Across the globe, good lustrous hair is associated with good health and cheerfulness. Good hair has also been associated with feminine beauty. This holds true for every civilization that has existed on this planet.
Women associate their hair with beauty and sensuality, while men correlate it with virility and vitality. But why is this so?
It is because, when we recall someone, we do not think about their legs or their torsos; we tend to associate people with facial images. The hair, or the lack of it, does make a significant impact in how we visualize these images. In this age of Facebook updates, selfies, Instagram pictures, and the social media, people wish to flaunt their best looks, something that is supposedly possible, when you have healthy hair.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is normal to lose 50-100 strands of hair every day. The problem arises when the rate of hair fall increases, or when adequate replacements are not seen. This results in the thinning of hair, or the appearance of bald patches. To those of us who are fortunate to have not yet experienced hair loss, the brouhaha concerning it seems to be a tad amusing and overbearing, but to someone experiencing the problem, there is nothing amusing about it.
After a shower, when you find a clump of hair sticking to the towel, you feel miserable. You run your hands through your hair and invariably notice the thinning of the hair. Unless you overcome this problem soon, it starts to eat into you. With every passing day, as the feeling of helplessness gets stronger, the urge to find a solution takes a firmer hold. It consumes you, affecting your life and relationships. A casual remark by a family member or a friend about the thinning hair jolts you, as you begin to feel that people have begun to notice the hair loss.
Panic sets in and the response is confused. Instead of evaluating the problem and finding rational solutions, knee-jerk responses are triggered. Home remedies suggested by friends and family are taken up with gusto and abandoned. Online searches zero in on products which are bought and then, abandoned. Visits are scheduled to trichologists, and physicians of all systems of medicine and the medications begin. These too are abandoned when there are no noticeable results. You check out those costly hair-transplantation procedures, read the reviews and get disheartened.
With every attempt to contain hair loss that is unsuccessful, the desperation grows. It is this desperation and confused thinking that does not allow you to sit down and think calmly. Have you checked out what are the causes of this hair loss? Have you made an honest effort to overcome this cause? Have you given each attempt enough time to show results?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hair loss may result in the lack of self-confidence, something that has detrimental effects on your professional career. Although competence and exemplary communication skills are valuable assets to any organization, appearances matter too. During interviews, the appearance factor at times takes precedence, and a person ends up without the job, even though he or she had all the requisite skills. Students suffering from hair fall may be unable to concentrate on their studies, something that would wreak havoc in their lives. Those who are already employed may suffer from lapse of attention, something that would surely affect their performances, which would again affect their careers in the long run.
The constant worrying and the nagging thoughts ensure that you are under stress, which when left untreated leads and manifests into symptoms like irritation, anger, harsh words, inability to concentrate, lack of appetite, constipation, and avoiding social interactions. You try to cover your hair with a cap or a scarf to hide the thinning hair. After a period of time, you cannot step out without it. This leads to a lack of self-confidence and anxiety attacks are known to be triggered.
Mild to severe depression sets in along with the feeling of low self-esteem. Depression also affects the eating habits of a person. Some people tend to miss meals while others tend to find solace in food. This means that you end up either losing weight, or putting it on. Either of this would affect your looks and result in long-term complications. It’s worth remembering that obesity results in an imbalance in the production of thyroxine and insulin, something that further adds to the problem. Depression and obesity calls for medications, some of which list hair loss as a side effect, which sadly adds to the problem rather than solving it.
So, is there a way out? Is it good enough? Does it work?
There is a way out, one that has been around for a few thousand years. It’s ayurveda, a science that believes in a holistic approach to a healthy body and a healthy mind. Perfected over centuries, authentic ayurveda provides solutions to many complex problems. This involves changes in diet and tips to reduce stress and hair fall.
Hair fall occurs due to a variety of reasons. Trying to calmly handle the problem and seeking expert help could make sure that it does not affect your lifestyle.
