Alopecia - 3 Steps for Recovery and Regrowth
Have you ever found clumps of hair missing after brushing, or noticed a mound of hair clogging up the drain after washing? Although these two examples can be nothing out of the ordinary, it may also be time to check in with yourself and determine if hair loss is occurring due to an imbalance within the body, or just the natural cycle of light hair shedding. Understanding the difference can be very beneficial because your hair and scalp can tell you many things about your health.
Alopecia
Frequent or drastic hair loss may have you wondering if you are experiencing more than just the natural depletion of dead or unhealthy hair. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to experience symptoms of a disease called alopecia. In alopecia, your immune system invades your hair follicles and disrupts growth, potentially stopping growth all together, while minimizing the size of follicles. This condition can look quite different from person to person, ranging from hair loss that occurs several times over years, or minimal occurrences resulting in new hair growth within a few months’ time. In some cases, people can experience one or more bald patches around the head, about the size of a quarter. Others can lose all hair on the head or on the entire body.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is more specifically the form of hair loss in which patches of bald spots appear throughout the scalp or elsewhere. Patches of baldness can occur in different places of the body including head, face, eyebrows, eyelashes, and even some more concealed locations such as ears and nose. Besides hair loss, direct signs of Alopecia Areata can include redness, brittleness, or dents within nails.
Androgenic Alopecia
Androgenic Alopecia, is more gradual and typically comes with a thread of known patterns. For example, Androgenic Alopecia usually begins at the front of the head, on either side of the temple, and over time thins and removes hair, usually leaving behind an “M” shaped hairline. Another likely symptom is gradual thinning of hair at the top of the head, until there is very little hair left, or complete baldness has occurred.
Androgenetic Alopecia is likely triggered by and related to a type of hormone called Androgens, that are known for regulating hair growth in both males and females. When levels of Androgens are increased in our hair follicles, it can result in brief growth cycles, shorter and thinner hair, and delayed turnover of new hair.
What Causes Alopecia?
Alopecia is an autoimmune disease. This means that your body mistakes your normal and healthy cells and tissues as invaders and destroys them. This could be the result of a virus or bacteria within the body, a physical or environmental stressor from outside the body, trauma, or a combination of all. Alopecia may also be the result of a previous health condition, hormonal imbalances, or poor nutrition.
The great aspect of using natural, holistic treatments, is that there are typically no risks. You may not only see positive results for alopecia, but will also see great change in other areas of health such as energy levels, skin, immunity, sleep, and digestion.
Treating Alopecia
1) Cleanse your System
Diet & Hydration
Many autoimmune diseases can be the result of toxicity. Cleaning up your diet and eating only whole pure foods, such as organic vegetables, organic fruits, organic and grass fed animal foods such as colostrum and organ meats, is the best place to begin. Make sure you are drinking plenty of spring water, or purified, structured water with plenty of minerals.
Add these minerals to your water.
Cleansing & Detox
Then, I recommend beginning a fast and doing some cleansing to eliminate deep toxins. All autoimmune disease is the the result of any of the following three things (or all of them): Toxins, Microbes, Trauma.
Complete the CellCore Biosciences Comprehensive Protocol. CellCore protocols are the treatment protocols I use for most of my patients. They are the best professional products for detox, drainage, pathogens and restoring balance on the market. Contact me to learn more about CellCore protocols. You will need my code LxgHzGOs to buy CellCore Products.
During your cleansing period and at least once a week after you complete the CellCore Comprehensive Protocol, I highly recommend regular use of an Infrared Sauna.
This is the infrared sauna I recommend to my patients. Save 20% on it through this link.
It’s portable and easy to store. It utilizes full-spectrum near-, mid-, and far-infrared, all with ultra-low EMFs. It comes equipped with its own ozone generator and is made from organic bamboo.
2) Restore and Replenish
After you complete the cleansing, you will want to restore and repopulate your gut. Microbiome Labs are the Gut Restoration products I use with my patients. Click here to access Microbiome Labs.
You will also want to make sure you are getting the right nutrients in your daily diet.
Vitamin A - Our skin glands need vitamin A to create sebum, an oily substance that moisturizes the scalp and promotes healthy hair growth. The best food sources of Vitamin A include liver, cod liver oil, egg yolk, butter, winter/butternut squash, kale, sweet potato, carrot, and spinach.
You can also take vitamin A in supplement form.
Zinc - To improve or ensure that the oil glands surrounding the hair follicles are functioning correctly, you may consider incorporating more Zinc into your diet. Zinc is also essential for repairing damage and promoting hair tissue growth. However, just like vitamin A, it is recommended to be mindful of your dosage and intake only suggested servings, because too much zinc may also lead to hair loss. 30 mg twice per day would be the absolute maximum dosage. The best sources of zinc are animal foods such as organ meat, grass-fed lamb and beef, and kefir. Plant-based sources are pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, chickpeas, lentils, avocado, mushrooms, and spinach.
I do recommend everyone take a zinc supplement as animal food sources only provide up to 45 percent daily value maximum per serving, and plant sources far less.
This is my favorite zinc supplement. It is food-based.
Biotin - Also known as Vitamin B7, biotin can work wonders to strengthen hair through its ability to break down proteins into amino acids. Even if you are not diagnosed with alopecia, you may consider integrating biotin into your regimens to help reverse damage caused by harsh or chlorinated waters, heat from blow drying or styling, or even UV radiation. You can find biotin in several different foods such as liver, kidney, egg yolk, nuts and seeds, salmon, avocado, sweet potato, broccoli.
Here are some biotin supplement options.
Herbs for hair growth
Horsetail - Works to strengthen and prevent hair breakage
Stinging Nettles: Helps prevent the production of DHT (a hormone) and hair loss
Saw Palmetto: Wards off the overproduction of DHT. It will also increase new and thicker hair growth
Ginseng - Increases functions of hair follicles and facilitates recovery
Hibiscus - increases hair follicles for growth and may even increase the size of follicles
Jatamansi - Can speed up production of hair growth. This beautiful herb has also been used for patients recovering from chemotherapy to assist in formulation of new hair
Ginkgo Biloba - Boosts circulation and is effective for treating hair follicle disturbances or deficiencies
Tulsi - Also known as holy basil, works to soothe an irritated scalp and rebalance any disturbances within the scalp and follicles that may be leading to hair loss
Here are some high quality formulas that include herbs and nutrients for hair.
3) External Care for Alopecia
Shampoo and Conditioner
Use the most gentle shampoo and conditioner you can find.
I have used this hair care for 15 years.
These are also great options:
Scalp Massage
Scalp massage can provide benefits for healthy hair growth. Scalp massage can increase the thickness of hair as it works to stretch out the cells of hair follicles and stimulate blood flow. Scalp massage also has potential to dilate the blood vessels underneath the scalp and skin, overall promoting hair growth. Based on a study conducted in 2019, 69% of the 240 participants noted that their condition of Alopecia had improved after engaging in scalp massage twice each day.
There are many ways to integrate a scalp massage into your daily routine including:
A traditional form performed by oneself or another using the fingertips. This can be done with dry or wet hair and the addition of Ilea Elixir.
Using scalp massage tools with Ilea Elixir.
Jade comb (Gua Sha): Like the Gua Sha technique that can be performed on the face and neck, a jade comb works to stimulate the scalp. This method releases tension and promotes thicker and stronger hair. Ilea Elixir works wonderfully for this technique to not only nourish, but increase flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the scalp. Gentle scalp stimulation can produce an ultimate relaxation experience and not to mention the energy from the jade stone will further create relaxation and restoration.
Restorative Hair Elixir
Just as you may enjoy a nutrient dense smoothie, juice, or elixir to boost health, detox, and every day functions; Ilea Elixir was created to provide your hair with the same nourishment. This hand-crafted, potent elixir is a hair growth serum that nurtures and feeds the hair while creating an aromatic and gratifying sensation like none other. Consistent use of this luscious hair serum can help create shiny luster, healthy follicles, natural growth, and abundance. We use a special infusion of herbs and oils that are formulated to stimulate the follicles while Phyto-actives work to restore the roots, creating fuller, thicker hair. You may find yourself indulging in this intoxicating, regenerative formulation to decrease symptoms of alopecia or other scalp and hair concerns, or simply as a preventative. Whatever your reason, including this elixir into your routine will help to replenish and maintain beautiful, flourishing hair. It also makes for a relaxing, sensual part of your morning or night rituals. Take in the enchanting aroma of Ilea Elixir and follow up with a gentle, yet invigorating scalp massage to enhance the pure, raw, and high-quality ingredients. Allow this beautifying, self-care practice to bestow you with luscious locks.
Sources:
Alopecia areata. National Alopecia Areata Foundation. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, July 27).
Alopecia areata. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, July 27).
Alopecia areata. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Hair loss types: Alopecia areata overview. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2020, August 18).
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