Have you noticed your hair looks less luxurious and healthy than it used to be? It can be scary to notice mounds of hair in your brush or see clumps falling out in the shower. Without a doubt, we all want a healthy, full head of hair. But sadly, many of us are losing more than the average 50-150 hairs per day.

If this is the case for you, and you’re wondering the best course of action, this blog should provide some relief. In it, we’re discussing the root cause of hair loss in men and women and how you can naturally address the root cause of the issue instead of just chasing the symptoms.

What Causes Hair Loss?

According to Mayo Clinic, there are four leading causes of hair loss:

1. Genetics
2. Certain medications (like antibiotics and immunosuppressants)
3. Hormonal changes (this is a BIG one)
4. And certain medical conditions (like alopecia)

Next, let’s examine how these four factors play into male and female hair loss before diving into some natural solutions.

How Does Hair Loss Differ in Men and Women?

When we think of hair loss, many of us consider this as a”men’s issue.” But surprisingly, many women also suffer from hair loss. In fact, some experts report that women make up 40% of hair loss sufferers in the United States alone. Because this problem is prevalent in men AND women, it’s not surprising that hair loss remedies are so popular. But the cause of hair loss in men and women is typically quite different. Let’s see how…

What causes hair loss in women?

Female hair loss is typically attributed to hormone imbalance, stress, toxic exposure, and thyroid conditions. Additional causes of hair loss in women include significant life changes that cause hormone fluctuations like menopause, birth control pills, pregnancy, and having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

What causes hair loss in men?

66% of American men have some amount of hair loss by 35. When you get to age 50, that number exponentially jumps to 85%, according to the American Hair Loss Association. So, it’s safe to say that hair loss will affect most men throughout their life.

The cause of hair loss in men is rooted in a sensitivity to the male androgen hormone, DHT. DHT causes hair follicles to shrink, shortening the life span of follicles and decreasing overall hair production. Long story short, if DHT is high – hair growth will be reduced in men. The result will be male pattern baldness (or androgenetic alopecia).

Conventional Solutions for Hair Loss and Their Side Effects

Before revealing our natural tips and tricks for preventing and reversing hair loss, let’s take a moment to look at how conventional medicine addresses this common affliction.

The 6 most popular conventional hair loss treatments include:

1. Topical minoxidil. Also known as “Rogaine,”it can be easily found over the counter and used by both men and women. Minoxidil’s side effects include itching, burning, increased hair loss, swelling of the face, and at the site of application. If too much of this medication is absorbed into your body, you can experience more severe symptoms such as blurred vision, fainting, flushing, headache, weight gain, and more.
2. Oral finasteride. Finasteride is used to treat men only and is an oral medication that requires a doctor’s prescription. It works similarly to minoxidil and will only work as long as you use this medication. As soon as you stop, so will your hair growth.
3. Topical or oral hormones. Topical and oral steroids can work to address hair loss in men and women, but with hormone replacement therapy comes a whole host of other potential side effects and problems. And as with the previous treatments we mentioned, as soon as the hormone replacement therapy stops – so does your hair growth.
4. Steroids. Steroid Injections work to prevent the immune system from attacking hair follicles, which has been shown to help trigger hair regrowth in alopecia patients. Side effects of this treatment route include pain at the injection site, transient atrophy, thinning of the skin, elevation of blood pressure, osteoporosis, and more.
5. Hair transplant surgery. Hair transplantation surgery works by taking hair from one area of the scalp (where it is fuller) and moving it to a balding or thinning area. Risks include allergic reaction to anesthesia, failed grafts, infection, scarring, loss of feeling on your scalp, and excessive blood loss.
6. And hair restoration surgery. Hair restoration surgery can be performed in several ways. The most common way is to remove bald scalp and bring the hair-producing scalp closer together to decrease the visible area of balding. The risks of hair transplant surgery include allergic reaction to anesthesia, infection, scarring, loss of feeling on your scalp, and excessive blood loss.

As you can see, conventionally addressing hair loss can be an invasive endeavor that is physically and financially taxing on the patient. If you would like to take a more natural approach to manage your thinning hair, read on to the next section, where we will share some natural strategies to try before considering the conventional route.

4 Natural Solutions for Hair Loss in Men and Women

If the conventional treatment options leave you feeling squeamish, the good news is that there are a lot of natural solutions for hair loss to consider first.

1. Diet as a Natural Hair Regrowth Treatment?

Nutrition, one of the five pillars of The Hache Protocol For Pain Resolution™, can play a huge role in whether you lose your hair or not. To keep your follicles healthy, focus on nutrient-rich whole foods and avoid trans-fatty acids, excess caffeine, alcohol, and sugar. And stay away from processed foods that contain chemicals as they can function as endocrine disrupters and further contribute to hormonal imbalances. A 2017 study found a connection between protein deficiency and hair loss. So, upping your protein intake with wild-caught fish, bone broth, seeds, pulses,and nuts could also help to build the luscious locks you desire.

2. Essential Oils for Hair Loss

Almost everyone has some essential oils lying around their home. But did you know that some essential oils can be a natural solution for hair fall? Lavender, rosemary, thyme, cedarwood, sage, and peppermint are all reported to increase circulation and promote hair growth. In fact, a 2015 study found rosemary essential oil to be as effective as minoxidil (Rogaine) at promoting hair growth in those with male pattern baldness.

Natural Hair Growth Tonic Recipe:

Ingredients:

• Peppermint essential oil
• Rosemary essential oil
• Sage essential oil
• A carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil.

Instructions:

Combine three to four drops of each essential oil into one tablespoon of carrier oil and thoroughly mix. Apply tonic(gently)to the area(s) of concern once or twice daily.

3. Stress Management as a Holistic Hair Loss Treatment

Another major player in your proactive quest to manage hair loss is also a pillar of the Hache Protocol™ – stress management.

Stress can be the trigger for three types of hair loss in men and women:

1. Telogen effluvium. Extended periods of stress can cause your hair follicles to shift into a resting phase. Within a few months, you will notice your hair falling out with simple washing or combing.
2. Trichotillomania. Or the irresistible urge to pull out hair can be a counterproductive way of dealing with uncomfortable feelings, such as tension, stress, loneliness, frustration, or boredom.
3. Alopecia areata. Happens when your body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles in response to undue stress.

You can minimize stress by utilizing the techniques outlined in our various blog posts on the subject here.

4. Microcurrent Therapy: A Natural Solution for Hair Loss in Men and Women

Microcurrent therapy can address hair loss by increasing circulation and cutting down stress. To perform this natural hair loss prevention protocol, you need a microcurrent generator, like the Avazzia Life Pinnacle and the Brush Electrode.

Hair Loss Prevention Protocol

The first step in tackling hair loss of any kind is to address any existing scar tissue on the scalp. Scar tissue prevents hair growth and may even naturally appear over time as the hair dies off.

• To address scar tissue, set your device to 77hz and attach the Brush Electrode. Gently brush over the entire head focusing on trouble areas.
• Next, you will switch your Avazzia microcurrent device to the Gamma setting (32-45Hz). This will help to promote blood flow and correct any poor electrical communication.
• Brush over the entire head focusing on trouble areas for 3-5 minutes at a comfortable power setting.

This protocol can be performed daily to encourage the regrowth of lost hair and prevent additional hair loss.

Sources Cited:

https://www.americanhairloss.org/women_hair_loss/introduction.html

American Hair Loss Association – Men’s Hair Loss

Minoxidil (Topical Route) Side Effects – Mayo Clinic

Intralesional Steroids for Alopecia Areata (nih.gov)

Prevalence of Nutritional Deficiencies in Hair Loss among Indian Participants: Results of a Cross-sectional Study (nih.gov)

Europe PMC