How Does Biotin Work?

Biotin helps with the production of fatty acids, as well as a major factor in cell growth.  With that in mind, the cells that are needed for hair growth in hair follicles are dependent upon receiving good nutrition and a high dose of fatty acids.  Biotin plays a significant role in encouraging your hair cells to grow healthily, as well as keeping the hair on your head looking full and healthy.  In short, it can be a major factor for the prevention of hair loss.

Where to Find Biotin

Biotin is found in many foods, and it can also be taken as a supplement.  High quantities of Biotin can be found in foods like egg yolk and liver.  Also, Biotin is found in foods such as peas, soybeans, oats, brewer’s yeast, walnuts, sunflower seeds, brown rice, avocados, herring, and mackerel.

Although there are plenty of foods containing Biotin, one would have to consume thousands of calories at a sitting and have a diet strictly of foods containing Biotin to get the recommended daily allowance.  Biotin supplements are recommended to get the RDA of about 300 mcg.

People who have a Biotin deficiency may see hair loss as a symptom.  Typical victims of Biotin deficiencies are those who are heavy drinkers, women who take oral contraception, those who take sleeping pills, and those who are taking antibiotics.

Taken Orally vs. Used Topically

Biotin can be found in topical hair treatments such as shampoos.  However, the body does absorb Biotin well through the skin and should be taken orally in foods and as a supplement.  It is thought to be a great supplement to take along with the hair loss treatments of Rogaine or Propecia.

Getting enough vitamins in your diet can be hard enough.  However, if you suffer from the beginning stages of hair loss, consider increasing your Biotin intake to help keep your hair follicles healthy and your hair growing.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe bera is a safe and natural solution to helping hair follicles stay healthy.  Aloe vera contains an enzyme that helps promote hair growth in hair follicles.  You can buy aloe vera gel to apply directly to the scalp.  There are also shampoos and conditioners available that contain aloe vera.

2. Garlic

Garlic can help you retain your head of hair.  Not just taken internally, garlic can be applied externally as well.  It may be a smelly alternative to preventing hair loss, but the antioxidant compounds in garlic have been found to prevent further hair loss.

You can simply slice or press a clove of garlic and apply it directly to the thinning areas on your scalp.  Another method that some people use is to mix it with honey and aloe vera.  For this treatment, it is best to apply at night and wash thoroughly in the morning.

3. Olive Oil

Olive oil is also a common household hair loss remedy.  Some people lose their hair not because of hormonal changes or genetics, but due to preventable causes.  Dirt and natural body oils can get clogged in skin pores and affect the production of hair in the follicles.  Dab and apply olive oil to the scalp and massage it in.  Let it sit overnight to help “degrease” your scalp.  Then wash it thoroughly in the morning.

4. Green Tea

Green tea is not only a great way to relax at home, but it can help prevent hair loss and even possibly help re-grow hair.  Catechins in green tea are thought to help aid the cardiovascular system.  Translated, it helps improve blood flow to hair follicles with receive needed nutrients to keep growing healthy and strong.

If you find more hair in your brush each morning, start looking around your own home to begin a hair loss treatment program.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a known degreaser.  Hair follicles can lose hair when they become clogged with dirt and other naturally-produced body oils.  Rub a little olive oil on the parts of your scalp that is showing signs of thinning before going to bed each night.  Be sure to wash and rinse in the morning.

Saw Palmetto Extract

Saw Palmetto extract is taken from the small fruits grown from the small palm tree known as the Serenoa.  Saw Palmetto extract is high in fatty acids and is helpful with DHT inhibition.  DHT is the converted testosterone hormone known to cause hair loss in both men and women.

Green Tea

The ingredients in green tea are also known to be DHT inhibitors.  Plus, green tea also contains catechins, which are believed to help promote healthy hair growth as well.

Nettle Root Extract

Nettle Root is also an effective DHT blocker.  Though the nettle plant is known to be an irritant if contacted with skin, the root is commonly extracted and sold as an oral supplement.

Gingko Bilboa

Gingko Bilboa is found in many types of herbal supplements that has many health benefits.  One of those benefits is the improved circulation to the skin which can help hair follicles stay healthy and active.  With the improved blood circulation properties contained in Gingko Bilboa, it is also believed to be a good product for re-growth of hair.

Algae Extract

Another type of supplement easily found in health stores is algae extract.  Algae is  known to contain important amino acids, vitamins, and minerals all essential for the production of hair.

Hair treatment doesn’t need to break the bank.  If you are showing early signs of hair loss, try these thrifty treatments and save your hair, as well as your pocketbook.

Styles to Avoid

The clichéd comb-over is obsolete.  This style has been around for hundreds of years.  Even the American colonial hero, Benjamin Franklin, used the comb-over.  Although it may have been fashionable in 1776, the comb-over is no longer regarded as a style in the 21^st century.

Men even went so far as to wear wigs in the 17^th and 18^th centuries.  Perhaps it was a way to hide baldness and hair thinning?  Nevertheless, men today also use wigs, known as hairpieces or toupees.  However, toupees are not natural-looking and are difficult to maintain.  If you are showing the signs of MPB, avoid the temptation to grab a hairpiece.

Growing your hair long in the back may have been chic for rock stars like Phil Collins in the 1980s, but today it is just not hip.  In fact, it has a tendency to draw attention to the bald areas on top.

Good Hair Style Tips

You can use hair product in your existing hair to help give it a fluffier, fuller look.  Avoid gels, which tend to weigh down hair.  Instead, opt for volume-building mousse and hair conditioners.  Your hair length should be at least 1 or 2 inches to get the volume needed to hide the appearance of MPB.

Another hair style was made popular by David Schwimmer who played the character Ross Geller in the television sitcom, Friends.  The style is to keep hair at about an inch or less and comb it forward toward the face.  This may be helpful in hiding thinning on top of the head.

Of course, one of the most popular hairstyles in the 21^st century for men with MPB is no hair.  The clean, shaved look has become very handsome for men with all head shapes.  Don’t be afraid to simply shave it all and show your natural head!

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Water is essential for the body.  It is also essential for hair follicles to receive nutrients from blood flow.  Most people do not drink enough water.  Try increasing your water intake.  Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses every day, which is the same as three liter size water bottles.

2. Take Vitamins Supplements

Vitamins are important for hair production, and vitamin B is especially pertinent for hair growth.  In addition, vitamin E is recommended because it is an antioxidant and helps with the blood flow to hair follicles.

3. Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating healthy cannot be stressed enough.  If you want your hair to look healthy and continue growing fuller, be sure to eat well.  Your diet should have plenty of protein and iron.  These elements are needed for the production of hair.

4. Scalp Massages

Don’t underestimate the value of scalp massages.  They not only feel great, but they also stimulate blood flow to the scalp.  Many have claimed that scalp massages are only a myth to stimulating hair growth.  However, until this myth is proven wrong scientifically, it certainly is worth the effort.

Scalp massages can be given by yourself or by a loved one.  You can also brush your hair gently for about 5 or 10 minutes.

5. Trim Hair

Trimming your hair can also stimulate further growth.  You should consider a trim every four to eight weeks.  Trimming may not only help stimulate growth, but it eliminates split ends and also helps your hair look fuller.

Faster hair growth may not be everyone’s desire.  However, for those with thinning or fine hair, a faster production can certainly help keep hair looking fuller.  Try these tips and see which ones may work for you.

Why Menopause Can Trigger Hair Loss

Hair loss is known to be a result of a number of causes, including stress and hormonal effects.  Since menopause involves major hormonal changes and can be stressful for women, the changes can result in the hair follicles shrinking, causing hair to fall out.

A woman’s body, when younger, has a normal balance of both estrogen and testosterone.  Normal hair growth depends on the estrogen levels to remain healthy.  However, during menopause, estrogen levels tend to drop dramatically.  In addition, during menopause, the male hormone, testosterone, increases and has a tendency to convert to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the hormone known to cause shrinkage of hair follicles, ultimately resulting in hair loss.

DHT inhibits hair follicles from receiving much-needed nutrients.  When the hair follicles are cut off, they stop producing the amino acids and kerotin that are the building blocks of hair.  The hair follicles also begin shrinking, which causes the existing hair to fall out.

How to Keep Your Hair during Menopause

What do you do when you first begin menopause and notice the first signs of hair loss?  Many women going through menopause choose hormonal replacement therapy (HRT).  HRT can help regulate the hormonal levels in women during menopause, but can have serious side effects.  HRT can increase the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, blood clots, and even stroke.  If you choose to undergo HRT, do it with a doctor’s supervision, and re-evaluate the benefits vs. effects at least every 6 months.

The best thing women can do is improve their diet and take natural supplements such as Saw Palmetto extract.  Saw Palmetto is found in products such as Provillus.  Dietary considerations should be an increase in consumption of soy products, potatoes, wheat, rice, and apples.

Menopause doesn’t have to be the end of your naturally beautiful hair.  Be wary of any changes in your hair, and start taking measures to prevent hair loss right away when menopause begins for you.

The History of Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto has existed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.  It has been known to be used by both North and South American Indians, as well as Aborigines.  Uses were wide and varied and included appetite stimulation, illness treatment, painful menstruation, and even as a treatment for infertility.

In fact, the Saw Palmetto fruit was so highly regarded that it was included in the publication of the King’s American Dispensatory in 1854.  Even then, Saw Palmetto was advocated for the use of treating coughs and laryngitis, improve digestion, and to reduce hypertrophy in the prostate.

The Link between Saw Palmetto and Your Hairline

How does all this translate into stopping hair loss?  It appears that the Saw Palmetto fruit contains an agent that works against the male hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the known hormone that is involved with pattern baldness.

DHT is converted from testosterone and weakens and shrinks the hair follicles, causing hair to fall out.  However, an agent that can block DHT production can prevent shrinkage and keep hair growing full.  Saw Palmetto has been found to be an effective DHT blocker.

Saw Palmetto has been found to work similarly to topical treatments, such as Rogaine which contains minoxidil, and oral finasteride treatments such as Propecia.  These treatments inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT.  However, these treatments also have been known to have undesirable side effects, such as faster heart rate, headaches, impotence, and decreased libido.

In contrast, side effects for Saw Palmetto are minimal and are mainly gastrointestinal.  These effects can be minimized by eating food along with the Saw Palmetto extract.

However, Saw Palmetto contains a chemical that is similar to cholesterol.  Previous sufferers of heart attacks and those with heart disease are not recommended to take the Saw Palmetto extract.

If you suffer from male pattern baldness, consider the Saw Palmetto fruit extract as a possible treatment.  It is prominently grown in the United States, but is available in other countries as well.

Clean Your Hair and Scalp Regularly

Dirt and grime in your hair and on your scalp can clog your hair follicles.  Make sure you keep a regular routine to cleanse your hair at least 3 to 4 times a week.  However, be careful of over-washing.  Too much washing can diminish the natural oils that help keep your scalp healthy.

Brushing and Scalp Massage

Massaging the scalp helps improve the blood flow and circulation around your hair follicles.  With better blood circulation, the follicles receive more vital nutrients that keep them working at optimal levels.

You can help massage your scalp by gently brushing your hair as well.  Avoid pulling or tugging.  Constant and unnecessary tugging could damage the roots and kill hair follicles, which results in hair loss.

Reduce Stress

Your stress levels can affect the health of your hair follicles.  Research has proven that people with high stress levels have a higher chance of thinning hair and even baldness.  Depression can also be a cause of hair loss.

Although stress is unavoidable, work on how you cope with it.  Worrying doesn’t solve problems.  Instead, work on solutions and solving problems rather than dwelling on them.  Enjoy relaxing activities such as yoga or aerobics.  Your stress reduction could save your hair.

Use Hair Loss Treatments

Off the shelf hair loss treatments can work for you.  You might even ask your doctor for a prescription hair loss treatment.  Don’t be afraid to try proven hair products reviewed on this site that can help reduce your hair loss and even start re-growing hair from dead hair follicles.

Stop hiding from hair loss.  Start practicing the right habits and reduce your stress.  The efforts you take can help you keep a lasting quaff for years to come.

However, there are people who suffer hair loss due to poor behaviors – poor eating habits, bad hair treatment practices, and even birth control pills can cause unneeded and unwanted hair loss.  So what can you do?

First, you should recognize if one or more of your behaviors are the cause of hair loss.  The second and most important thing you can do is change your behavior.  Here are some tips:

• Change your diet – Did you know poor nutrition can cause hair loss?  If you are not eating the right foods, you may be suffering from deficiency in vitamins, iron, and/or protein which can ultimately cause hair follicles to wither.  Start by changing your diet to eat more balanced meals.  Consume foods that are high in protein.  Take vitamin supplements if necessary, particularly vitamin B-12.  In addition, you should increase your fatty omega-3 acids found in fish, nuts and soy.

• Change your hair treatment – Constant chemical treatment and traumatic hair use is also a cause of hair loss.  Start by giving your hair a break from constant coloring or permanents.  Reduce the amount of stress on your hair from curlers, rollers, and other heating elements.  Soon you may find that proper and less traumatic hair treatment will stop hair from falling out, and old lost hair will begin growing again.

• Change your birth control prescription – If you are a woman suffering from unexpected hair loss, your birth control prescription could be the cause.  Certain hormones are known to cause hair thinning.  If you suspect that your hair loss is attributed to your birth control prescription, talk to your doctor about the problem and ask for a different prescription.

Those who suffer from controllable causes of hair loss are at an advantage.  They can change their behaviors and experience hair regrowth.  If you are one of these types of sufferers, learn to alter your habits so you can confidently display your healthy hair.