From the view of Ayurveda, we can understand that good and healthy hair is not merely indicating the healthiness of hair instead it gives an idea about proper tissue metabolism happening in our body especially bone tissue. Because Kesa (hairs), Loma (nails) are the outcome of Asthi Dhatu Paka (bone tissue metabolism).

 

Dhatus / Tissues	Malas / Outcome of tissue metabolism
Rasa / Plasma	Kapha
Rakta / Blood	Pitta
Mamsa / Muscle	Khamala / Excreta from ear, eyes, mouth, nose and roots of hair
Meda / Fat	Sweda / Wweat
Asthi / Bone	Kesa / Hair, Loma / Nail
Majja / Bone marrow	Snehamsa of akshi, Vit, Twacha / Oily substance in the eyes, Skin and Face

Once in a life every individual will go through hair fall, reasons are unlimited but we do experience sometime in our life and loosing hair is the  worst and stressful than any other health issue. The other face of hair fall is acknowledging it to one’s self. Yes! you read it right, most of us will be losing hair for years together but it is very difficult to accept that we are losing hair instead we try changing many shampoo, hair oil etc, but we do not accept something is wrong but we will be left with no choice but to accept when our scalp starts slightly visible. So, we should know few facts and myths about hair fall, which would help us to save our hair before it is too late.

Facts	Myths
Losing hair every day 30-50 strands is normal	Losing 100 strands / day is normal
Oiling will take care of scalp dryness	Oiling will grow more hair
Post 40-45 years hair thinning is normal	Only hereditary people will go bald
Hair at the skin surface is dead cells	Using keratin / protein shampoo will increase growth

Primarily you should know that hair what you see above the scalp are not the living cells, so what are those hair follicle which anchors each hair into the skin? The hair bulb forms the base of the hair follicle. In the hair bulb, living cells divide and grow to build the hair shaft. Blood vessels nourish the cells in the hair bulb and deliver hormones that modify hair growth and structure at different times of life.

Hair also has a life cycle, like it sheds and grows on, an average good growth can be 0.5-1 inch in 30 days. We should also be aware that hair is made up of a protein called Keratin, yes, the same protein which makes the horn of rhinos.

What causes hair fall?

Hair fall can be a symptom of a disease like Hypothyroidism, PCOS, Dermatitis, Autoimmune disorder, HIV, Cancer conditions, etc. Hair fall itself can be a disease in a healthy person but that will also have reasons like some protein deficiency, metabolic issues, stress, family hereditary of early baldness, etc. So we should be careful at understanding the cause so that it can be treated on time. As hair is a degenerative cell, it starts dying as we start aging so the more you delay more the irreversible loss.

Presently available treatments and its side effects

The severity and chronicity of hair fall rate and growth rate of an individual depends on age consideration as well. Let’s look at a few common lines of treatment available and their side effects.

Minoxidil – Topical application may cause few side effects severe scalp irritation, unwanted growth of facial hair; chest pain, fast heartbeats, swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain some time, a light-headed feeling, headache or dizziness.

Finasteride – Few side effects on long term use are impotence, loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, abnormal ejaculation, swelling in your hands or feet, swelling, or tenderness in your breasts.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment – any therapy that involves injections always carries a risk of side effects and is not limited to injury to blood vessels or nerves, infection, calcification at the injection points, and scar tissues.

Hair transplant surgery.