Approaches to Hair Treatment and Care

Dec 12, 2023
3 min read

Hair loss prevention and hair regrowth can be achieved naturally.

None of us enjoy seeing hair strands fall out onto the brush, experiencing hair fluttering around, or worse, dealing with central scalp baldness. Most individuals seek solutions and resort to various treatments to prevent hair loss and encourage regrowth.

Firstly, it's essential to consider that our daily hair endures several environmental factors, such as air pollution, sun exposure, wind, and notably, water. In Israel's water, fluoride is present, causing significant damage not just to the skin but also to the hair. Fluoride induces a decline in the thyroid gland's function, impacting the quality of our hair. While avoiding water usage is impossible, it's advisable to install a fluoride filtration system before the water exits the faucet.

Another significant factor affecting hair quality is the presence of sulfates in daily-used hair products. The hair structure is predominantly composed of proteins (close to 91%). Sulfates in shampoos lead to the disruption of protein connections, resulting in hair loss, dryness, and decreased hair strength.

Regarding medications aimed at preventing hair loss and promoting regrowth, it's crucial to understand their mechanisms within our bodies. These medications block the enzyme - 5-alpha reductase, responsible for converting testosterone to DHT. When these drugs hinder the enzyme's action, an excess of DHT is produced, negatively impacting hair follicle function and causing both hair loss and difficulty in new hair growth.

However, chemical substances like these have natural alternatives that work similarly without side effects. Examples include onion juice or green tea extract applied to the scalp for approximately half an hour before rinsing with water. Rosemary extract can also be used to prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT.

During menstruation, women often report increased hair loss due to elevated estrogen levels. To balance this spike in estrogen, women are advised to consume seaweed for two main reasons: it can regulate estrogen levels in the body and contains iodine, supporting estrogen balance.

Menopausal periods among women also lead to hair loss due to increased cortisol levels. This increase affects the body's metabolism of iron, essential for hair growth and melanin production, responsible for hair color. Hair follicles require iron for proper function and hair growth. Additionally, melanin is responsible for hair color, so reduced iron intake results in graying hair.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is another common cause of hair loss among women aged 15-45. High insulin levels due to improper nutrition, mainly increased carbohydrate intake, affect female sex hormones and lead to increased male hormones, likely causing PCOS-related hair loss.

Proper thyroid gland function directly influences hair growth and follicles. Selenium levels in the blood are essential for this function. Selenium aids in converting T4 to T3, the active thyroid hormone responsible for hair growth and prevention of hair loss.

Digestive system issues, such as an increase in Helicobacter pylori bacteria, can cause thyroid gland dysfunction and subsequent hair loss. Strengthening the gut's probiotic activity through homemade pickles can mitigate hair loss caused by antibiotic use, which disrupts the balance between beneficial and pathogenic gut bacteria.