We are venturing in a new age of technology, everything we could ever want is at our fingertips. We can do our grocery shopping, taxes, heck even dating through the comfort of our homes through our mobile devices. It’s no surprise that hair loss sufferers around the world are turning to their kitchen cabinets to find home remedies for their dwindling locks.
Many of the home remedies on the market today treat a variety of ailments, including different forms of hair loss. It is important to identify the root cause of the hair loss prior to treating the condition. The mechanism for triggering hair loss is different, some conditions are triggered by the immune system while others are triggered by hormones. How the ailment is treated is different, because the cause of hair loss is different.
Genetic hair loss is caused by the hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT binds to the hair follicles androgen receptors and slowly begins to shrink the hair follicles and shorten the hair follicles life cycle. Androgenic alopecia (genetic hair loss) follows a distinct pattern for men and women. Male pattern baldness follows a horseshoe pattern. Female pattern baldness follows a Christmas tree thinning pattern on the top of the scalp. Both men and women can suffer from hereditary hair loss and how the condition is treated is completely different from any other form of hair loss.
Now that we have discovered the root cause of androgenic alopecia, let us examine the most popular home remedies for hair loss.
Number 1. Scalp Massage
According to some, hair loss is actually caused by a reduction in blood supply and oxygen to the scalp. There are unverified claims that hair loss is caused because nutrients are not being delivered to the hair follicles through the blood stream. The claims state that this is caused by increased scalp tension. Therefore, massaging the scalp for 10-15 minutes a day will help alleviate the tension thus, increasing the blood supply and oxygen to the scalp.
Number 2. Aloe Vera
Many believe that hair loss is caused by hair follicles becoming clogged by excess oil and sebum. The thought is that hair follicles are suffocated due to the buildup of oil in the hair follicle. These claims are not verified through any scientific evidence or research and exist purely on speculation and theory. The aloe vera is supposed to sooth the scalp and unblock the hair follicles that may be clogged with excess oil.
Number 3. Onion Juice
This is probably the most popular home remedy for hair loss today. Onion juice has been shown to be somewhat successful in treating alopecia areata an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss. Onion juice is thought to improve blood circulation and boost keratin production. Hair follicles are composed of keratin. Unfortunately, genetic hair loss and alopecia areata are two completely different forms of hair loss that are caused for different reasons. While onion juice may help alleviate hair loss caused by an inflammatory autoimmune condition, it won't treat hair loss triggered by DHT.
Bottomline
The idea of treating and even curing hair loss with some common household items may sound intriguing and enticing. The truth is, that the most common form of hair loss cannot be treated with household items. Genetic hair loss has two FDA approved treatments. Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride), while medication can help prevent, slow and even stop hair loss it cannot regrow hair on a completely bald scalp. The only proven treatment to regrow hair on a bald scalp is through hair transplant surgery.
