Tackling sudden hair loss can be tricky, but it's not impossible. Especially when genetic factors cause hair loss, it is important to opt for the correct hereditary hair loss treatment options.
Stress management techniques, scalp massages, regular application of hair oils, consuming a diet rich in certain nutrients, and adding supplements to your daily routine are some ways to stop genetic hair loss naturally. We have discussed these in more detail in the sections below.
Did you know:
- Androgenetic alopecia is the medical term for genetic hair loss. This type of hair loss affects 50% of the global population, including both men and women. 1
- Among these, male androgenetic alopecia, commonly called male pattern baldness, affects almost 8 out of 10 men by the time they reach the age of 80. 2
- Similarly, in the USA (The United States of America), approximately 30 million women have female androgenetic alopecia, that is, female pattern baldness. 3
A high amount of dihydrotestosterone (or DHT) is the primary cause of androgenetic alopecia. Hence, if you are experiencing severe hair loss, you can take a dihydrotestosterone test to evaluate your body's levels of DHT.
Is Hair Loss Genetic?
Even though not always, hair loss is genetic in at least 50% of cases.
As mentioned above, hereditary hair loss is commonly called female and male pattern baldness. It is the most common type of genetic baldness, affecting men and women equally.
The worst part about genetic baldness is that it is non-preventable. However, although it is not possible to completely get rid of hereditary hair loss, there are many ways to stop genetic hair loss naturally up to a certain extent. 4
What Is Genetic Hair Loss?
Genetic hair loss is not a disease. It is just a naturally occurring condition that results in hereditary hair loss (or genetic baldness), which can be due to a combination of causes such as—
- Fluctuations or imbalances in your hormone levels
- As a result of ageing
- Your genes
This type of hair loss usually starts in your 20s and eventually increases with age, leading to male or female pattern baldness. Women are most likely to observe noticeable changes in the form of significant hair fall after menopause. 5
How Does Genetic Hair Loss Differ from Other Types of Hair Loss?
Severe hair loss is not always genetic. While androgenetic alopecia is a type of hereditary hair loss, there are other types as well.
These include—
- Involutional alopecia: It is the most natural form of hair loss as it occurs as a result of ageing. As you age, your hair starts thinning.
- Alopecia areata: Sudden hair loss in young adults and children. This type of hair loss is reversible 90% of the time, and the hairs start regressing as before.
- Alopecia Universalis: The loss of body hair from parts like your eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair.
- Trichotillomania: This is a type of psychological disorder in which a person starts pulling out their own hair.
- Telogen effluvium: Temporary hair thinning that happens due to changes in your hair growth cycle.
- Scarring alopecia: Permanent hair loss caused by your body parts becoming incapable of regenerating the lost hair.
- Traction alopecia: Traction alopecia is a negative effect of bad hair care methods, including tight hairstyles and using heat on hair.
- Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: More common in black women, this type of hair loss results in a bald patch right in the centre of a woman's scalp. This patch grows over time.
Genetic Hair Loss Vs. Other Hair Loss Types
What makes genetic hair loss different from the above-mentioned types is the fact that in hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), a person usually starts losing hair from the front part of the scalp. This hair loss gradually moves from the front to the back of the scalp, making an easily distinguishable pattern. Hence, it is named as pattern baldness. 6
Genetic Hair Loss Symptoms
Although the condition's effect is the same for both, genetic hair loss symptoms can vary among males and females.
Likewise, the genetic hair loss symptoms for women include—
- Losing hair from the centre part of your scalp
- Hair thinning from the sides of the front part of the scalp
- Gradual hair loss from the crown (top of the head) 7
The genetic hair loss symptoms in men include—
- Receding hairline
- Bald spots on the scalp
Can Genetic Hair Loss Be Stopped?
Yes, although not permanently, genetic hair loss can be stopped using appropriate hereditary hair loss treatment methods. However, it is important to note that you must consistently apply the treatment methods to get the best and most long-lasting results.
At the same time, in some conditions, such as cases of scarring on the scalp, hair loss might not be reversible. 8
Hereditary Hair Loss Treatment: 9 Expert-Proven Ways to Combat Genetic Hair Loss Naturally
If you're wondering, 'Can genetic hair loss be stopped naturally? Then, there are a few things that you must know about hereditary hair loss treatment.
First, there are many home remedies that can help you to tackle genetic hair loss symptoms. Second, there is no such thing as 'One size fits all', meaning you should try different ways to determine what works best for you. And last, you have to be consistent in your efforts to get the right results.
Hence, below, we have described 9 expert-proven ways to stop genetic hair loss naturally.
1. Minimise Stress
Regardless of the type of hair loss, stress is one of the most common causes of hair fall. In hereditary hair loss, while stress may not be the primary reason for hair fall, it can surely worsen the genetic hair loss symptoms.
That is why minimising stress is at the top of our list of the 9 best ways to stop genetic hair loss naturally.
So, here are some stress management techniques that can help—
- Getting enough sleep
- Practising a hobby
- Doing meditation
- Spending time in nature
- Being a part of a community and being socially active
- Spending more time with your family and close ones 9
2. Have A Hair Healthy Diet
When looking for how to stop hair loss naturally, changing your diet to fit your hair needs is another helpful home remedy.
Hence, a healthy and balanced diet rich in protein and iron can help you stop genetic hair loss naturally and encourage hair regrowth.
2.1. Protein-Rich Diet
Protein deficiency is a diet-related cause of hair loss. The amount of protein a person's body needs depends on their physical activity level as well as their muscle mass.
Some good sources of protein that can help prevent genetic baldness include—
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Beans
- Lean meats
- Fish
- Seeds
2.2. Iron-Rich Diet
Iron is another nutrient that you need to stop genetic hair loss naturally. Your body needs enough iron for healthy hair growth.
So, some iron-rich foods that are great for minimising the chances of genetic baldness include the following—
- Lentils
- Pumpkin seeds
- Spinach
- White beans or black-eyed peas
- Lean mutton
- Turkey
- Clams
- Oysters
Apart from these, you can also opt for packaged iron-fortified foods. These foods contain added iron, which your body can use to treat iron deficiency.
For vegetarians, the body's requirement for iron is almost two times higher than that of non-vegetarians. This is because your body cannot completely absorb iron from non-animal sources. 10
Additionally, there can be certain other nutrient deficiencies that can also potentially cause genetic baldness. You can book a blood test at home to learn more about these.
3. Stop Smoking
Tobacco smoking damages your hair follicles and ultimately results in hair loss. Thus, if not stopped or at least reduced in a timely manner, it can be one of the causes of genetic baldness.
A study was conducted on 1000 men (500 smokers and 500 non-smokers) aged between 20 and 35. The degree of hair loss in smokers was way higher than that of non-smokers. Hence, people who smoke tobacco are at a much higher risk of genetic hair loss compared to those who don't.
That is why it is essential to stop smoking to prevent genetic baldness. 11
4. Try Essential Oils
There is some evidence that essential oils, especially rosemary oil and Geranium oil, might help prevent genetic hair loss because of the following properties—
- They stimulate new hair follicles' growth
- They boost blood circulation across your scalp
In fact, a 2015 study proved that rosemary oil has the same effect on hair growth as minoxidil (a medicine used in hereditary hair loss treatment).
Hence, to stop genetic hair loss naturally, you can mix a few drops of these essential oils into a carrier oil like coconut oil and then massage it directly into your scalp. 12
5. Coconut Oil
One home remedy that has been used for centuries to stop genetic hair loss naturally, especially in India, is the application of coconut oil on hair.
Coconut oil has many benefits—
- It contains fatty acids that have the potential to penetrate deep into the hair shaft.
- It minimises the loss of protein from your hair
- It is antimicrobial. So, it can also be used to treat dandruff.
As mentioned above, protein and fatty acids play a crucial role in preventing genetic baldness.
There are 2 ways to use coconut oil for hereditary hair loss treatment—
- For an oily scalp, apply a coconut oil hair mask either overnight or a few hours before your hair wash.
- For a dry scalp, you can apply coconut oil after washing it and leave it on your hair.
6. Add Regular Scalp Massages to Your Routine
Massaging your scalp regularly is a great step to eliminate the risk of genetic baldness. This is because regular scalp massages offer a lot of benefits. Some of these include—
- Stimulating the scalp for better hair regrowth
- Increasing hair thickness
- Relieving stress
Here are some examples of products that you can use to stop genetic hair loss naturally by doing regular massages—
- A mixture of essential oil and a carrier oil
- Normal hair oil (For example, Coconut oil, Almond oil, etc.)
- Hair masks such as those made with eggs, aloe, vera gel, etc
7. Viviscal - A Natural Anti-Hair Loss Supplement
Natural supplements can be a good addition to your diet to prevent hereditary hair loss and that's why you would want to know which vitamin is good for hair fall control.
Viviscal is one such example of a natural supplement that encourages hair growth in people facing the problem of thinning hair. This is because it contains a combination of essential nutrients and other important elements for strengthening hair and regenerating it. These include—
- Biotin
- Zinc
- Vitamin C (derived from amla)
- Shark powder
- Mollusk powder
- Organic silica
Viviscal is available in the following 3 forms—
- Oral pills
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
One thing to remember while using Viviscal to stop genetic hair loss naturally is that you must use the oral supplement 2 times a day for at least half a year to get the actual results.
8. Fish Oil Supplements
Similar to Viviscal, fish oil supplements are also a good option to deal with hereditary hair loss because of the following benefits—
- They are loaded with nutrients like protein and omega-fatty acids
- Omega 3 fatty acids boost the hair growth cycle
- Fish oils also improve your overall hair health
Even though supplements can assist you in delaying the onset of genetic baldness, it is always a better idea to talk with a medical expert before introducing them into your diet.
9. Onion Juice
Even though onion juice is stinky, it has numerous properties that can be beneficial for treating genetic hair loss.
Many research studies have proven that onion juice—
- Encourages hair growth
- Promotes circulation across the scalp
- Supports the development and better growth of hair follicles
Apply an onion juice hair mask for 15 minutes before washing your hair normally with shampoo.
Conclusion
Overall, there are many ways to stop genetic hair loss naturally. We have mentioned 9 research-backed methods that you can choose from.
However, before bringing any drastic change to your daily routine, you can take a complete body checkup package. This can help you understand your body's needs better. Hence, you can take the right hereditary hair loss treatment based on your specific situation.
Sources
Ref Links:
