Men's Thinning Hair
Hair is more than adornment it also becomes a symbol of our identity,
confidence and youthful vitality. For many men, experiencing thinning hair can
be disheartening and distressing. There can be several reasons why one’s hair
is thinning. The most common physiological cause of hair loss is genetic
(androgenic alopecia) and often referred to as “male pattern baldness”. This
condition is characterized by the gradual shrinking of the hair follicle itself,
leading to thinner and shorter strands, that break off and fall out sooner.
Hormonal levels such as the increase in DHT (dihydrotestosterone), due to
factors like age, stress, or medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or
autoimmune disease can also contribute to thinning hair. Chronic stress, an
unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and inadequate sleep are also factors that can
contribute to the disruption of our natural hair growth cycle and thinning hair,
along with other naturally occurring factors such as poor circulation, blocked hair
follicles and hardened excess oil. All of these circumstances, regardless of the
cause depict an unhealthy scalp, and often will contribute to more serious
conditions such as dandruff, eczema and psoriasis.
In understanding all of these conditions it is clear that a healthy scalp is
essential for strong hair growth. Our hair is similar to a plant in Nature: if we
want a flourishing plant we need to take care of the roots, the soil, and give it the
proper care of water, sunshine and nutrients. Neil Naturopathic products are
founded on a similar principle of understanding that every cell in order to thrive
needs fresh hydration, fresh oxygen, fresh nutrients and to be able to remove the
waste. In all of the conditions mentioned as the cause of thinning hair, the scalp
has been affected and the hair follicle has suffered from various forms of
inflammation. While we can never change genetics what I have learned in 40
years of clinical practice as a Naturopath, is that we can offset that genetic
influence. The nutrition that we would use to preserve and protect the integrity of
our hair is provided topically in all of Neil Naturopathic products.
There are so many ingredients in our products that provide the nutrients
and the right interventions to affect the reduction of inflammation and
devitalization of the roots and scalp along with the promotion of both growth and
re-growth of the hair, but for the purposes of this blog I will talk about one of the
most important ingredients which actually come from the kingdom of the earth,
bentonite clay, which is present in all of our shampoos and conditioners.
Bentonite clay is highly absorptive and negatively charged, meaning it
attracts positive ions which allows it to bond with water to eliminate and draw out
toxins, impurities, dandruff, dead skin cells, and product build-up, while also
supplying valuable nutrients. The miracle of bentonite is it works both ways:
once it has pulled the impurities and toxins from the hair and scalp it allows fresh
oxygen to reach the scalp and hair root while supplying valuable nutrients to
make the hair and scalp healthy. Bentonite clay is also antimicrobial,
antibacterial, and antifungal and it is highly effective at helping eliminate the dry,
irritated, or flaking scalps associated with eczema, psoriasis and seborrheic
dermatitis. Bentonite has the ability to be clarifying and balancing of natural
sebum, especially for oily scalps, without drying the scalp and provides a
protective barrier to help heal wounds and relieve itchiness. Further, bentonite
clay washes out toxins but it also keeps the follicles clean and clear while
building hair strength and vitality. Bentonite clay also hydrates both the hair and
scalp; softening, conditioning, and moisturizing the hair, while also oxygenating
and hydrating the scalp. Bentonite clay contains a mineral called silica that is a
strong carrier of oxygen and is responsible for the scalp remaining supple and
the hair being hydrated and strengthened. Bentonite clay provides most of the
minerals and nutrients the hair requires to be healthy. All of these valuable
nutrients and minerals help eliminate hair breakage and support the continued
growth of healthy, thick, and vibrant hair. Bentonite clay also helps control frizz
which is particularly important for people with any curl pattern ranging from wavy
to coily hair.
Living a healthy lifestyle is very important in preserving our hair and its
vitality. Using Neil Naturopathic products, including our hair oils, can be an
essential part of a daily routine to insure that our hair does not succumb to the
many conditions that cause its thinning, breaking and falling out long before its
time. Drinking our Hair Tonic Tea also provides the exact nutritional profile to
heal wounded scalps and grow stronger, thicker more elastic hair.
