Hair loss, whether in men or women, can have a serious effect on your self-esteem. It can leave a person feeling self-conscious and unattractive.
Yet while hair loss to a certain extent has a hereditary component for many, thinning hair is due to other issues. While many medical interventions exist that may help with hair loss, a natural supplement in the form of black seed oil could help with the situation.
We will look at the causes of hair loss and how black seed oil may significantly reduce hair fall while supporting new hair growth.
Causes Of Hair Loss
As mentioned, many things can cause people to experience hair loss.
Your Genes
The most common cause of hair loss is due to a genetic component. We refer to this type of hair loss as androgenetic alopecia. It is associated with both male and female-pattern baldness.
Interestingly, this type of hair loss is not associated with only one gene.
Multiple genes are involved. Examples include the androgen receptor gene. This gene is found on the X chromosome. In other words, men inherit it from their mother. Women, on the other hand, can inherit this gene from either parent. This is because men have an X and Y chromosome that determine their sex. Women have two X chromosomes. Women can thus inherit this gene from either of their parents.
While the androgen receptor gene is most often named as a cause of alopecia, multiple other genes may also play a role.
The Role Of Stress In Hair Loss
Stress is another common cause of hair loss. But it does so in three ways.
- Telogen Effluvium
This is usually a temporary condition that results from either physical or emotional stress. Hair follicles may quickly shift from a growing phase into a resting phase. When you shed these hairs, you will notice a large amount of hair fallout that could lead to hair thinning in certain areas. This is usually a temporary situation, and the hair grows back after the stressful situation is resolved.
- Trichotillomania
This is a mental condition brought about by stress and refers to an uncontrollable urge to pull out your hair. Genetics may also play a role.
Treatment of this condition usually involves medical interventions as well as habit reversal training.
- Alopecia Areata
This is an autoimmune condition considered to be caused by stress. While it results in patchy hair loss on the scalp, people with the condition can experience hair loss anywhere on the body. The condition can affect both men and women and can start at any age.
With this condition, the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles. It sees them as a foreign body that your body needs to get rid of.
Hair Loss And Hormones
Hormones play a significant role in hair health.
The female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone encourage healthy hair and hair growth. When the levels of these hormones drop due to, for example, menopause or pregnancy, the hair growth cycle becomes shorter. This causes shedding.
In men, the androgen hormones like testosterone have a strong link to hair loss. Higher levels of androgen hormones in men can shrink hair follicles. As a result, they become finer. They may eventually fall out with no regrowth occurring in the affected areas.
Elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol can trigger telogen effluvium, a condition discussed under the role of stress in hair loss. Fortunately, this hair loss is usually temporary if the stress is addressed.
Your thyroid hormones also influence hair growth or loss. Whether you have an underactive or overactive thyroid that results in increased or decreased thyroid hormone production, it can disrupt your hair growth cycle. This could result in thinning hair over the entire scalp.
Medications And Treatments
Certain medications and medical treatments may encourage hair loss. Examples of these medications include certain of those used to address gout and high blood pressure. Using high doses of vitamin A may also encourage hair loss.
Chemotherapy and radiation both cause hair loss. In both cases, hair should grow as normal once you discontinue treatment.
Other Causes Of Hair Loss
Other factors may promote hair loss. These include tight hairstyles that can damage hair follicles over an extended period. Certain chemicals used on the hair may also contribute to this.
Scalo health also plays a role. Fungal infections or scalp issues like dandruff may inhibit healthy hair growth.
Lastly, nutrient deficiencies may also play a role. When your body does not get enough zinc, iron or protein, for example, it does not have the ability to sustain healthy hair growth.
Does Black Seed Oil Promote Hair Growth?
Black seed oil may promote hair growth via different pathways. The various ingredients in the oil, i.e., thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, thymol, nigellicine, carvacrol, nigellimine, nigellicine, nigellidine, and alpha-hederin, affect the body in different ways. They are also the reason for the oil’s strong antifungal and microbial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.
Black Seed Oil Stimulates Hair Growth
Black seed oil may encourage hair regrowth because it stimulates blood flow to the scalp. In doing so, it helps with hair follicle nourishment, which in turn encourages hair regrowth in areas that see thinning hair.
Black Seed Oil Has A Beneficial Effect On Hair Follicles
The fatty acids, minerals and vitamins found in black seed oil include calcium, zinc and magnesium. These are essential for healthy hair growth and help to strengthen hair follicles. In so doing, they promote the growth of stronger hair strands that do not easily break or fall out.
The Strong Antifungal And Antibacterial Properties Of Black Seed Oil
Because of the oil’s strong antifungal and antibacterial properties, it may help address various scalp conditions that affect healthy hair growth. Examples include fungal infections and dandruff.
By addressing these common scalp issues, black seed oil may help encourage stronger hair growth that is less likely to easily shed.
Black Seed Oil Addresses Inflammation Of The Scalp
The various ingredients in black seed oil, especially thymoquinone, fight inflammation. Inflammation is a common contributor to hair loss in many individuals. It also hinders hair regrowth and may encourage hair shedding.
Improved Hair Health And Appearance After Using Black Seed Oil
Black seed oil not only improves scalp and follicular health. It also helps maintain your hair’s overall health. When using the oil, your hair becomes shinier and softer. It also becomes more manageable. This is because the oil helps to lock in moisture. In so doing, it helps to reduce not only hair dryness but also hair breakage.
How To Use Black Seed Oil for Hair Loss
While you can find black seed oil in many hair products, you can use the oil in its natural form in your hair. If using the oil, you can add some to a carrier oil like olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil. This will make the oil more viscous and easier to distribute throughout the scalp and hair. A 50/50 mix of oils is considered most desirable.
After massaging the oil into the scalp for about five minutes, leave it to do its work for about 30 to 45 minutes. The longer you leave it in, the more time it has to do its work.
After leaving in the oil, you can wash it out with shampoo and warm water. You may need to repeat the washing process to ensure you rid your hair of all the oil.
Repeating this process two to three times per week will ensure the best results.
Please note that no research suggests black seed oil can prevent or reverse genetic balding; it may help to slow down the process by promoting follicular health and reducing the rate of hair shedding.
In Closing
It is often said that a woman’s hair is her crowning glory. While we do not hear the same said of men, a receding hairline can also affect how a man sees himself. We tend to associate healthy hair growth in men with youth and vitality. No wonder more and more men the world over have started taking care of their hair. A youthful appearance is often equated with success.
Using black seed oil on the hair and scalp may help stimulate hair regrowth, potentially reducing balding or thinning patches.
Do remember that this is a natural product. Consistency is thus required to see lasting results.
