Hair fall is a common cause of distress to many. Rarely do we come across people who do not face this issue. Though it may vary in severity, hair fall does not spare anyone. It would bring great relief to the readers that hair fall has a remedy and can be controlled, to a certain extent, with the right lifestyle and diet. In this article, you will learn about the types and causes of hair fall, the role of blueberries in hair growth, and how they can be incorporated into your day-to-day life.

Is hair important?

Hair is an essential physical attribute of a person. Regardless of gender, hair is important in shaping one’s confidence and self-esteem. Healthy hair comes easily to certain people, all thanks to strong genes, but maintaining healthy and shiny hair for a very long period takes a lot of effort.

What is hair fall? 

Hair fall, also termed alopecia, can be permanent or temporary. It is the accelerated loss of hair from one's head and body. People usually lose around 50-100 strands of hair in a day. When the rate of hair growth is not proportional to the rate of hair fall, things start worrying. Hair fall, in the long run, causes baldness. Baldness could be of different types.¹ 

Such as:

• Male pattern baldness is commonly seen in ageing men, where baldness starts at the top of the hair or has a receding hairline. It can gradually lead to partial or total baldness.
• Female pattern baldness - Female-pattern baldness typically starts with scalp hairs becoming less dense. Many women first experience hair thinning and loss when they part their hair and on the top-central portion of the head.
• Traction alopecia - Hair loss that occurs if you tie your hair up in pigtails, cornrows, and braids or use tight hair rollers is called traction alopecia.
• Frontal fibrosal alopecia- Receding hairline is referred to as frontal fibrosing alopecia.This condition is primarily seen in older women, and significant permanent baldness can be controlled by early intervention.
• Patchy hair loss ( alopecia areata)- One or more circular bald patches can be seen in this condition. Alopecia areata usually starts suddenly.

What causes hair fall?

There are a lot of causes for hair fall. Sometimes, certain causes act together to accelerate the process of hair fall. Certain causes include.

• Hereditary reasons
• Side-effects of medication.
• Constant exposure to heat treatment.
• Deficiency of required vitamins
• Stress and anxiety.
• As a result of chemotherapy in cancer patients.
• Hormonal changes and medical conditions.
• Changing seasons and humidity.

How can hairfall be prevented?

It is pleasant news that hairfall can be prevented to a certain extent. Initially, one has to figure out the root cause of hair fall. It can vary from person to person. Routine blood tests can be conducted to understand the presence of deficiencies in our body. In most cases, hairfall can be controlled by maintaining a proper lifestyle and incorporating some aspects of your diet. One such element that helps you tackle this problem is blueberries. Who would’ve thought right?

Blueberries for healthy hair

Blueberries are considered one of the healthiest fruits around. In addition to being sweet and nutritious, it is wildly popular as a ‘superfood’. Superfoods are food items with exceptional nutrient density and highly benefit your body. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, and many more. These are crucial elements required for healthy, shiny hair.

How do antioxidants work?

Antioxidants, as the name suggests, work against free radicals and oxidants formed and accumulated in our bodies. Free radicals are produced either due to metabolism in our body or by several external factors like cigarette smoking, radiation, pollution, and medication. Once they accumulate in our body, it leads to oxidative stress. Cancer, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurodegenerative diseases are some of the many diseases caused by oxidative stress. Such free radicals may also affect the health and appearance of skin and hair, making it look dull and lifeless. Antioxidants neutralise the free radicals present in our body and thus prevent the formation of oxidative stress, leading to less hair fall. They also improve blood circulation to scalp cells, inducing hair growth and preventing premature greying.²

Role of vitamin C in hair growth

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin commonly found in citrus fruits and berries. Vitamin C is considered an all-rounder in the beauty industry as it provides many benefits to the body and hair. Hair is made up of a protein called Keratin. Vitamin C increases collagen synthesis in our body, which in turn helps form keratin, resulting in reduced hair fall and increased hair growth. Vitamin C is also considered an antioxidant that reduces free radicals.

Inhibiting DHT

DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is a hormone that contributes to the development of sexual structures and characteristics in people assigned to males at birth (AMAB).  It plays an essential role during fetal development and puberty.  Males have more DHT than females.  An increase in the level of DHT beyond normal could cause androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness. It causes your hairline to recede and also causes hair loss on the top and front regions. It shrinks your hair follicles and thereby results in hair loss. Consuming food that contains natural DHT blockers can, therefore, solve this issue. Blueberry is one such DHT blocker.³

How can you use blueberries for hair care?

 Blueberries can be used for your haircare purposes in 2 ways;

• Incorporating into your diet
• Applying externally with DIY masks

Incorporating blueberries into your diet

Incorporating blueberries into your diet has overall health benefits as blueberries are nutrition-rich food. Blueberries can be included in your diet in the form of:

• Smoothies
• Fruit bowl
• Muffins
• Bread etc

DIY using blueberries:

1. Blend blueberries with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, egg white, and rosemary
2. Apply it on dry hair
3. Give yourself a good massage for 20 minutes
4. Wash it off with lukewarm water

Precautions

Even though blueberries are considered harmless, some people may be allergic to them.⁴ The prevalence of blueberry allergy is relatively lower than that of other food allergies. People with a history of allergy to certain food items should be cautious when consuming blueberries. The symptoms or manifestations of blueberry allergy include itching, tingling, and swelling of the mouth, lips, or throat. Allergic reactions could range anywhere between mild to severe. Gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea, nausea, and abdominal pain are also observed. Consulting a doctor or nutritionist is advised before making any sudden dietary changes.

When to consult a doctor?

Consuming blueberries may not always be your saving grace when treating hair fall. Once you feel like there is no change in the hair fall rate, even after altering your diet and switching to a healthier lifestyle, you should visit a dermatologist to understand the underlying cause of your concern and get treated accordingly.

Summary

Hair fall is a very common issue. It could be the symptom of any underlying disease or could be a result of an unhealthy lifestyle and wrong dietary choices. Blueberries are commonly available and highly nutritious food items that help reduce the rate of hair fall and stimulate hair growth, resulting in healthy and shiny locks. Blueberries contain essential elements like vitamins C, E, K and antioxidants, which play an important role in the growth and maintenance of hair. Consuming blueberries in large amounts may irritate the digestive system. So, it is advisable to have blueberries in monitored amounts. Though blueberries are natural hair growth boosters, they do have their limitations. One must expect more than blueberries to solve the hair fall issue. It is always advisable to consult a dermatologist in severe cases.

So go out there and enjoy your blueberries and healthy, shiny hair!