Loss or absence of hair, also known as alopecia or balding, is a hereditary and unavoidable condition in some adult men. In young people and women, temporary thinning of the hair may be a result of severe stress or shock. It may also be a side effect of medication or the result of a dietary deficiency or hormonal imbalance.

Treatment

Dietary

Hair loss resulting from stress, trauma, shock or long-term illness can be helped by the following dietary recommendations:

Increase intake of vitamin C, found in fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits and juices, parsley, broccoli, green pepper and blackcurrants. Take a vitamin B complex supplement daily. Take brewer’s yeast: 1 tablespoon in a glass of water 3 times daily. Increase intake of protein, found in meat, fish, liver, wheatgerm, dried cooked beans and peas, tofu, cheese, milk, and eggs.

Homeopathy

To be taken morning and night for up to 1 month:

Hair loss after pregnancy: Lycopodium 6c. Hair loss after grief or extreme emotion, accompanied by exhaustion and indifference: Phosphoric acid 6c. Hair loss during the menopause with hot sweaty flushes and heavy bleeding: Sepia 6c.

Chinese Medicine

Chinese doctors believe that hair is nourished by the blood, and thus influenced by the condition of the liver and kidney. Treatment is aimed at toning these organs using fleeceflower root, wolfberry fruit or mulberry fruit. Acupuncture may also be recommended.

Orthodox

If you are taking medication, ask your doctor about its potential side effects, and look for alternatives if it causes hair loss. The Pill, anti-coagulants, diet pills, and thyroid medications can all contribute to hair loss. Hair growth can be encouraged by a relatively new treatment called minoxidil liquid. Transplantation techniques, though limited in their ability to restore thick hair, are also sometimes carried out.