Hair Raising Concerns About Hair Loss

March 24, 2004

Hair Raising Concerns About Hair Loss

Let’s be honest. Every woman knows that a bad hair

day can sour her entire world. So it’s no wonder that so many of

my patients have run to me in a panic because their hair was thinning

or even falling out. If this sounds all too familiar, the good news

is you can most likely turn your hair loss around.

Medications and Medical Conditions

The average woman loses 50 to 100 strands of hair

every day. But if your hair is falling out with more frequency,

or is becoming thinner and thinner with each passing month, there

are several factors that could be contributing to your hair concerns.

Some medications, such as diuretics, can cause

unpleasant side effects, including hair loss. Similarly, brittle

hair and hair loss can be symptoms of medical conditions like hypothyroidism,

lupus, diabetes, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. So, before you

try any of my natural remedies, make sure you rule out these causes,

first.

Supplements for Healthy Hair

In order for hair to growth thick and healthy,

it needs a constant, nutrient-rich supply of blood to its follicles.

I have found that a healthy hair diet includes adequate amounts

of five key nutrients.

• Essential fatty acids:

  Eat foods rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, like flaxseed

  oil (1–2 tablespoons per day), milled flaxseed (4–6

  tablespoons per serving), and cold-water fish, such as salmon,

  trout, or halibut (3 times a week).

• Zinc: Take 15 mg

  a day. The best food sources include wheat germ, oysters, pumpkin

  seeds, and high protein foods such as chicken breast, eggs (especially

  organic, omega-3 rich eggs), and fish.

• Copper: Take 2–3

  mg a day. The best food sources for copper include seafood (especially

  raw oysters), nuts, legumes, bran cereals, fruits and vegetables,

  and blackstrap molasses.

• B complex vitamins:

  Take at least 50 mcg of B12, and 40–50 mg of each of the

  other B vitamins every day. The best food sources for the vitamin

  B complex are brewer’s yeast, beans and peas, kelp, mushrooms,

  whole grains, nuts, and seeds. If you are taking medications such

  as sulfa drugs or tetracycline, you may need to increase your

  intake of these nutrients.

• Selenium: Take 50–200

  mcg a day. The best food sources are egg yolks, seafood, whole

  grains, lean red meats, chicken, and mushrooms.

Hormonal Causes

Unfortunately, diminished production of estrogen

often causes hair loss. During your active reproductive years, estrogen

levels tend to be higher, hence your hair tends to be thicker, stronger,

and shinier.

To give your hormones a boost, try taking 1-2

mg of estriol per day, in capsule form. Like other estrogens,

estriol has to be prescribed by your physician. I have found that

physicians in my area will often prescribe estriol when requested

to do so by their patients. Currently, it is only available through

compounding pharmacies, such as the Women’s International Pharmacy

in Madison, WI, which ships estriol formulations to physicians throughout

the U.S. They can be reached by phone at 1-800-279-5708.

Lavender Restores Luscious Locks

Lastly, one of the most widely accepted natural

treatments for promoting hair growth and healthy scalp circulation

is lavender. A study reported in the November 1998 Archives of

Dermatology indicated that 3 drops of lavender (along with 2

drops each of thyme and cedarwood and 3 drops of rosemary in a carrier-oil

blend of 1/2 teaspoon of jojoba oil and 4 teaspoons of grapeseed

oil) promoted hair growth and healthy scalp circulation. In fact,

44 percent of the treatment group enjoyed new hair growth, as compared

to 15 percent of the control group! And there were none of the adverse

side effects frequently found with conventional treatments for hair

loss.

If you would like to try this treatment option,

I’ve outlined below three simple ways you can begin using lavender

to treat your hair loss right now, in the comfort of your home.

1. Use a diffuser to disperse micro-particles of the essential oil

in the air.

2. Apply through your skin by bath, massage, hot and cold compresses,

or simple topical application.

3. Spray infused waters in the air or onto your skin.

Essential oils can be purchased in many health

food and beauty stores, but keep in mind that the quality of the

oil may vary. For the highest quality, look for oils packaged in

small dark blue or brown vials. Also, prices within a particular

brand line will vary, as some essential oils are far more expensive

than others. A product line with similar pricing throughout may

be offering oils of inferior quality.