Lavishly Natural

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Do You Recognize The 7 Early Warning Signs of Hair Loss?

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7 Early Signs

Hello Goddess,

Have you ever experienced hair loss?

Perhaps you may know it by one of it’s sexier names like female-pattern baldness or alopecia. 

If you’ve experienced hair loss of any kind, we’re not alone.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 80 million men and women experience some type of hair loss in the United States alone.

Since 40% of women experience visible hair loss before the age of 40, the emotional effects of this condition can be devastating for a naturalista. 

I have some tested tips that have worked for me and my clients through the years. I’ll fill you in on these and give you the perfect recipe to prevent hair loss and jumpstart hair growth.

YOU’RE. GONNA. LOVE IT.

Trust me.

The 7 Early Warning Signs of Hair Loss

Hair loss can occur for a variety of reasons. Let’s stop it in its tracks. 

Here’s what to look for:

  1. Gradual hair thinning on the scalp, especially at the crown of the head
  2. A receding hairline
  3. Sudden loss of patches of hair
  4. Complete loss of all hair on the body
  5. Patches of broken hairs and incomplete hair loss on the scalp and/or eyebrows
  6. Excessive shedding of hair, but not complete baldness, after pregnancy, various illnesses and drug treatments, rapid weight loss, anemia, or stress
  7. traction alopecia - from hair styles that constantly pull on the scalp (see slideshow for examples)

Hair grows from it’s follicle at an average of 1/2 inch per month. Each hair grows for 2 to 6 years then enters a resting phase. Then it bites the dust…or falls out. No need for tears, a new hair starts to grow in it’s place before it touches the ground. Baldness occurs when the hair falls out and one doesn’t grow back in it’s place.

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Causes of Hair Loss

  • hair breakage — treatments, twisting, pulling hair 
  • skin conditions or diseases that lead to scarring of the hair follicles
  • autoimmune conditions
  • changes in hormone levels (birth control pills, changes to menstrual cycle, pregnancy) 
  • imbalanced hormones — too much or too little thyroid, too much testosterone
  • low in iron (anemic)
  • a b-vitamin deficiency 
  • menopause
  • ringworm of the scalp — common in children 
  • starting, taking, or changing medications
  • patchy hair loss (alopecia areata)
  • temporary hair shedding (after illness, surgery, or pregnancy) 
  • high fever
  • poor nutrition

WebMD says that hair loss can happen as the result of:

  • genes (genetics)
  • aging
  • your medical history

Stress and styles that pull on the hair (tight twists, ponytails, or braids for example) may be the culprit. Hair will usually grow back on it’s own once the cause has been identified and eliminated.

 

5 Ways You Can Start Preventing Hair Loss Now

 

1.  Never Go Without Your Essentials 

Essential fatty acids, minerals, and b-vitamins are the trifecta of edible hair growth vitamins. Essential fatty acids are fats that are not made by the body and must be introduced by other sources.

They are essential for a healthy heart, healthy hair, skin, and my favorite — healthy brain development (at every age). This helps with things like:

  • improving the attention span
  • sharper decision making
  • personality development
  • and strengthening short-term memory

By adding these good fats to your diet you reduce the risk of developing heart disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia. It’s also an excellent supplement used in the treatment of mood disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

In order to get omega-3’s, 6’s, and 9’s in your system (all essential for hair growth) try adding flaxseeds (there is 133% in 2 tablespoons), walnuts (113% in 1/2 cup), leafy vegetables, and more of these healthy oils (safflower, sunflower, flax, and sesame seed oil) to your diet.

Whole flaxseeds can be added to salads for a crunchy kick. If you can’t drink milk like me, milk substitutes are the bomb. Flaxseed milk can be used for cooking, baking, and mixing rhassoul clay…with warm cocoa butter.

Sweet flaxseed milk is my favorite. Here’s how I make it:

 

For the full post see How To Make Sweet Flaxseed Milk

 

2.  Eat Your B-Vitamins (especially Biotin)

B-vitamins rejuvenate hair follicles and help with circulation. They also help your nails grow and your skin glow! Plus they have the added side effect of being natural mood boosters that help you feel more cheerful.

Get your biotin fill with brown rice, peanuts (1/4 cup contains 88%), almonds (1/4 cup contains 49%), and sweet potatoes (1 medium sweet potato contains 29%).

 

3.  Give Your Hair A Mineral Treatment

But not the kind you may be thinking. Get your minerals from ocean vegetables!

Adding ocean vegetables like seaweed, nori (often used to make sushi), and my favorite — wakame, to your meals, boosts your metabolism (so you eat less), helps you feel more relaxed, and gives you energy.

Sea vegetables contain all 56 minerals and trace elements your body needs to thrive. ~ Donna Gates, Author of The Body Ecology Diet

Ocean vegetables:

  • Prevent chronic disease
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Contain powerful antioxidants
  • Encourage regular elimination
  • Alkalize your blood
  • Fight the growth of cancer cells
  • Lower cholesterol
  • Balance thyroid function
  • Detoxify your body from heavy metals
  • Are anti-inflammatory
  • Control the growth of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses (BodyEcology.com)

Ocean vegetables like seaweed, dulse, kelp, nori, and wakame can be found in most grocery stores. For more about these and other mineral packed goodies, read Donna’s post: All About Ocean Vegetables.

 

4.  Get A Check Up (& Rule Out All Other Causes)

Have you had a wellness check lately? How about a physical?

If you think you’re experiencing hair loss, check with your private doctor or a well recommended dermatologist. There may be a medical cause for the kinky curly hair loss. Find a dermatologist in your area by clicking here.

If you’re a dermatologist or know a great one, share your deets in the comments…

 

5.  Make Products Your Hair LOVES

Do you remember the time when I melted the hair on my head with a flat iron. Also known as the heat fiasco of 2011. During that time, my hair couldn’t tolerate being touched much at all. I couldn’t shampoo, use creamy or heavy conditioners, even styling could be too much. 

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I became a master of gentle yet effective all natural recipes that worked. Gradually my hair got stronger and I ‘graduated’ to clays. Do you have any recipes that gave your hair a growth spurt?

Here are a few of mine:

  1. Luscious Hair Tea
  2. Body Glow | The Perfect Green Juice for Hair Growth.
  3. Also check out the Top 5 Essential Oils for Hair Growth. Quick Tip: Pick your favorite essential oil and add 10 to 20 drops to your favorite carrier oil.

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What To Do If You Are Experiencing Hair Loss

Hair loss is usually diagnosed by ruling out other causes.

Seek the help of a professional.

If you have a hair stylist you trust, start with them. I’ve had many customized hair treatments (by the hands of a skilled goddess) that stopped hair loss, shedding, and breakage. Give it a shot — it may be all you need. 

Get a medical opinion.

A doctor will examine the appearance or pattern of hair loss, review your medical history, and probably run blood tests to look for androgen (too much of a male hormone) and other biomedical causes. 

 

Recipe of the Week | Nourishing Hair Oil

This recipe came to me while making homemade sunscreen (recipe coming) years ago. I was looking for oils with a high SPF and tamanu oil was on the list.

This recipe not only stimulates hair growth and circulation to the scalp, it also protects them from sun damage. Really important for all of the fun in the sun you’re gonna have this summer!

The best part…it only has 5 ingredients.

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Ingredient Benefits

Tamanu oil — heals damaged skin, excellent to quickly heal burns, bites, and stings; gets rid of acne and pimples quickly; an anti-inflammatory and anti-aging powerhouse with an SPF of 20.

Castor oil — great for hair thickening and growth, this oil is antiviral, anti fungal, and antibacterial. Did you know castor oil can slow the growth of tumors and stimulate your immune system?

Jojoba oil — a natural scalp cleanser, it helps regrow hair after hair loss; its a natural emollient “which soothes skin and unclogs hair follicles.” Jojoba oil is actually a wax that has a shelf life of 5 years. 

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil — a natural hair tonic that balances oil production in all skin types; increases your ability to focus, and reduces depression, insomnia, fear, frustration and anger — for less than $10 a bottle. It’s not better than talk therapy but…

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Rosemary Essential Oil — improves circulation, prevents dandruff and hair loss, strengthens your  memory, boosts confidence, and expands feelings of creativity. This Super Essential prevents dizziness, nightmares, and helps your remember good dreams.  

Use this oil for hair and body care, during scalp massage, and as a wonderful addition to your diy recipes.

 

Resources, Links & Recipes

 

 

 

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