“Balding battles” Hairfall v/s Homeopathy

WHAT IS HAIR FALL?

Hair loss or hair thinning is a problem characterized by loss of more than 100-150 strands a day. The amount of hair fall can range to mild, moderate or severe depending on the amount of hair fall. There are various factors that trigger hair fall. Nutritional deficiency like anaemia, vitamin deficiency are common causes. It can also occur due to metabolic conditions like thyroid disorders, stress, malignancy and secondary to certain medications. Chronic medical illness like typhoid, infection with COVID-19 and post-partum. Sudden weight loss is often associated with hair fall. Besides this poor hair hygiene, severe dandruff, scalp psoriasis are other triggers. In any person who complains of hair fall it is always advisable to find the underlying cause for appropriate treatment.

Two Common Types of Baldness:

• Male Pattern Baldness: Male pattern baldness also called Androgenetic alopecia. It is primarily genetic, which typically follows a predictable pattern, starting with receding hairline and thinning at the crown. It is influenced by the presence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone derived from testosterone. DHT shrinks hair follicles, causing them to produce thinner and shorter hair until they eventually stop producing hair altogether.
• Female Pattern Baldness: Female pattern baldness is also influenced by genetics but is more complex than in men. Hormonal changes, aging, and the presence of androgens like DHT can contribute to hair thinning in women. Unlike men, women typically experience diffuse thinning all over the scalp rather than receding hairlines or distinct bald spots.

Stages of hair growth cycle:

A hair growth cycle consists of four phases:

Anagen Phase: This is the growth phase, during the anagen phase, hair cells divide and create new hair shafts. It can last from two to seven years.

Catagen Phase: It is a transitional phase, during this phase, hair stops growing and separates from its follicle, which is the structure beneath the skin that holds the hair in place. The catagen phase lasts about 10 days.

 Telogen Phase: It is the resting phaseduring which the follicle rests for two or three months, and then the hair falls out.

Early Anagen Phase: It is the shedding phase, the next anagen phase begins as a new hair grows in the same follicle. Most people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of this natural cycle.

If this cycle is disrupted, or if a hair follicle is damaged, hair may begin to fall out more quickly than it is regenerated, leading to symptoms such as a receding hairline, hair falling out in patches, or overall thinning.

Causes or Factors of hair loss Problem:

1. Genetic factors: family history plays a significant role in determining your susceptibility to hair loss.

2. Skin diseases such as fungal infection, seborrhoea (dandruff), tinea capitis, eczema of scalp and lichen planus, etc.

3. Nutritional deficiencies: Inadequate intake of essential nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamins can weaken hair.

4. Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormones due to pregnancy, medical conditions like PCOS can trigger hair fall, after childbirth, during menopause.

5. Drugs in treating high blood pressure, cancer, joint pains or depression. Hair loss due to chemotherapy in a cancer patient is called as Anagen effluvium.

6. General diseases like Tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, AIDS, Hypothyroidism.

7. Auto-immune hair loss.

8. Hairstyling practices: Excessive heat styling, tight hairstyles, and harsh chemical treatments can damage hair and cause breakage.

9. Recovery from erysipelas and typhoid leads to diffuse hair loss.

10. Stress: Chronic stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to excessive hair fall.

11. Emotional trauma – loss of a family member or a close friend.

12. Trichotillomania -a mental disorder of the affected person voluntarily pulls out his or her scalp hair.

Signs and symptoms of hair loss:

1. Increased hair in brush or shower drain: One of the earliest signs is noticing more hair in brush, comb or shower drain than usual after grooming.
2. Gradual thinning of hairs: Gradual thinning on top of head. This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting people as they age. In men, hair often begins to recede at the hairline on the forehead. Women typically have a broadening of the part in their hair. An increasingly common hair loss pattern in older women is a receding hairline (frontal fibrosing alopecia).
3. Visible Bald spots: Circular or patchy bald spots. Some people lose hair in circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp, beard or eyebrows. Skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
4. Psychological Distress: Sudden loosening of hair. Hairfall can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, or reduced self-esteem, especially if it affects your appearance significantly. A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning but is temporary.
5. Visible hair loss on other body parts: Full-body hair loss. Some conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in the loss of hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back.
6. Increased shedding: Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp. This is a sign of ringworm. It may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling and, at times, oozing.

Top 5 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Hairfall and Regrowth:

1. Arnica Montana – Hair Restorer

Acts best in plethoric, dark haired people of rigid muscles, with a nervous, sanguine nature, but it acts feebly in debilitated people with impoverished blood. Traumatism of grief, remorse or sudden realization of financial loss.  Helps to increase the local circulation in the scalp area and hence more nutrition to the existing and growing hairs making them healthy. Arnica is widely used in homeopathic medicine to promote hair growth, prevent hair loss, and treat dandruff. It is commonly found as an oil, shampoo, or hydrogel, a 99% water-based product. Arnica has an anti-inflammatory property and hence prevents infection of the scalp. It rejuvenates the scalp and makes the hair follicles healthy leading to the strengthening of hair and preventing premature falling. Cleanses excess oil and debris from the scalp along with reducing dandruff and itchiness from the scalp. Mixing it with the other two ingredients helps in making the hair smooth and manageable by preventing tangled and rough hair. It also prevents premature greying and split ends especially if used with Arnica Hair Oil with Jaborandi.

• Jaborandi – Hair Tonic

Jaborandi is a natural hair tonic that helps in strengthening hair follicles and prevents hair fall and baldness. It is a known drug for alopecia and premature greying. Jaborandi is also known for its potential to regulate excessive oil production in the scalp and believed to have antifungal properties that may help control dandruff and maintain a healthy scalp. It works mainly as a hair restorer. Helps in keeping the hair black and helps to turn the white hair black.

• Salvia Officinalis – Acts as a Lotion

Controls excessive sweating when circulation is enfeebled; of less use in phthisis with sweats. Since older times it has been used to treat hair fall and baldness. Prevents hair loss, restores shine to hair, and acts as a lotion. It is a specific drug for premature greying. Along with that it can also darken and intensify hair colour. Used as a stimulator for hair growth. Has the properties of making the hair thicker and stronger. Particularly promotes new hair growth by increasing the blood circulation of the scalp and hence providing more nutrition to the hair follicles. It also has astringent properties which diminish dandruff, itching and also prevent the clogging of the hair follicles.

• Wiesbaden Aqua – For Hair Regrowth

It is a natural remedy to aid hair regrowth. It is sourced from springs of Wiesbaden in Prussia. This medicine is known to aid the quick growth of hair. It also helps make the hair dense and darker in colour. It nourishes hair roots and makes hair healthy and strong.

•  Fluoricum Acidum – For Hair Loss In Spots

Alopecia, caries of the skin. Pressure on the sides of head, from within outward. A person having hair loss in spots (alopecia areata) can find this medicine beneficial. It prevents further progression of hair loss and promotes hair regrowth in the already present spots. It is also a good medicine when hair strands are brittle and dry that tend to break off easily. It helps in decreasing dryness in the hair and preventing hair breakage. Lastly, it is also the best for controlling hair loss after fever, particularly typhoid.

Top 3 Homeopathic Medicines for Male Pattern Baldness:

1. Lycopodium: Mild temperaments of lymphatic constitution with catarrhal tendencies; older people, with an earthy complexion, uric acid diathesis. Symptoms characteristically run from right to left, acts especially on the right side of the body and are worse from about 4 to 8 pm. Craves anything warm. Premature baldness and grey hair. It is often prescribed for male pattern baldness with symptoms like hair loss at the front and sides of the head, with dandruff. With this, dandruff may be present with foul smell emanating from the scalp. The scalp may be itchy, burning   sensation can also be present.
2. Silicea: Silicea is useful for male pattern baldness in very young males. Silicea patient is cold, chilly, hugs the fire, wants plenty of warm clothing, and hates drafts, hands and feet cold, worse in winter. Want of grit moral or physical. Ailments attended with pus formation. It is recommended when hair loss is accompanied by slow hair growth and brittle hair. Excessive sweating occurs on the scalp that gives foul smell. Sensation of coldness is felt on the scalp.
3. Phosphoric acid: The common acid “debility” is very marked in this remedy, producing a nervous exhaustion. Mental debility first; later physical. Phosphoric acid is found in young people who grow rapidly and who are over taxed, mentally or physically. It is used when hair loss occurs due to grief, stress, or emotional disturbances. It can help with hair loss and exhaustion from grief.

Top 3 Homeopathic Medicines for Female Pattern Baldness:

1. Sepia: Sepia is prescribed for female pattern baldness with symptoms of hair loss, especially at the temples, accompanied by hormonal imbalances like irregular menstrual cycles and mood swings. The roots of hair seems sore (pain on touching), feels sensitive on combing. 
2. Pulsatilla: Pulsatilla is considered when hair loss is associated with hormonal fluctuations, such as during menopause or after childbirth. It may suit individuals who are emotional and sensitive.
3. Natrum Mur: Natrum Mur is used when hair loss occurs due to stress of grief and women experiencing hair loss after childbirth. Along with hair loss, severe headache after child delivery may be felt. Hair loss may be noted on the slightest touch on the scalp. Great debility; maximum weakness is felt in the morning, in bed, coldness. Great liability to take cold. Dry mucous membranes. Great weakness and weariness.

Lifestyle tips to minimize hair loss:

1. Balanced diet: Consume a diet rich in lean proteins, vitamins (especially biotin and vitamin D), and minerals (such as iron and zinc) to support healthy hair growth.

2. Gentle Hair Care: Use a mild shampoo, avoid hot water, and be gentle when washing and brushing your hair to prevent damage.

3. When styling hair in braids, ponytails, keep the hair loose to prevent extra pressure on hair.

4. Limit Heat Styling: Reduce the use of heated styling tools and always apply a heat protectant before use.

5. Stress Management: Practice stress-relief techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing to minimize the impact of stress on your hair.

6. Regular Scalp Massage: Massaging your scalp increases blood circulation, which can promote hair growth.

7. If in the habit of smoking then try to stop it as smoking may damage hair follicles.

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