The sun provides a dose of vitamin D which helps to create new hair follicles and thus promotes hair growth. Following the same path of extra vitamin D, sunlight can also help to prevent and combat hair loss.
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that we take into our bodies primarily through exposure to the sun. It stimulates cell growth, keeps our skin healthy, and even helps to create hair follicles. In fact, Vitamin D is so important to our skin and hair that a lack of it can cause hair loss through alopecia.
Calcipotriol, a vitamin D analog, has been reported to be topically used in treating alopecia areata with promising results. Combination therapy of vitamin D analogs with corticosteroids might also be used in treating alopecia areata.
Topical minoxidil
Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine, is a topical treatment that's easy to apply and can be easily purchased over the counter. Minoxidil works to help the hair grow faster once the follicle is no longer under attack by the immune system and is capable of producing hair.
The Damage
When your scalp gets burnt by the sun, it damages the protective oils and cellular structure and may trigger the production of a compound called superoxide that may cause hair follicles to switch from the growth phase to the shedding phase, which may increase the chances of hair loss.
In small doses, sun exposure is good for our hair. Indeed, the sun allows them to grow much faster by increasing the blood circulation of our scalp. It will also give them clearer reflections and promote the production and synthesis of vitamin D.
If your hair has prolonged exposure to the sun, UVA and UVB rays can damage the outside cover of the hair strand, called the cuticle, says dermatologist Wilma Bergfeld, MD. “Sun damage can come in the forms of discoloration, dry and brittle strands, broken or split ends, thinning and frizziness,” says Dr. Bergfeld.
Causes of Alopecia Areata
In alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing inflammation. Researchers do not fully understand what causes the immune attack on hair follicles, but they believe that both genetic and environmental (non-genetic) factors play a role.
There is no cure for alopecia areata. If you have a few, small patches of hair loss on your head, it's likely your hair will grow back within a few months. Your doctor may not prescribe treatment in those cases. For larger areas of hair loss, your doctor may prescribe steroid injections under your scalp.
Prescription-strength corticosteroids in liquid form can be applied directly to the scalp. This is often an effective treatment for children affected by alopecia areata. Corticosteroid injections into areas of patchy hair loss on the scalp may help revive hair growth within several weeks in people with alopecia areata.
Eat plenty of protein and healthy fats.
A diet rich in omega oils and antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress placed on the hair by the environment, as well as some seafood rich in minerals and vitamins, can help with hair growth,” St. Surin-Lord says.
Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D should be supplemented if levels are low.
Drinking water helps hair health by preventing many hair problems. Drinking enough water keeps your hair hydrated. As such, one can truly avoid hair loss, hair fall, dry hair, brittle hair and itchiness. Your scalp remains hydrated and healthy by having the correct amount of water in the diet.
Ways to Stop Alopecia Areata from Spreading or Worsening
Avoiding unnecessary hair or scalp trauma, reducing stress and analyzing your diet are all worthwhile endeavors when attempting to prevent alopecia areata from spreading.
Alopecia areata is more common among African Americans but less common among Asians, compared with whites, according to a new study involving registry data for more than 11,000 individuals.
For patients who use treatments, there are several options. However, alopecia areata cannot be "cured." As noted above, most patients experience future episodes of hair loss. Corticosteroids — Corticosteroids, commonly called steroids, are anti-inflammatory medications that are used to treat alopecia areata.
Ketoconazole shampoos help treat Alopecia by cleaning the skin area around your hair follicle of sebum, or the skins natural oils that are produced. Getting rid of these oils can allow your hair follicles to receive more nutrition and release for your hair to regrow.
Heliosis or exposure to the sun also has applications for promoting hair growth. Experts recommend exposing one's self to midday rays of the sun for around 10-30 minutes a day.
It helps with hair growth.
It should be noted that there is such a thing as overexposure, so you want to make sure you don't overdo it. Most experts recommend soaking up the midday rays of the sun for at least 10 to 30 minutes every day.
The human body produces the hormone melatonin. This hormone has been confirmed by researchers to regulate the sleep cycle and increase hair growth. While sleep has a direct impact on the human body's natural hormones, it means that poor sleep reduces the amount of melatonin, potentially cause hair loss.