Yoga for hair loss

Baldness is a state in which there is an excessive loss of hair from the root. There are several types of baldness with a different cause. Genetically hair loss with ageing is the most common cause of baldness. The treatment of baldness depends entirely on its underlying cause.

Causes for baldness

Below are the common causes for baldness-

1) Change in Hormone level

Hormonal changes as unusual levels of androgens can cause baldness. Hormones are the chemical messengers of our body which is a part of the endocrine system that control our body systems. In many ways, hormones help our body to sustain and thus any imbalance in their constitution results in a number of problems and hair loss is one of them.

2) Genes or family history

Genetics contributes a lot in causing baldness in both male and female. Several types of research have found that having a family history of the same can cause baldness. Research has found that male pattern baldness is associated with male love making hormones called androgens. The androgens have many functions, including regulating hair growth.

3) Medical conditions

States like tension and illness can be the reasons for temporary baldness.  Fungal infection could also result in baldness. Other health conditions might be a cause of baldness when a rash, redness, pain, peeling of your scalp, hair breakage, patchy hair loss, or an unusual pattern of hair loss accompanies the hair loss problem. A skin biopsy and blood tests also might be required to diagnose disorders responsible for hair loss.

4) Medicines

Medicine makes blood thinners, treatment as chemotherapy and birth management tabs can cause baldness. Medicines can affect any part of the scalp or body. The extent and duration of hair loss completely depend on the medication that the person is taking, as well as the dosage.

5) Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata influence the hair follicles which thus promotes baldness. A person’s immune system attacks some part of their body instead of the usual germs, viruses in autoimmune diseases. Your hair follicles are one thing that can be affected by autoimmune disorders, that leads to hair loss.

6) Cosmetic procedures

Cosmetic changes like tight braiding or permanents could promote baldness and in case of heavy impact to the hair or scalp, they may cause lifetime bald patches.

7) Low-protein Diet 

A low-protein intake or dieting can also cause baldness. You must take a healthy diet with all amount of content equally, a balanced diet can do wonders for your hair. You should avoid sugary items and fried foods. 

Can Yoga Cure Baldness? 

1. The baldness type also known as telogen effluvium could be cured with a few yoga asanas and pranayama as they help to improve the blood circulation & oxygen to the scalp. 
2. All types of yoga help to lessen the stress; however, the best yoga style for stress depletion is kundalini and hatha. Both of these styles include meditation and asanas.
3. The asanas let go the tension throughout the body and meditation helps to deplete tension in the head. Meditation is most effective in stress reduction which is one of the common causes of hair baldness. Yoga helps to reduce tension, indigestion and poor blood circulation in the head. Therefore yoga has a major role in curing baldness telogen effluvium which might occur as a result of stress or several illnesses.

Can yoga treat permanent baldness?

Yoga can help to cure hair loss which is temporary due to stress, illness, hormonal changes. Though, permanent baldness which might be caused because of androgenetic alopecia or cicatricial alopecia cannot be cured with yoga. 

3 Poses of Yoga for Hair Growth

1) Adho mukha svanasana (downward facing dog pose)

How to do it-

Stand on all limbs with your palms and knees on the yoga mat. Get up on your feet and proceed your legs back to make an opposite V shape with your body. Your knees and arms should be straight and your abdominal should be pushed inward. Keep your head low and your eyes on your belly. Breathe in & out and remain in that position for 5 breaths.

Benefits-

It is a part of the sun salutation and the most advantageous yoga position for head, back, sinus and can help with insomnia, stress and depression. Hence your head is down for a few minutes, the blood goes into the head, stimulating the scalp & hair follicles.

It stimulates blood flow to the scalp which helps in powering hair follicles and helps in hair regrowth.

2) Sirsasana (headstand)

How to do it-

Bow down, join your fingers and angle your head downwards towards the floor. Support the crown of your head with the joined fingers, straight up your legs up slowly to stand vertically down perpendicular towards the floor. Remain your legs closer and hands straight. Once your body is stabilized in this position, try to maintain the pose for a few seconds. Ease your toes and breathe in and out in the position.  

Benefits-

It increases blood flow which helps reduce baldness, hair fall and thinning of hair. Also, this asana is also beneficial in decreasing premature whitening of hair and helps regrowth of new hair. 

The upside-down asana helps the dormant hair roots to reach their maximum capacity for hair growth and thus increases hair growth.    

3) Vajrasana (thunderbolt pose)

How to do it-

bow down and sit upon your heels with a vertical back and neck and heels near together. Keep your hands in a free position with palms down on your thighs and keep your head and sight straight. Keep that position for at least 30 seconds and take deep breaths during this position. Stretch and relax once you’re finished.

Benefits-

It is a very easy yoga asanas that even the yoga layman can do easily. This pose helps decrease stress and tension which is the most basic cause of hair loss and greying. It increases blood flow in the scalp and makes the hair strong. Doing these asanas regularly will increase hair health and make it thick and strong gradually.     

Treatments for baldness

There are several treatments available for baldness, you can either go for home remedies but if you are dealing with severe hair fall you should consult the Dermatologist before using any treatment.

Medicine: There are majorly two U.S. FDA approved medicines - Minoxidil and Finasteride. Minoxidil is endorsed for both men and women while Finasteride can only be utilized by men. These products are also available on Mars by GHC website.