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3/4/2023

Is rosemary hair care's next big micro-trend?

​Rosemary Oil and Hair Growth is all the talk these days.

Last August I included an article in my newsletter under 3 Hair Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Summer about Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth.

Below is the article "Should I Use Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth?" from Healthline.com
​Should I Use Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth?

​Topically applied rosemary oil may help support hair growth and prevent hair loss. But applying too much can cause side effects.

Rosemary essential oil and hair

Rosemary is a culinary and healing herb. This woody perennial is native to the Mediterranean region, where it’s been used as food and medicine for centuries.

Much like oregano, peppermint, and cinnamon, rosemary is frequently found in essential oil form. Essential oils are highly concentrated and distilled extracts of volatile plant compounds. These are used for cooking, cleaning, beauty, health, and other purposes.

Rosemary essential oil is a common variety you can purchase and use as a home remedy. The oil’s health uses range from antioxidant benefits and anti-inflammation to memory enhancement and more.

In recent years, there have been claims that the oil may be great for hair growth. Some say it could even prevent hair loss, pointing to Mediterranean cultures’ use of rosemary in hair rinses to promote hair growth for hundreds of years as supporting evidence.

Can rosemary oil treat hair loss?

​The idea that rosemary oil encourages hair growth may come from the rosemary’s basic health benefits. The plant in essential oil form is said to:
  • have anti-inflammatory properties
  • promote nerve growth
  • improve circulation

Like peppermint essential oil (also used to promote hair growth), rosemary essential oil strengthens circulation. As a result, it could prevent hair follicles from being starved of blood supply, dying off, and leading to hair loss.

Beyond stimulating hair growth, rosemary essential oil is used to prevent premature graying and dandruff. It may also help dry or itchy scalp.

Do studies support the claims?

According to some scientific evidence, rosemary may benefit nerve tissue.

Carnosic acid, an active ingredient in the plant, healed tissue and nerve damage in one study. This ability to heal nerve endings may rejuvenate nerves in the scalp too, in turn possibly restoring hair growth.

More revealing recent studies show that rosemary directly helps protect against hair loss. One 2015 trialTrusted Source pitted the essential oil against minoxidil, commercially known as Rogaine. Both were used on human subjects with androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness).

Results showed that rosemary essential oil was just as effective a minoxidil. During the process, it helped the side effect of itchy scalp more successfully than minoxidil.

Another studyTrusted Source of rosemary leaf extract (different from the essential oil) showed it stimulated hair growth. This occurred when hair loss was triggered by testosterone (as in pattern baldness). This study was performed on mice, however.

Two separate clinical reviews — one from 2010Trusted Source and one from 2011 — also acknowledge rosemary’s hair growth potential. The former cites a study with successful hair regrowth in people with alopecia who used essential oils. One of these essential oils was rosemary.

In the latter review, rosemary essential oil was described as a hair loss restorative. This was due to its circulation-improving effects.

How should I use rosemary oil for hair loss?

​Here are a few ways to try using rosemary essential oil as a hair restorative and thickener. Try any of these treatments one to two times per week to start out. Use them more often when desired or you’ve become comfortable using them.

1. Massage it directly into your scalpAfter mixing about 5 drops of rosemary essential oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil (like jojoba oil or coconut oil), massage evenly into your scalp after bath or shower. Rinsing out the oil afterward is optional — though if you do rinse, let the oil sit on your scalp for at least 5 to 10 minutes beforehand.

2. Mix it into your shampooThis can also apply to conditioners, lotions, or creams. Play it safe and don’t add too much. Keep to about five drops per ounce of product. Afterward, use the product like usual. You can also add 2 to 3 drops directly to any hair product when you apply a dollop of it on your palm before use.

3. Add it to your own homemade shampooThere are many recipes online for a shampoo base. You can also add essential oils for your preferred health and beauty benefits. These may incorporate a mixture of baking soda, coconut oil, essential oil, and possibly other oils. Try this one at Tiny Apothecary.

What should I know before using rosemary oil?

Avoid getting essential oil in your eyes. If contact occurs, quickly rinse your eyes with cold water.

Likewise, be careful not to apply too much to your scalp. Rosemary essential oil has been known to irritate the skin. It may cause discomfort, but no health dangers. To avoid skin irritation, dilute the oil with a carrier oil or other product before applying it.

Not enough is known about the safety of using rosemary essential oils while pregnant or breastfeeding. Though using the essential oil for hair loss is only done topically, be cautious — its effects in this regard are still unknown.

The bottom line

​Rosemary has been used by many to promote hair growth successfully. Using rosemary essential oil could very well do the same for you.

Science and personal experience together both strongly suggest the essential oil does protect against hair loss, particularly that related to male or female pattern baldness. It may even be effective for alopecia.

Rosemary essential oil is a simple remedy that you can use at home, and it may even be competitive with commercial products. What’s more, it’s quite safe when used correctly and yields very few side effects.

3/4/2023

Cooling Caps & Chemo Curls: Managing Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss

Managing Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss
Many survivors see significant hair changes during cancer treatment,
​leaving a difficult reminder when they look in the mirror.
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Chemotherapy-induced alopecia, or hair loss, is a common side effect of many chemotherapy treatments for cancer.
Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells. However, hair follicles also divide rapidly and are therefore affected by the treatment. As a result, hair loss can occur anywhere hair grows –– on the scalp, face and body. Not everyone who receives chemo will experience hair loss, but for those who do, it can be distressing.

​For many people, hair is an important aspect of self-expression and identity, and losing it can be emotionally difficult. As she recalls her experience with chemotherapy for breast cancer, Lauren Thorse remembers that when she was told she would need chemotherapy, “my first thought was that my hair is gonna go.”
​
As someone who reports struggling for years with self-confidence, Thorse, of Naperville, Illinois, found the impending hair loss upsetting. Having always had long blond hair, seeing it fall out in clumps and finding it around the house led her to decide to shave it. With the support of her father, and her mother and sister via FaceTime, her husband shaved her hair off. 

After finally coming to terms with losing her hair, she then had to wrap her head around the fact that “it’s going to take years to get back to where it was.”

Cancer survivor Jessica Gardner of Youngstown, Pennsylvania, also took matters into her own hands when she began losing her hair from chemotherapy. After being diagnosed with breast cancer while 33 weeks pregnant and undergoing a bilateral mastectomy not long after having a cesarean section, she felt that she wanted to have control over something — and that was her hair loss. While livestreaming the shaving of her head, she felt as if she was getting some of her power and control back.

Once their hair was gone, both Thorse and Gardner felt frustrated over the lack of resources that were available to women their age, in their early 30s, with young children. They found that many of the resources were for older women and didn’t quite meet them where they were in life.

Thorse recalls, “I felt like the wigs I was directed to were more for older women.”

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Because Gardner found local support groups difficult to connect with, she created the group Cancer Is a Mother on Facebook. She found that this was a way to do something positive with her cancer diagnosis. “It was something I needed to do personally to feel better about cancer and where I was as a survivor.” 

Hair loss can be gradual or sudden, and it can begin within a few weeks of starting chemotherapy treatment.

Some patients may experience thinning of the hair, whereas others may experience complete baldness. In some cases, hair may only thin or fall out in certain areas, creating patchy hair loss. This is most often temporary, and the hair will grow back once chemotherapy treatment is completed.

However, in rare cases, some patients may experience long-term or permanent hair loss. The risk of either of those is generally low, but it can depend on the type and dose of chemotherapy used. Certain chemotherapies, such as taxanes, are associated with a higher risk of long-term or permanent hair loss.

Now that a full year has gone by since completing chemotherapy, Thorse states that although her hair is growing, she doesn’t look like she used to. “Every now and then I do mourn for myself if I do see a picture. It’s been a year, but I still have a long way to go.”

Chemotherapy isn’t the only cancer treatment that can affect hair. Hormone therapy for cancer treatment can target hormones that help cancer cells grow, such as estrogen and progesterone. It can be used to block the production of these hormones, or block the receptors that respond to them, or lower their levels. This changes the balance of hormones in the body and causes hair thinning. This also causes hair follicles to shrink, leading to thinner, weaker hair.

Lisa Opalweski, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, has experienced hair loss multiple times during her cancer journey. Initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, she notes, “Yes, I knew I was going to lose my hair; yes, I was going to run around bald for a while. I knew it was going to come back.”

After being diagnosed with metastatic cancer in 2019, she has been treated with hormonal therapy and targeted therapy. “I used to have extremely thick, curly hair. Now I have baby thin hair.”

​Wigs and hairpieces can be used as a temporary solution for hair loss. Many cancer centers and support groups have resources for obtaining wigs or hairpieces at little or no cost. However, there are now ways to help manage hair loss through scalp cooling. Cooling the scalp during chemotherapy treatment decreases blood flow to the scalp and reduces the amount of chemotherapy drugs reaching the hair follicles. By reducing the amount of chemotherapy that reaches the hair follicles, patients experience less hair loss. 

According to the results of one study led by Dr. Julie Nangia, a breast oncologist and an assistant professor of medicine at the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center and Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, women receiving chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer were enrolled in a study to evaluate the effectiveness of scalp cooling on hair loss. Of those who underwent scalp cooling, 50.5% had some preservation of their hair after four cycles of chemotherapy. In those who did not use scalp cooling, no one experienced hair preservation.

There are currently a couple of ways to cool the scalp. One way is through the use of cold caps, which uses tight-fitting caps placed on the head to cool the scalp during chemo- therapy infusion. The caps are stored in a special freezer and must be changed throughout the infusion to keep the scalp at a sufficiently cold temperature. In order to successfully use the caps, a patient will need to have help to change the caps at the instructed intervals during treatment.

Another method of scalp cooling is through a device that circulates coolant through the cap to keep the scalp at a consistently cool temperature. The hat is placed once at the beginning of treatment and the coolant will continue to keep the temperature consistent.

According to Dr. Nangia, cooling the scalp starts 30 minutes before chemotherapy and the cap continues to be worn until 30 to 90 minutes after chemotherapy has been completed.

It is also important to practice good hair care with scalp cooling therapy. This can include using a gentle shampoo, avoiding heat styling tools, and being gentle when combing or brushing the hair.

Dr. Nangia notes that the biggest barrier to scalp cooling is the cost. If insurance does not cover the therapy, out-of-pocket costs can be over $2,000. She states that the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which provides guidelines for cancer treatment and supportive care, has added scalp cooling to these guidelines as a method to be considered for those who may experience chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

With this recommendation from the network, Dr. Nangia hopes that insurance companies will start covering the cost of this therapy so more patients can benefit.

The rate of hair regrowth can vary for each patient, but typically hair starts to regrow within a few weeks to a few months after completing chemotherapy treatment. Regrowth may be slow at first, but it should become more rapid over time. It can take several months to a year for hair to fully regrow and regain its previous texture and color. In some cases, hair may not fully regrow or may regrow with a different texture or color.

Chemo curls, also known as “chemo waves,” is a term used to describe the changes in hair texture that some patients experience after chemotherapy. The term refers to the curls, waves or kinks that can develop in the hair as it regrows. This can be caused by the chemotherapy treatment and the changes in the hair structure. It is not exclusive to scalp hair and can occur on hair all over the body. The new hair growth is usually soft and thin at first, and it may take several months for the hair to return to its pre-treatment thickness and texture.

Some people may experience complete regrowth of their hair, whereas others may have patchy or thin hair growth. It also might take one to two years for hair to appear as it was before chemotherapy, and this can vary from person to person. Overall, hair growth after chemo is a gradual process, and it can take time for hair to fully recover.

Many members of the health care team are involved during cancer treatment. However, one area that is often overlooked and underutilized during this time is dermatology.

Dr. Adam Friedman, professor and chair of dermatology at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., knows what dermatologists can offer patients experiencing hair loss during cancer treatment, but they are not often a part of the cancer experience.

He suggests prevention of hair loss through scalp cooling may offer the best results if someone is experi- encing complete hair loss, but there are other options for those with thinning hair that may be helpful. Applying topical minoxidil to the scalp can keep the hair in a constant state of growth. Friedman notes that it must be used consistently for best results and can be difficult to apply.

He cautions against the use of supplements unless they are specifically approved by the health care team. Some supplements, such as biotin, can interfere with some blood tests, and may not
be safe for some patients to use. He also notes that the off-label use of Latisse (bimatoprost) can be helpful for regrowth of eyelashes and eyebrows after chemotherapy.

One of the most important things voiced by cancer survivors is that they want hair loss to be a topic that is brought up and discussed, and not glossed over, during visits. Megan Harman, FNP-C, with SSM Health in Lake St. Louis, understands this. She understands that hair loss can be a harsh reality the patient with cancer has to live with. It can be difficult for patients to fully prepare mentally and emotionally for hair loss until it happens. When talking with patients during this time, she often directs them toward various resources and allows them the time to voice their feelings about their situation.

It is notable that much of the research about alopecia focuses on breast cancer survivors in comparison with other cancer survivors. One reason is that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second most common cancer overall, so a large number of patients undergo chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Additionally, hair loss is a common and highly visible side effect of chemotherapy treatment, and it can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Breast cancer survivors, especially women, tend to be more concerned about hair loss due to chemotherapy as hair loss affects their appearance and self-esteem.
​
Another reason is that breast cancer research has traditionally been well funded, which has allowed for more research to be conducted on the effects of chemotherapy on hair loss in breast cancer survivors. This has resulted in a greater understanding of the mechanisms behind hair loss and the development of new hair loss prevention and treatment methods specifically tailored for patients with breast cancer.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.
from CureToday

8/13/2022

Easy Rosemary Hair Growth Spray

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​I’ve talked a little bit about my postpartum hair issues in this post, but one way that I’ve been counteracting my thinner hair is with a rosemary essential oil hair growth spray.

Rosemary essential oil helps your hair grow faster and can even lead to thicker/fuller hair, so it was a great way for me to support my thinner hair (and help my awkward hair growth areas grow out faster).

​This study showed that rosemary essential oil worked just as well as a leading hair growth drug without some of the side effects that the drug produced in users. I think it’s such a cool finding to be able to go a more natural route (with even better results) than a drug.

​Anyway, here’s the easy recipe for rosemary hair growth spray that I’ve been using in case you want to try it for yourself!

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Supplies:
-10 drops rosemary essential oil
-1/2 teaspoon Solubol or a carrier oil
-4 ounces distilled water
–4 ounces spray bottle (amber bottles like this will keep the essential oil potent longer)
–mini funnel (optional but helpful)

Directions: 
Add 10 drops of rosemary essential oil to a 1/2 teaspoon and fill the rest of the teaspoon with Solubol or a carrier oil.

Pour your oils into your bottle and fill the rest of the bottle to the top with water.

Give your bottle a shake and spray directly into roots and then rub it in with your fingers a bit. It makes my hair look a little wonky when it dries (it kind of gives it that wet look even when dry), so I tend to do it before bed and then fix my hair again the next day.

Spray into hair once a day.



It’s true that it’s a little hard to tell for sure how much this works unless you only did it on half your head and compared it to the half you didn’t do it on.

But, I will say that I have always had trouble growing out my hair and I definitely noticed it growing way faster than usual.

​
​How Long Does It Take to See Results?

This study says that the results were much more visible six months after starting treatments versus three months in, so I would stick with it a bit before giving up if you don’t see a difference right away.

And with any essential oil recipe, stop using it if you notice any adverse reactions.

Hope this simple recipe helps your hair look its best, too! 

from A Beautiful Mess

8/12/2022

Should I Use Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth?

​Topically applied rosemary oil may help support hair growth and prevent hair loss. Applying too much can cause side effects.

Rosemary is a culinary and healing herb. This woody perennial is native to the Mediterranean region, where people have used it in food and traditional medicine for centuries.

You can also buy rosemary as an essential oil. Essential oils are highly concentrated and distilled extracts of volatile plant compounds used for:
  • cooking
  • cleaning
  • health
  • other purposes
Rosemary essential oil is a common variety you can purchase and use as a home remedy. The oil’s health uses range from antioxidant benefits and anti-inflammation to memory enhancement.
​
Keep reading to learn about the evidence supporting rosemary essential oil for hair growth and how to use it safely.
Can rosemary oil treat hair loss?

The idea that rosemary oil encourages hair growth may come from the rosemary’s basic health benefits. Rosemary essential oil contains compounds that may:
  • have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties
  • support wound healing
  • promote nerve growth
  • improve circulation

Research suggests that rosemary essential oil may support hair growth for some people. However, additional research is still needed to support this further and determine in which cases it is and isn’t effective.

An older but often-cited study from 2015 suggests that rosemary essential oil directly helps protect against hair loss. One 2015 trial compared the essential oil and minoxidil (Rogaine).

The researchers divided 100 human participants with androgenic alopecia (also known as male or female pattern baldness) into two groups. They used either rosemary essential oil or minoxidil. The results suggested that rosemary essential oil was as effective as minoxidil. During the process, it helped the side effect of an itchy scalp more successfully than minoxidil.

A 2023 study in mice determined that applying a hair lotion containing 1% rosemary essential oil stimulated hair growth more than minoxidil. The researchers also found that the mice treated with the rosemary lotion also had benefits to hair:
  • quality
  • length
  • weight
  • appearance

​However, additional studies in humans are still needed.
What makes rosemary essential oil support hair growth?

​Rosemary essential oil may support circulation, which may prevent hair follicles from being starved of blood supply, dying off, and leading to hair loss.

Beyond stimulating hair growth, people use rosemary essential oil to prevent premature graying and dandruff. It might also help with dry or itchy scalp, though more research is needed.

According to research, rosemary may benefit nerve tissue by increasing nerve growth factor. This may support hair growth and skin health. This ability to heal nerve endings may also rejuvenate nerves in the scalp, possibly restoring hair growth.

How should I use rosemary oil for hair loss?

You can try using rosemary essential oil as a hair restorative and thickener in a few different ways. To start, you can try any of these treatments once or twice weekly. Use them more often when desired, or you’ve become comfortable with them.

1. Massage it directly into your scalp

Mix about five drops of rosemary essential oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil (like jojoba or coconut oil). Then, massage it evenly into your scalp after a bath or shower. Rinsing out the oil afterward is optional, though if you do rinse, let the oil sit on your scalp for at least 5 to 10 minutes beforehand.

2. Mix it into your hair products

You can add rosemary essential oil to hair products, including:
  • shampoo
  • conditioner
  • hair masks
  • styling products

Keep to about five drops per ounce of product. Afterward, use the product as usual.

3. Add it to homemade shampoo
​

If you make DIY shampoo, you can also add essential oils for your preferred health and beauty benefits. Many recipes incorporate a mixture of baking soda, coconut oil, essential oil, and possibly other oils.
What should I know before using rosemary oil?

Avoid getting essential oil in your eyes. If contact occurs, quickly rinse your eyes with cold water.

Be careful not to apply too much to your scalp. Rosemary essential oil can potentially irritate the skin, which may cause discomfort. Always dilute the oil with a carrier oil or other product to avoid skin irritation before applying it.

Not enough is known about the safety of using rosemary essential oils while pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor before using rosemary essential oil and other essential oils if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply rosemary oil directly to my hair?When applying rosemary essential oil, you must dilute it with a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil. This helps prevent irritation while also adding hydration.

Does rosemary oil help hair growth?

Research suggests that rosemary essential oil may help support hair regrowth. However, the effectiveness may depend on the reason for hair loss.

Is it OK to leave rosemary oil in your hair?You can leave rosemary essential oil in your hair if diluted with a carrier oil or hair product. If you experience irritation, stop using the oil.

How often should I apply rosemary oil for hair growth?If you dilute rosemary essential oil with a carrier oil or another haircare product, you can apply it daily or as needed between washes. Using too much at once may cause irritation.
​
If you apply it along with a carrier oil, you may experience oily hair if you apply it too often between washes.
The bottom line

​Rosemary has been used by many to promote hair growth successfully. Using rosemary essential oil could very well do the same for you.

Research suggests that essential oils may protect against hair loss, particularly when related to male or female pattern baldness. They may also be effective for hair regrowth for people with certain types of alopecia.
​
Rosemary essential oil is a simple remedy that you can use at home. It may even be competitive with commercial products while causing fewer side effects.
from Healthline
You'll want to check out this article, too.

Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial

3/30/2022

Follically Challenged: Digestive Problems & Hair Loss: How IBS & IBD Can Cause Hair Thinning

This section is for the "Follically Challenged".  There are so many conversations and articles on the topic and I want make sure you are getting good information. 

This month's article

Digestive Problems & Hair Loss:
How IBS & IBD Can Cause Hair Thinning
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Hair loss is something a lot of people struggle with and it’s caused by a multitude of factors. Some of the most common are hereditary factors, aging, medication, hormone changes, and diseases like Alopecia areata. One of the less obvious factors involved in hair thinning is the disruption of the digestive process.

Your body needs certain molecules in order to grow hair. So, hair loss can be one of the consequences of any serious digestive problem. Afflictions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can impede digestion. This means that your body might not get the proper nutrients it needs from the food you eat. Not having the necessary nutrients means no building blocks for hair growth.
​
In this article, we will discuss how your gut health can play a role in hair loss, and explore some of the ways you can improve your hair and scalp health. Read on to find out more.
How Can Gut Health Affect Hair Loss?
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Your hair is made out of protein, lipids, water, and some trace elements. But the process of hair growth requires a lot of energy and involves other important elements, such as hormones, minerals, and vitamins. If the body doesn’t have sufficient quantities of any element involved in this complex process of hair growth, then hair loss may become a real threat.

Your body gets all the nutrients it needs in order to function by digesting food. Everything you eat ends up in your digestive tract. Once there, your enzymes and gut bacteria break it down into simple elements that are absorbed and transported for further processing or immediate use. This is why any digestive problems may indirectly lead to hair loss.

How Poor Gut Flora Can Lead to Hair Thinning

Getting the proper nutrients out of food requires having a functioning digestive tract and a healthy gut flora. The bacteria and microbes in your gut are essential for the production of certain elements like amino acids, triglycerides, and vitamins (B1, B9, B7, B2, B5, K). Some imbalances in gut bacteria are also associated with diseases like IBD.

A healthy gut flora represents a true ecosystem with a diversity of over 400 species of microorganisms. Most of these bacteria live in the large intestine, and they play an important role in digestion and the general health of the body, like protecting against harmful microbes. The balance between these types of germs is essential to our health, and any imbalance can lead to problems like colon cancer, and liver fibrosis.

Unhealthy gut flora may cause disruptions in the process of food digestion and absorption. So even if you eat the right things, your body may not be able to extract the molecules it needs. This can, in turn, lead to deficiencies in certain elements the body uses to grow hair. It seems that gut bacteria and hair loss are interconnected. Studies have shown that improving a patient’s gut may stimulate hair growth in patients with Alopecia areata.
​
The Link Between Gut Permeability & Hair Loss
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After being digested, the micronutrients obtained from food have to pass through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. The intestinal wall represents a barrier between the billions of bacteria and the rest of the body. But this barrier has to be permeable to allow nutrients to pass.

A change in diet, gut bacteria, or inflammation in the intestine can alter the permeability of the intestinal wall. While there is no direct relation between gut permeability and hair loss, changes in the intestinal wall disrupt the digestive process and impede the absorption of nutrients. And without the proper nutrients, hair growth is slowed down or stops entirely.

How Malabsorption can Lead to Hair Loss

Nutritional deficiencies can be a consequence of poor diet choices, or they might be a consequence of malabsorption. In certain pathological situations, even if you’re eating healthy food, your body might not be able to break down and absorb the nutrients from the digestive tract.

Malabsorption can be a consequence of certain food type intolerance, local inflammation, bacterial overgrowth, autoimmune diseases of the digestive tract, or parasites. There also appears to be a strong correlation between hair loss and patients who undergo sleeve gastrectomy procedures. This type of intervention may cause malabsorption of micronutrients like zinc and iron, both of which are necessary for hair growth.

In periods of nutrient deficiencies, your body uses all its resources to keep your organs functioning properly. A process like growing hair is not a priority, so your hair might take longer to grow or it can start to thin out.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and Hair Loss

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a chronic medical condition that affects over 7% of the general population. Symptoms like pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation can severely affect life quality for patients and are often associated with the disruption of the digestive process.

There is no primary cause for this disease, but factors such as intestinal infections, parasitosis, alterations in serotonin levels, gut flora imbalances, and psychosocial factors have been associated with IBS. The effects of IBS are often local inflammation, food sensitivity, and carbohydrate malabsorption.

One study has shown that patients with IBS have reported hair loss, hair thinning, and brittle hair as part of the accompanying non-digestive symptoms.

IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and Hair Loss

Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD is a term that includes Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, and other noninfectious inflammations of the bowel. The main factor associated with IBD is an overreaction of the immune system to the normal gut flora.

Symptoms can vary, but most patients report abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fatigue. Hair loss in patients with IBD is associated with nutritional deficiencies and adverse reactions to medication. Recent studies have also uncovered shared risk factors with Alopecia areata and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
​
How to Improve Hair and Scalp Health
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Change Your Diet to Improve Hair Health

You can improve your hair’s health and prevent hair loss caused by nutritional deficiencies by changing your diet. Changing your diet enables you to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to grow hair.

Some of these nutrients are the actual building blocks, such as proteins, and others like zinc and iron are necessary for the chemical reactions taking place inside the cells that synthesize the hair fibers.
​
  • Protein – this is an important nutrient in any diet and you can get it from animal and vegetable food sources. Some healthy sources of protein are meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, whole grains, and legumes like lentils, beans, soybeans, peas, and peanuts.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids – are considered essential fats because the body can’t produce them on its own, which means that you must acquire them from food. They are part of the cell membrane, and your body uses them for proper cell function and the synthesis of important molecules, such as hormones. Fatty acids are also important for skin and hair health. Great sources for Omega 3 fatty acids are fish and other seafood, nuts and seeds, and plant oils (canola oil, soybean oil, flaxseed oil).
  • Vitamin B12 – or cobalamin is an important factor in cell replication. This vitamin can be found in abundant quantities in meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. Unfortunately, people with vegan diets are predisposed to B12 deficiencies.
  • Iron – deficiencies in this mineral are quite common, the main causes being blood loss or insufficient dietary intake. Some important iron sources are red meat, liver, nuts, fortified cereals, dried fruits (apricots), and beans.
  • Zinc – an important mineral involved in many chemical reactions in the body, involved in the functioning of the immune system, and known to support hair growth. Some important zinc sources are oysters and other types of seafood, meat, dairy products, peas, beans, pumpkin seeds, and oatmeal.
  • Glutathione – General hair loss is often associated with low glutathione levels. Supplementing your glutathione consumption can help prevent or treat hair loss.

How Stress Can Lead to Hair Loss

Stress can have severe effects on a person’s health by causing both psychological and biological damage. Stress can damage the autonomic nervous system and affect the immune system. It can also play a role in the pathology of various diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome and cause alterations in the body’s hormone balance. All of these factors may have a negative effect on hair growth.
  • Regular exercise may help protect against the harmful consequences of stress and have positive effects on the circulatory system and metabolism. Studies also show that physical exercise has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.
  • Aromatherapy might also be a great way to manage stress levels. One study has shown that aromatherapy can reduce stress, anxiety, and reduce pain. Its effects will probably be more powerful if paired with sessions of mindful meditation.
  • Having unhealthy sleeping habits can cause insomnia and amplify the effects of stress on the body. Getting enough sleep and having good sleep hygiene are essential practices for stress level management.

Other Methods to Treat Hair Loss
  • Probiotics are made of live yeast or bacteria. You can take probiotic supplements as a way to add good bacteria to your body. Your doctor might recommend probiotic supplements after antibiotic treatments. Studies have shown that there might be a connection between the administration of probiotics and hair growth. One clinical study has shown the improvement of hair counts, hair thickness, and hair growth in patients with androgenic alopecia.
  • Limiting hair product use can be beneficial to your hair health. Most products like shampoos contain a lot of chemicals that can dry out your scalp and hair if used too often.
  • Using brushes and combs on your wet hair can damage hair fibers. When you’re drying your hair with a towel, try to be gentle and use patting motions instead of a vigorous scrub.
  • Avoid pulling out your hair with rough combing or tight hairstyles such as braids, buns, or ponytails. Using very tight hair ties can damage the hair fiber and hair follicles.
  • Try to limit the use of curling irons, straightening irons, hot rollers, or hot oil treatments. High temperatures can be very damaging for the hair fiber, and it may cause irreparable damage to your hair.

Conclusion

Hair loss is a condition that affects both men and women, and often has a huge emotional impact on those who are affected. It can be caused by a multitude of factors, and some of them are related to digestive tract issues. Any disturbance in the digestive system has the potential to cause a deficiency in the nutrients your body needs in order to grow hair.

Hair loss may be prevented with proper care for gut flora health, eating a healthy diet, and managing stress.
​
Most importantly, make sure to consult a medical specialist. Get assessed by a Naturopathic Doctor to find the root cause for your condition with natural medicine solutions.  
from Annex Naturopathic Clinic
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