↑ https://www.beaumont.org/health-wellness/blogs/health-benefits-of-meal-planning
- ↑ https://www.beaumont.org/health-wellness/blogs/health-benefits-of-meal-planning
- ↑ https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dri-calculator/index.php
- ↑ https://sites.duke.edu/thepepproject/module-2-drug-testing-a-hair-brained-idea/content-background-the-anatomy-and-composition-of-hair/
- ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/the-importance-of-hydration/
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Choose-Water-for-Healthy-Hydration.aspx
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/water.html
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5582478/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-biotin-as-good-as-advertised-for-your-hair-loss/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-best-vitamins-supplements-and-products-for-healthier-hair
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17569567/
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12126069
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931/
- ↑ https://nyulangone.org/conditions/hair-loss/diagnosis
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4314881/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16921-hair-loss-in-women
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24474647
- ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hair-transplant-surgery
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/hair-loss-alopecia-areata
About This Article
To reduce hair loss, consider natural treatments. For example, sage may increase hair density, and rosemary might stimulate hair growth. Buy these herbs fresh, and cook and eat them weekly for best results. Alternatively, you can directly treat the scalp by mixing rosemary with almond oil and applying it to balding areas 2 to 3 times a week. If you prefer professional treatments, see a doctor to discuss the medications, such as Rogaine, which is applied to the scalp, or Propecia, which is ingested daily. To learn more from our Doctor of Medicine co-author, like how to prevent any further hair loss, keep reading the article!
Reader Success Stories
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"I used some hair treatments and oils for my hair; made my hair grow faster and reduce my hair loss."