Hair loss can often be a difficult topic for people to discuss. Experiencing hair loss can be a demoralising and upsetting experience for many, and sufferers of hair loss might find it difficult to talk to others about their condition if they feel embarrassed about what is happening to them. While there might be a stigma surrounding hair loss, it is important to remember that this condition can affect people of any age or gender and can occur for a huge variety of reasons. It isn’t necessarily just a sign of old age. However, a sudden or unexpected loss of hair could be a symptom of an underlying health condition, so it is important to discuss your concerns with your doctor if you have noticed a dramatic increase in hair shedding.
Why Does Hair Loss Happen?
The condition of hair loss can also be known as baldness or alopecia. Causes of hair loss vary from temporary or easily resolved conditions such as pregnancy or a vitamin deficiency to more complex, longer-term health problems or increased levels of stress. Some sufferers of alopecia might notice hair loss all over their body, while others only lose hair from their scalp.
Hair loss generally happens when there is a reduction in the stimulation of hair growth. As a result, hair follicles shrink and the hairs growing from these follicles become increasingly short, weak and less strongly coloured. When this happens, the hair follicles do not die; they just become unable to produce hairs that are as strong and healthy as they were before. The hairs that grow from shrunken follicles also have a shorter life span, which means they fall out more frequently. All of this results in an increase in hair loss and remaining hair that is thinner and greyer, eventually becoming so fine that it appears non-existent.
Hair loss has been a problem for both men and women for centuries, and there have been some strange treatments throughout the ages to try to combat the problem. Ancient Egyptians massaged their scalps with salves made from hippopotamus, lion, snake and crocodile fats, while as recently as the 19th and 20th centuries, many people claimed that snake oil, harsh blistering irritants or even electrical shocks would help to restore a full head of hair. Thankfully, the treatments available today are much more pleasant and more effective than the options available to our ancestors.
The causes and symptoms of hair loss vary hugely from person to person, so the treatment for alopecia can vary from case to case. However, regardless of the cause of your hair loss, there are some simple options that might help to reduce the rate or appearance of hair loss, stimulate hair growth and improve the health of your remaining hair. These are products that can be used every day and are easily worked into your daily routine. Many of them can show effects very quickly.
Hair Loss Shampoos & Conditioners
There are a wide variety of hair loss shampoos and conditioners available for both men and women. Many of these brands work in different ways to tackle hair loss. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular brands.
Growth stimulation
Some brands aim to kick-start hair growth again, recovering the production of longer, stronger hairs from shrunken hair follicles while also encouraging your remaining hair to grow with more strength, colour and thickness. Nanogen is one such brand. Nanogen’s shampoo and conditioner ranges contain hair growth factors to support your body’s own hair growth stimulation: prolonged use helps your hair to grow for longer in each growth cycle. Nanogen’s products are suitable for both men and women, and they also have ranges specific to each gender so that you can choose the product to best suit you.
LA Science also offers a similar follicle-stimulating range containing a peptide that mimics hair growth factors. Similar to Nanogen’s offering, LA Science’s shampoo delivers these molecules directly to the hair follicle to encourage increased hair growth and the restoration of thicker, fuller hair.
Caffeine
Alpecin shampoos and conditioners contain caffeine, which penetrates the hair to its root during use. Some men are genetically predisposed to experience Male Pattern Baldness as their genes make their hair follicles more sensitive to testosterone. The caffeine in Alpecin products promotes hair growth and protects hair follicles from the negative impact that testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can have on hair growth. For this reason, Alpecin is very popular amongst men who suffer from Male Pattern Baldness.
Nature’s solution
Nisim’s hair loss shampoo also works to neutralise the effects of DHT and cleanse the scalp of oils, sweat, dirt and excess sebum to reduce hair loss and encourage hair growth. Nisim uses natural ingredients to produce a blend of herbs and vitamins and offers a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the results.
Another herb-infused option is Fushi, which uses herbs such as rosemary and bay to encourage stimulation of the hair follicle as well as circulation to and cleansing of the scalp. Similarly, Klorane offers a strengthening shampoo range with extract of chinchona bark, which contains quinine for hair follicle stimulation and vitamin B complex for reinforcing hair structure and growth stimulation.
Volumising
Kerastase offers a selection of shampoos and conditioners for men and women whose hair has thinned or lost some of its life and vitality. While this solution does not encourage new hair growth, it can help to reduce the appearance of hair loss by strengthening the remaining hair and restoring its shine to give hair the appearance of being thicker and healthier. John Frieda also offers a similar effect from their range of volume-maximising shampoos and conditioners.
As you can see, all of these brands offer different solutions to people suffering from hair loss. While some attempt to stimulate hair growth, others work to reduce the rate of hair loss in the first place or to volumise and strengthen remaining hair. When deciding on a product, it is best to determine what end result you want to see and then choose a brand and product that can help to achieve your goal.