Hair Loss : An Allopathy and Ayurvedic perspective - Causes and treatment

Introduction

Hair loss per se isn't a disease, but a benign condition, where, there is a loss of hair from the scalp. Ideally, a person loses somewhere between 50-100 hair strands per day as a part of a normal hair growth cycle. When the hair cycle gets disrupted, the hair falls out without a new hair growing in its place.

Let us understand the Hair loss from the view point of Allopathy as well as Ayurveda.

An Allopathic perspective

Male Pattern Baldness/Androgenic alopecia is a condition, where, there is a loss of hair in the crown area and in the frontal part of the head. The Hair loss typically recedes in the form of an "M" shape.

The hair loss occurs due to the hormonal changes known as DHT. The 5 Alpha reductase enzyme converts the testosterone into a more potent androgen called DHT.

Hair growth involves 3 cycles, i.e., anagen, catagen and telogen.

• Anagen : This is the growth phase of a hair follicle, whereby, new follicles are produced.
• Catagen : This is the transition phase between Anagen and Telogen. It indicates the end of the active growth of the hair.
• Telogen : This is the resting phase, where, the follicles remain on the scalp until a new follicle pushes the telogen hair.

As DHT starts building up in the scalp, the Hair cycle process gets hindered, thereby, pushing more follicles into telogen phase from the anagen phase i.e the hair falls out without a new anagen hair.

(Read : Ayurvedic remedies for male pattern baldness )

The DHT starts building up in the scalp, thereby hindering the natural growth cycle of the hair.

It is pertinent to note that not all with increased DHT lose their hairs but, the people, whose hair follicles are sensitive to DHT are more prone to lose their hairs.

Line of Treatment:

Currently there are only two drugs approved by FDA for treating Male Pattern Baldness : Finasteride and Minoxidil. Minoxidil is used topically, while, finasteride is prescribed for topical as well as for oral use, which varies from case to case basis.

It is not clear as to how long they should be used. It is believed that the cosmetic effect derived from its use is temporary and that the hair loss returns after stopping the application of the aforesaid drugs.

(Read : Hair care the Ayurvedic way )

Side effects : 

Usage of minoxidil also results in dizziness, swelling of face, flaky scalp etc,. while the side effects associated with the use of finasteride is Erectile Dysfunction and diminished libido. The side effects are temporary in nature.

Ayurvedic Perspective

Ayurveda considers hair to be a byproduct of Asti Dhatu in sanskrit which means bone tissue. A weak bone tissue will result in a weaker hair and nails.

Hair loss as per Ayurveda is believed to be primarily because of the increase in pitta dosha i.e., the fire element, which governs the process of digestion.

As pitta accumulates in the scalp, it causes overheating of the hair follicles, which results in the destruction of the hair follicles, thereby, the hair ceases to grow. A person with pitta dominance has thin hairs which are of slightly brownish tint.

Line of treatment :

Ayurveda provides a holistic approach of the issue which range from balancing the pitta dosha to strengthening the bone tissue in case of hair loss.

Nourishment of bone tissues : As the bone tissue is responsible for hair growth, ayurvedic calcium supplements are given to nourish the bone tissue to strengthen hairs and sustain hair growth.

Nasya : Instilling of medicated oils into the nose. The instillation of these oils clears the obstruction in the blood channels and increases circulation in the head region.

Shirodhara : A continuous pouring of medicated oils on the head. Shiro means head, dhara means flow. It has a calming effect. It releases stress from the head and enhances circulation.

(Read : Home remedies for dandruff )

Shirolepa : Shiro as mentioned above means head, lepa means an application. Application of herbs having hair growth properties like amla, bhringraj, brahmi etc are prepared in the form of a paste and applied to the scalp and hair.

Shiro taila abhyanjana : Application of oils on the scalp to facilitate and sustain hair growth.

Chyawanprash : It is considered as a rasayana, meaning rejuvenative. It nourishes all the tissues and brings about a balance in the body.

Pacifying Pitta : Diet is suggested to pacify pitta. In case, if the pitta dosha doesn't get balanced, oral medicines are suggested.

Vamana therapy : If the pitta dosha is extremely imbalanced, then, vamana therapy is carried out, whereby, a controlled purgation is induced by use of certain laxatives, doing so will expel the pitta dosha from the intestines.

Iron supplements : Saptamrut loha, an ayurvedic iron supplement is given in case the hair fall is due to iron deficiency.

Herbs that help in Hair Growth

1. Bhringaraj (Eclipta Alba)

2. Amla (Emblica Officinalis)

3. Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

4. Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri)

5. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

6. Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi)
7. Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus)

8. Amar bel (Cuscuta Reflexa)

9. Indrayan Phal (Citrullus Colocynthis)

.