Could you suggest a natural (chemical-free) alternative to ACV that would help counter my severe hairloss before I go bald? Thanks in advance.
Replied by Medina (Birmingham, W. Mids, Uk) on 10/31/2012
One reason for excessive hair loss can be due to anaemia - iron deficiency. I found that taking a natural iron supplement, Spatone, with orange juice (vitamin C helps absorption of iron) helped to stop my hair falling out. If you also have symptoms of light-headedness, lack of energy/tiredness or headaches, then iron supplements may be helpful.Replied by Olivia (Brooklyn, New York, Usa) on 10/31/2012
If your hair loss is a result of a medical problem, then the source of it has to be traced and corrected. However my hair loss has responded unbelievably well to the following regime: I deep condition my hair twice per week with a mixture of one raw egg, one tablespoon mayonnaise, one tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and one teaspoon coconut oil. I massage and leave for several hours or overnight; covering with a plastic bag under a night cap. I use a conditioner to wash instead of shampoo and I air dry instead of using heat. I use a wide tooth comb to avoid tugging. If you go to you tube, and type "hair loss" you will find many similar stories and recommendations. Good Luck.Replied by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 10/31/2012
Hi Bushcraft, Sorry to hear about your hair loss. I had a problem with losing clumps of hair a few years ago now. It was due to hair dye which I would always react to but it wasn't until I began losing large amounts of hair that I finally ceased using it anymore. I figured being gray was a better alternative to no hair. It has taken a long time to recover from this and several years later my hair is now full (and very salt and pepper! )
I did many things. Diet was a big one eating good sources of protein and following Weston Price recommendations for a sound diet and good health. I also would wash my hair with the best hair shampoo from the health food store with the least ingredients and borax. One thing I noticed when using the borax was all scalp itching stopped which was always a problem.
Then, here on EC, someone wrote in about hair oiling. It is a part of East Indian culture so I read up on it and have practiced this for about a year now. That yielded really good results too. I use different oils such as coconut oil, argan oil, castor oil. I usually do it on Sunday since it can take some time getting the oil back out.
I also use very high grade Chinese herbs, one being ho shou wu, known to help the hair. Anyway, I hope this info helps. Wishing you the best, Lisa
Replied by Tahiti (Silver Spring, Maryland) on 11/02/2012
Hi Lisa! Great advice about the 'hair-oiling. ' I have experienced the same problem with hair dyeing. I had mine dyed black to cover the gray, and it nearly destroyed my hair. I am slowly recovering from it. I mixed castor oil, olive oil, coconut oil and argan oil together and put it on my scalp and hair. It is working wonders for me! My hair is slowly growing in healthy and strong. I rarely comb my hair, but use my fingers to rake through it for styling, parting or whatever. I find that I lose very little of it that way. I have a long way to go still, but I am relieved and content to keep my gray and maintain a healthy head of hair!Replied by Julie (Baltimore, Md) on 11/02/2012
I had the same issue.. I went and got my hormone levels checked and it turned out I was very low in estrogen. I have been using an estrogen gel for 4 months and literally do not loose any hair anymore!! Literally went from an alarming rate of loss to 5/10 hairs max!!! Pls pls get your hormones checked!!Replied by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 11/02/2012
Hi Tahiti, Good to hear from you. I too, was dying my hair black since that's my real color. Perhaps, black is a harsh dye. I haven't met anyone else over the years who has had the same experience. How long ago did this happen to you? And yes, recovery was very slow. So slow that I actually worked to just accept how thin my hair had become. And because of what had happened, it had come out in clumps. Disturbing. How often do you oil your hair? I don't do it as often as before since my hair has recovered. I will do it when I take a far infrared sauna so it gets a deep oiling.
I also have learned here on EC about not washing with shampoo. So I only use shampoo about once a week. Otherwise, I just really massage my hair in the shower as I let the water clean it. It's amazing how that has changed my scalp health. And like you I will often just run my fingers through my hair rather than brushing it.
I also follow Weston Price's principles of eating and I believe that also helped restore my hair. You might want to check into them. Just recently I posted a link to the site with that information here on EC. I think diet keeps us healthy from the inside out.
Best to you! Lisa
Replied by Tahiti (Silver Spring, Maryland) on 11/08/2012
Hi Lisa, thanks for your post. I am an African-American female, 60 years of age with naturally thin hair. I got my hair dyed black about five months ago. It took a terrible toll on my hair and scalp. I wash my hair about once a week with a very mild shampoo. I might try not shampooing, just using water instead. I oil my scalp after I wash my hair. It is thin enough that it naturally goes from my scalp into and through out my hair. I sometimes put a little extra on the ends. It is growing in, slowly like I said before, but it is at least growing. I don't think I will ever dye it again! Like yourself, I have come to accept the color and texture of my hair, no matter! Diet definitely does matter! I will check out the site you recommended and thanks again Lisa, for all of the helpful information you have given. TahitiReplied by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 11/09/2012
Hi Tahiti, It's interesting how the hair dye affected us so dramatically. It seems like everyone is able to dye their hair without any problem. My husband said it was a blessing in disguise because when you dye your hair, the chemicals penetrate your scalp so who knows what it's doing on the inside!
Yes, do try washing your hair with just water. It really does work. I only use a very natural herbal shampoo maybe once a week. I find that your scalp actually adjusts and doesn't produce more oil. When we shampoo a lot we start a cycle, our scalp gets dry and our body responds by producing more oil. Then we feel we have to shampoo to control that. When this was first explained to me, it made perfect sense. And now I have found this to be true.
And just so you know, it actually took me 5 years to recover from the hair loss! So, don't lose hope and continue with the water wash, hair oiling and healthy diet to see good results. I'm about your age too so it shows our body can recover even as we mature. Best to you, Lisa
Replied by Tahiti (Silver Spring, Maryland) on 11/14/2012
Thanks again, Lisa! I'm going to try the no shampoo for two weeks at least and see how I fare!Replied by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 11/16/2012
Hi Tahiti, I keep meaning to write to you because I forgot to ask if you've ever tried Black Castor Oil? I actually learned of it from the African American community. I had good results with it and it is known to re- grow hair. I ordered mine from Amazon. I'm going to give you a link to someone talking about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-7tggy_Lmc&feature=related
Also, have you started trying the water only hair wash yet? And what are your thoughts on it? I know when I first started doing it, it felt very strange. I think we have an addiction to shampoo! Now I see such a difference in my hair after using only water. Remember it takes a bit of time for the scalp to adjust to this. Anyway, let me know. Best to you, Lisa
Replied by Antionette (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) on 11/28/2012
I am 36 year old african american. I have learned to wash my hair with conditioner I only shampoo once every 2 to 3 weeks.
