Getting to the root cause of hair loss
"Whether you're a man or a woman, if you notice that your hair is thinning or find clumps of hair in your comb, do not assume that it is an inevitable part of aging. While most of us have changes in hair growth patterns usually beginning in our 50's, hair loss (alopecia) also can be a red flag for several disorders and nutritional deficiencies. Hair loss also can follow an illness that is accompanied by a prolonged high fever, radiation therapy for cancer, or even severe stress.
To determine the underlying cause of your hair loss, see your primary care physician. By examining your pattern of hair loss, he/she will gain clues to the type of alopecia you may have. For example, with alopecia areata, hair loss usually occurs in a sharply defined patch (which can appear anywhere on the scalp). As a professional, I would order blood tests for hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone) and thyroid function. If hair loss is due to a hormone imbalance- including a thyroid deficiency- hair growth will generally occur within three months with the proper hormone replacement therapy. But remember that while you can improve hair growth with hormone supplementation, it is very unlikely that you will restore your hair to the volume you had when you were in your 20's or 30's.
For people who experience any type of hair loss, it is especially important that they get adequate levels of B vitamins, zinc and fatty acids. The daily regimen that is recommended, taken until hair health improves: a B-complex vitamin that contains at least 75 mg each of vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, as well as 800 micrograms each of vitamin B-12 and folic acid...along with 2,000 mg of fish oil...and 45 mg of zinc. The herb gotu kola also promotes normal hair growth and calms the nervous system. Take the herb in tincture form (one-quarter teaspoon in two ounces water) 15 minutes before or after eating, once daily. Gotu kola, taken until hair health is restored, is generally safe for adults (except for those with liver disease). Pregnant women should not take gotu kola. Check with your doctor if you want to take the herb for more than 6 weeks."
At Leonardo's, we recommend Nioxin Hair Cleansing Shampoo which contains natural extracts and ingredients ranging from Vitamin B to Biotin and Niacin. These ingredients smooth the scalp and promote hair growth for people with hair loss. Also use Nioxin Scalp Therapy, which nourishes the scalp and hair follicle. This product promotes blood flow to the follicles and contains many natural extracts. Use a small amount to clean, wet hair, then massage it thoroughly throughout the scalp and the roots of your hair. Leave the Scalp Therapy for at least 5 minutes, then rinse. Do this daily until your hair and scalp is restored.