Good nutrition, low stress and invigorating scalp massages may help you keep your locks longer. The most common cause of hair loss is heredity, but there are some things you can do to slow down the process.

Hair Growth Products

Ever read the Rogaine label? Possible side affects listed on hair growth product labels should deter you from trying that method of hair growth. It states that women may grow facial hair - yuck- not for me. Rapid heart beat and vision problems are also listed as possible side effects.

Also, hair growth products must be used again and again. The labels of such products state that when you stop using the product your hair will go back to its original state. Also there is a chance that you may lose more hair than you had before you starting using the product. This means $20 to $30 dollars every month is needed to keep the unstable tresses.

Common Hair Ailments

Acne medications, antidepressants, blood thinners and a host of other medications can cause your hair to thin or fall out prematurely. Trauma and deep-rooted stress can cause hair to fall out by the handfuls; this condition is called telogen effluvium. Also an autoimmune condition called alopecia areata causes hair to fall out in patches. Male pattern baldness (MPB) and female pattern baldness (FPB) will cause your hair to fall out, no matter what you do. In the case of MPB or FPB, hair loss does take place gradually, so attacking the problem early can sometimes slow down the process.

How Do You Treat Your Hair?

Washing everyday and blow drying your hair is not a good way to keep your hair. Shampoos strip the hair of natural oils and the blow dryer will strip the oils even more while splitting the follicles and drying them out further. Tight hairstyles like cornrows and over-processing such as frequent straightening can cause hair damage that leads to hair loss. Perms and hair coloring, especially done together, are very hard on the hair and scalp and make cause breakage and loss of hair, also.

Supplements for Hair Growth

Supplements such as zinc, iron and B vitamins are all natural hair saving graces. If you are not taking a multiple vitamin, now would be a good time to start. Make sure you are getting enough iron from your food or supplements. Red meat contains iron, but eating whole grains, fish, fruits and vegetable high in iron may be a better way to go since cancer has been linked to high consumption of red meats.

Preventative Measures

* Get your thyroid checked regularly. Some thyroid conditions lead to hair thinning and hair loss.

* Keep your liver healthy; try the herb Silymarin (milk thistle) for a liver cleanse.

* Keep stress down - adrenal glands feed the scalp and hair, too.

* Try a simple scalp massage before bedtime. Leave the conditioning oil in your hair and sleep with a cotton bandana or wool cap to protect the pillow. Hot oils treatments are also beneficial to the hair and scalp.

* Drink plenty of quality water, kidneys nourish the hair and can help prevent hair loss.

* Using a natural bristle hair brush only, brush your hair regularly. This will bring out the natural oils in your scalp and encourage new growth and stability.

As with any vitamin or supplement, please consult your doctor before taking. Author Beverly Terhune speaks from 35 years of living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and shares her experience, strength & hope on how to lead a healthy, substance-free life.

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