Facing Crazy Hair Fall? An Expert Shares Some Great Tips To Keep Your Hair From Abandoning Your Scalp

Facing Crazy Hair Fall? An Expert Shares Some Great Tips To Keep Your Hair From Abandoning Your Scalp

I don’t know what it is but there are more hair on my floor currently that there are on my scalp. I don’t know if it is stress or what but nothing seems to make my hair want to stay on my head. Of course, as persons with a curiosity and access to Google and Instagram doctors, I do think I know and usually I attribute it to any and every factor that doesn’t put any blame on me or my very, very questionable lifestyle. But then we had a chance to talk to Dr. Aparna Santhanam, a dermatologist, cosmetologist, and hair and wellness expert working in the field of beauty, health and wellness for more than ten years. Which is great because we got information from a real doctor but now we have to wonder if my scarfing down burgers has anything to do with my hair fall. Damn. Anyway, we asked her some of the burning questions we had about hair and here’s what she had to say.

 

HF: My hair is falling by the truckloads. What should be the first thing I do?

The first step in tackling severe hair loss is to identify the root cause of this loss. Shedding hair loss can be due to variety of reasons that could range from nutritional, hormonal, immunological and loss due to over working and over processing the hair. Visit a dermatologist today to do the required tests for nutrients and /or hormones and start treatment accordingly. The importance of a good hair care routine cannot be over emphasized. Nourish the hair by oiling regularly with coconut-based hair oil twice a week, eat a diet rich in protein and color, use gentle shampoos, conditioners and combs and reduce heat appliances on the hair.

HF: How much hair fall is normal and when should I be alarmed?

Contrary to popular folk lore, there is no magic number, and the number 100 is only a myth. Our hair grows and exists in asynchronous cycles, where normal shedding is about 20 percent of total hair. Certain seasons like monsoons and certain conditions like stress can cause minimal alterations to this and you may see a little more hair on your pillow, wash basin etc. If you feel more than “your normal” is falling persistently for over a month, do visit a doctor to get to the root cause and treat it effectively.

 

What are some of the things you would recommend as a care regimen?

The first thing is to emphasize that you must have a regimen as people frequently skip one. Prewash, nourish your hair with a good warm coconut-based hair oil massage either over night or at least an hour before wash, twice a week. Wash with Lukewarm water and a gentle shampoo, double cleansing, once for scalp and once for hair. Condition, just for a couple of minutes and wash off with cold water. Let your tresses dry naturally after gently towel drying and use a spritz of coconut-based hair oil spray for gentle conditioning of the tips.

There are new products like scalp scrubs and what not, would you recommend these?

I am not an advocate of scalp scrubbing. I think a routine of prewash oiling, gentle shampoo cleansing and conditioning followed by tip care is the best regimen. Pre oiling nourishes, conditions, and helps shampoo to gently exfoliate as well. Once a fortnight a hair pack works wonders.

What are some of the haircare myths you would like to bust?

Oh, there are so many! Oiling is bad for colored, straightened locks is to me the most ridiculous one. Coconut based hair oil reverses damage due to color and processing. The other is that hair is a dead tissue, so I need to do nothing for it! Remember, hair is just like fabric, nourished by scalp. Take care of scalp health and treat your tresses with respect to keep them shiny, bouncy & beautiful!

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