Premature Balding
How To Prevent Premature Balding
Premature balding is one of the touchiest subjects to discuss for anyone who happens to be experiencing it. Losing hair is natural, and believe it or not, you lose at least 100 hairs per day. This is a part of your body's aging process so the older you get, the more you typically lose. During the course of your life, hair follicles become more and more fatigued and brittle which results in new hair production being ceased.
While losing your hair is natural, premature balding is just plain frustrating because it makes you look far older than what you actually are. The reason that this happens is that after puberty, there is a significant increase in testosterone production which becomes broke down to the hormone DHT as soon as it comes in direct contact with enzymes that are in your skin. When this happens, the follicle's ability to produce hair is inhibited in the upper forehead and crown region so any hair that falls out isn't replaced.
It is estimated that one-third of the world's population suffers from some level of premature balding. It plagues mostly men and it can also be hereditary so chances are, if your father or grandfather went bald prematurely, so will you. Also, dietary disorders and stress can be to blame as well. Unfortunately, premature balding cannot be cured but if you can spot the early signs of a thinning scalp or receding hairline, you can slow down the process significantly.
Prevention
While losing your hair sooner than you're ready may be inevitable, it is suggested that making a few changes to your diet and lifestyle could both slow it down and even prevent it.
- Lifestyle – Nothing speeds up hair loss faster than a hectic lifestyle. Slowing down your busy days and taking even a few minutes of daily personal time can help.
- Diet – A balanced diet full of nutritional foods that offer all the vitamins and minerals that you body needs can stop hair loss. This means plenty of fruit and leafy vegetables, tofu, nuts and soy should all be a part of your diet.
- Stress – It is essential that if you are prone to premature balding that you learn to control your stress levels from an early age. Daily exercise, yoga and meditation are all effective with reducing stress and contributing to a happy and healthy lifestyle.
- Drugs – While you already know that drugs are bad for you, do you know that many offer a balding side effect? This not only includes recreational drugs but also the extended or overuse of prescription medications like painkillers. On a side note, smoking causes gray hair because it drains the vitamin B from your system so unless you want your head bald and gray, you should avoid smoking as well.
- Chemicals – Straightening solutions, perms and hair dye leads to hair loss and damage. Not to mention, that cheap shampoo you're using may have enough chemicals to destroy your hair as well. Choose a product that is organic and stay away from anything that contains sodium lauryl sulfate.
Foods For Healthy Hair
Now that you have been told that a nutritious diet is crucial, it is helpful to explore what types of foods will offer you the most value when it comes to saving your hair. If you struggle squeezing certain foods into your busy lifestyle, you should also consider taking vitamin supplements. Vitamin A is very important to your scalp because it produces the sebum that is found in your scalp that makes a base for your hair. Also, to encourage hair growth, you should be taking vitamin B12 and C.
Eating apricots, carrots, strawberries, peaches, pineapple, green peppers, tomatoes and dark green vegetables are ideal as are whole grains and egg yolks. Protein is a major component in your hair so eating foods such as fish, nuts and legumes will not only strengthen your hair but also prevent premature hair loss.
Additionally, minerals such as zinc, silica, sulfur, selenium and magnesium are all important components when it comes to a healthy head of hair. Most people say they notice a significant change in their hair within a week of improving their diet.