Hair fall control is a serious dilemma that the world is currently facing. But, with so many products claiming to treat hair fall being sold like peanuts in the market, the confusion is understandable. Every other day a new serum, a shampoo and a new “miracle growth” oil is being launched into the market that can magically solve all your hair fall worries. You buy them, empty the bottles yet, don’t see any results.
You need not overthink anymore , because here we have curated a detailed step by step routine for you, so that you can easily figure out how to use all your hair growth products & in what order , for them to effectively treat your hair fall woes. So let’s cut to the chase & get right into it!
STEP 1- Gentle cleansing with the right shampoo (2-3 times a week):
Use a mild, sulfate free shampoo which contains natural ingredients like rosemary, biotin, caffeine, etc. that can help strengthen your roots and aid in hair fall control. Check the back of the shampoo bottle for the ingredient list. Make sure that if you come across these ingredients, you immediately discontinue use-
- SLS/SLES
- Parabens
- Silicones
- Artificial fragrances & dyes
- Alcohol based ingredients
- Formaldehyde
- Mineral oil & petroleum based ingredients
Choose shampoos with natural foaming agents and moisturizers like reetha and aloe vera respectively.
When using a shampoo, take an ample amount of product into your palms and mix it with some water, emulsify by rubbing well between the palms and work your way all through your scalp. Leave the shampoo on for 1-2 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
STEP 2- CONDITIONING AFTER WASH
Use a good conditioner after you finish your wash. Conditioners help to lock in moisture, detangle knotted strands and give the hair shine & smoothness. Conditioners must only be applied to the hair and not the scalp as it can clog follicles. Start from the mid lengths or the hair starting from below your ears and go all the way down to your ends. Leave it on for 3-5 minutes and then rinse well. Argan oil is a great conditioning and moisturising agent by itself but if incorporated into a dedicated conditioner, it can offer a multitude of benefits for frizzy and dry hair. You can also go for deep conditioning treatments like using olive oil based hair masks once a week for an added boost of hydration.
Step 3- Scalp Massages & Oiling (2-3 times per week):
Scalp massages & oiling promote blood circulation in the scalp, stimulates follicles and strengthens the hair, improving elasticity. Use any cold pressed oil of your choice such as castor oil, rosemary oil or kalonji oil. You can even warm it up a little bit for better absorption. Start by applying 5 drops of oil per section using a dropper or cotton ball until your entire scalp is covered. Use your fingertips or a dedicated massager to gently massage the pressure points on your scalp. Try the inversion massage technique or the scalp over skull massage technique for better blood circulation. Scalp massages can stretch out the hair cells and the diameter of the follicle and have also been proven by studies to increase hair thickness & density. Leave the oil on for 3–4 hours max, avoid overnight oiling as that can lead to clogging of pores & hair fall. Wash it off with a gentle shampoo.
STEP 4 - Proper hair handling & detangling:
Try using wide toothed wooden combs to detangle your hair and remove any knots. Start from your ends and work your way up to the roots to avoid any snapping and tugging of hair. Fine tooth combs can weaken your roots and cause hair to break off easily. Avoid combing wet hair at all costs, wet hair is weak and tender and can easily cause hair fall.
STEP 5- Weekly DIY hair mask:
Use weekly DIY hair masks to strengthen hair, deeply nourish and prevent breakage. Here are a few easy mask recipes that you can easily make using just a few simple kitchen ingredients -
- Egg and olive oil mask- Our hair is mostly made up of keratin, which is a type of protein which makes up most of our hair structure. Egg is one of the richest sources of protein and mixing just one whole egg with a tbsp of olive oil can give your hair a salon-like smoothening treatment at home. Olive oil is one of the healthiest sources of fats in the world and a great natural conditioner for hair.
- Aloe Vera and coconut oil mask- The super combo of aloe vera and coconut oil can help improve hair growth and add incredible softness to the hair. Aloe soothes the scalp and kills bacteria and fungus. Coconut hydrates the hair and prevents protein loss.
- Fenugreek and Yogurt mask- Yogurt has lactic acid that soothes any inflammation and redness. Fenugreek contains protein that strengthens and thickens hair.
STEP 6- EAT A HAIR FRIENDLY DIET:
Eat a healthy balanced diet with equal proportions of protein, iron, zinc and omegas. For protein you can eat lean meat, eggs, fish, lentils, cottage cheese, beans, etc. Spinach, nuts, seeds and whole grains are rich in iron and zinc. Walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds are a great source of omegas. Avocados, almonds and sweet potatoes are rich in biotin which is one of the most vital nutrients for supporting healthy hair growth. Make sure you avoid sugary, fried and processed foods that can spike up your glycemic index and cause inflammatory conditions within your body.
STEP 7- MINIMISE HEAT TREATMENTS:
Chemical and heat styling treatments can give you a stylish and sleek look for a short period of time. However, long term use of these treatments can seriously damage your hair in the long run. Getting treatments like smoothening, keratin, rebonding, etc. can form a layer around your strands and damage your cuticle fibres. Try to minimize the use of heat tools like straighteners and curlers. These heat treatments make the hair fibres more prone to moisture loss, increases hair porosity and fades natural hair colour over time.
STEP 8- PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLES:
Protective hairstyles such as loose braids and low ponytails while going to bed can help prevent damage to the hair due to friction with the pillow while sleeping. Roots and cuticles can be weakened and hair texture can get frizzier. Tying up hair in a loose braid or pony can help keep hair intact while you’re asleep, preventing any of this damage.
STEP 9- STRESS MANAGEMENT:
Stress is the biggest killer of hair follicles. Stress releases a hormone called cortisol which directly attacks your hair follicles and puts them into the resting phase causing severe shedding. Managing stress is crucial for hair loss control. Some effective ways to manage stress is by practicing yoga and meditation. Breathwork can help with relieving stored anxiety. Ashwagandha is a good natural supplement for regulating cortisol levels and relieving tension. Prioritising 8 hours of sleep is also crucial for reduction of cortisol levels. Aim to exercise regularly, even if it's just walking for 20 minutes. Exercising stimulates endorphins in the body and releases feel good hormones, which refreshes the mind.