Posts in category: Beauty & Skincare

It’s always gut-wrenching when you check the hairbrush and see all the hair that came loose, or worse yet, checking the drain after a long shower.

So many of us are paranoid about our hair thinning and falling out, but worrying only makes it worse!

It’s normal to lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair per day, but it does seem like quite a lot, considering hair only grows about 1 cm within a month.

Luckily, to help put your nerves to rest, there are many different natural ways to prevent hair loss using the ingredients you already have at home!

What Causes Hair Loss

Scary as it may seem, hair loss is extremely common!

About fifty percent of women in their fifties experience significant hair thinning and loss, but it can start as early as in your twenties and thirties.

Men also experience hair loss in the form of “male pattern baldness”; by the age of thirty-five, two-thirds of American men will experience some degree of hair loss, and by the age of fifty, approximately 85% of men have significantly thinning hair.

Despite what you may have heard, the tip to control hair fall and determine future hair loss can’t be done just by looking at how much hair your mother’s father had.

Men’s hair loss typically starts with a receding hairline and overall hair thinning at the crown of the head.

For men, hair loss can be traced primarily to one thing – your sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (known as DHT, which is the hormone created by the body’s testosterone).

Just by taking a swab of saliva, DNA tests can determine your DHT sensitivity and show you your odds for balding and how you’ll react to specific types of hair loss medications.

For women, getting to the root cause of hair loss is much more difficult.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and is vital to the health and growth of your hair, as well as many other things to keep your body functioning at 100%.

As you age, your body produces less and less collagen which can make the skin and scalp thinner and hair follicles more brittle.

There are many things that can cause hair loss in women, but many result in less-than-adequate levels of collagen.

Some general tips to control hair loss can be found by first understanding the causes of hair loss and how to avoid certain risk factors.

Hair loss and fall out can often be boiled down to any one or more of the following causes:

• Age: Hair loss is a natural part of life that occurs more and more as we age!
• Family history (heredity): Family history is the biggest indicator of hair loss patterns.
• Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and thyroid problems can all cause varying degrees of hair loss. Many women also experience postpartum hair loss.
• Medical conditions: Lupus, diabetes, thyroid diseases, and alopecia areata are common medical conditions that cause the hair to fall out.
• Medications: Hair loss can be a side effect of certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout, and high blood pressure.
• Poor nutrition: Diet and sleep are the keys to living a healthy life as well as retaining hair thickness. A diet insufficient in vitamins and minerals such as iron, copper, vitamin D, zinc, and proteins can as well as sudden weight loss due to poor nutrition, can trigger hair loss.
• Radiation therapy: This results in temporary hair loss but could also affect how your hair grows in the future.
• Stress: Stress causes temporary hair loss and general thinning of the hair after experiencing significant physical or emotional stress.
• Hairstyles and heat damage: Hairstyles that pull your hair tight can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Heat damage can also cause hair to fall out.

But fear not.

Below, we’ll share some tried and true natural hair loss remedies that you can whip up from home to treat hair loss.

But before that, let’s explore two traditional approaches to preventing hair loss that have less to do with ingredients and more to do with holistic healing.

Ayurvedic Cure for Hair Loss

Ayurveda is the centuries-old science of natural medicine that originated in India over 5000 years ago.

Ayurveda means the science of life (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge).

It encompasses both science and philosophy and takes a holistic approach to healing the body and treating afflictions.

Ayurveda categorizes the human body into three categories derived from the elements: Vata (Ether and Air), Pitta (Fire and Water) and Kapha (Earth and Water).

Ayurveda uses the same natural ingredients and approaches that have been used for centuries to heal the body’s ailments.

When it comes to hair loss, Ayurveda attributes it to an excess of pitta, which causes the body to overheat and the hair to fall out.

The goal of treating hair loss is to balance pitta and cool the body down with natural remedies and diet.

For instance, to stop hair from falling out in excess:

• Wash the hair with cold water and massage with coconut oil, amla oil, aloe vera, or brahmi oil to cool the scalp and stimulate the hair follicles
• Avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day
• Avoid stress, which aggravates pitta
• Increase your intake of fresh vegetables and fruits
• Eat “cool” foods that contain cooling spices such as cumin, coriander, fennel, mint, cilantro, parsley, and turmeric rather than spicy foods
• Relax by practicing yoga and meditating on coolness and healing

Traditional Chinese Hair Loss Treatment

Another natural and effective hair loss treatment was developed using Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, is based on the ancient principles of creating harmony and balance within the body and restoring Qi.

TCM also approaches healing holistically and believes that the body is not solely defined by the organs and systems it carries, but also as the home of the mind and spirit; it focuses on how the parts of the mind, spirit, and body affect the functions of other parts of the holistic “body”.

Generally, in the case of the scalp and hair, TCM dictates that your hair and scalp’s health is directly dependent on the health of your liver and kidney.

If they are stressed or unhealthy, it can decrease blood flow to the head, causing the hair to fall out and turn gray.

Chinese herbs have been used for centuries to treat various ailments and have been proven to be effective over time.
To balance your Qi, heal the scalp, and prevent further hair loss:

• Massage the scalp with an herb called He Shou Wu. This herb has a restorative property essential to the kidney and blood and has been found to stimulate hair growth.
• Massage the scalp with ginseng, which stimulates blood circulation and promotes cell metabolism.

9 Natural DIY Hair Loss Treatments

Like Ayurveda and TCM’s approaches to treating hair loss, we believe that the best remedies for hair loss are the ones that can be done at home, using simple, clean, natural ingredients.

For any of the below anti hair loss remedies, remember to massage the ingredients into the scalp.

Massage stimulates the scalp and can also reduce stress, one of the leading causes of hair loss.

1) Aloe vera

Aloe vera works wonders for the skin and hair and has been used in skincare routines for centuries.

Aloe can soothe the scalp and clean the hair of excess oils without stripping it.

Aloe is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

It can also be used to treat dandruff and skin conditions such as alopecia that may cause inflammation and small wounds on the scalp.

Aloe is most effective when harvested straight from the plant, but pure aloe vera gels or shampoos containing aloe can also be used to prevent hair loss.

You can apply pure aloe vera gel directly to your scalp and hair a few times per week or do your own aloe vera hair loss treatment by following the recipe below:

• 1. If using fresh aloe vera from the plant, take the stalk of aloe vera and extract the pulp.
• 2. Apply about ½ cup to your hair and massage into the scalp. Leave it for about 45 minutes.
• 3. Rinse! You can do this three to four times a week to see better results.

2) Coconut oil

Coconut oil contains fatty acids that penetrate the hair shaft and reduce protein loss from hair.

Coconut oil hair masks are easy to customize (like adding one of the below ingredients in this list) to make your own best home remedy for hair loss.

Here’s a basic frame of a recipe that will help keep your hair healthy and strong to fight hair loss:

• 1. Use a spray bottle to wet your hair.
• 2. Then, apply the warm (not hot) coconut oil evenly over your damp hair.
• 3. Apply more coconut oil to the driest sections of your hair, typically the ends, and less on the healthier parts of your hair, typically near the scalp, to avoid making the hair greasy.
• 4. Once you’ve coated all your hair, place a shower cap over your head and let the mask sit for 1 to 2 hours or overnight for severely dry hair.
• 5. Rinse out with lukewarm water and shampoo and condition as normal.

3) Onion Juice

We know this one might sound a little scary, but if you can handle the smell of onion, it’s well worth trying an onion treatment for hair loss.

Onion juice has been shown to promote hair growth!

Onions’ sulfur content helps to increase blood circulation in the scalp and promote collagen growth to keep your skin and hair healthy.

Onions also have antibacterial properties that treat scalp infections and dandruff.

• 1. To extract onion juice, simply throw peeled onions in the blender then squeeze the juice out using cheesecloth.
• 2. Apply the juice to your scalp and hair and leave in for at least 15 minutes.
• 3. Shampoo and condition as normal. Repeat throughout the week to see results quicker!

4) Castor oil

Many people use castor oil for hair loss treatment to grow a longer, healthier, thicker head of hair!

Though there are not many studies that have been done to concretely prove its effectiveness, the ricinoleic acid in castor oil can help to lock in moisture and keep your scalp hydrated and healthy which is essential to hair growth and many rave over its benefits.

Just apply from root to tip and cover with a shower cap. After you let it sit for an hour or two, you’re done!

Just make sure to use a gentle shampoo to remove the excess.

5) Fenugreek

Fenugreek seeds can be used to cure hair fall, hair thinning, baldness, and dandruff.

Fenugreek seeds are a rich source of iron and protein and contain flavonoids and saponins, which are anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and may induce hair growth.

Fenugreek can be taken orally with supplements or applied topically like you would with any other hair oil for your own DIY fenugreek hair loss treatment.

6) Rosemary oil

Rosemary has strong antiseptic properties that help treat the scalp.

When the essential oil is applied to the scalp, it has potent and proven abilities to stimulate hair growth!

However, because it is so potent, it needs to be diluted before being applied to the scalp.

• 1. Add two to four drops of rosemary essential oil in two tablespoons of warm coconut oil.
• 2. After that, massage the oil on your scalp for about ten minutes working through the roots to the tips and cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes.
• 3. Remove the shower cap, wash your hair and repeat two times a week for hair growth.

7) Apple cider vinegar

Hair loss can also be caused when the hair follicles become clogged due to excess oil and product buildup.

This then causes bacteria to build up and the hair to fall out. To clean the scalp and remove buildup and restore your scalp’s pH, try this apple cider vinegar rinse:

• 1. Wash hair with shampoo and conditioner.
• 2. Mix a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with water.
• 3. Pour over the hair, focusing on the scalp, and massage.
• 4. Rinse

8) Egg

Yes, the humble egg has now earned its place as a natural cure for hair loss!

Eggs have a high level of protein, which promotes hair regrowth.

It also contains growth-promoting vitamins like biotin, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin D, which are naturally found in healthy hair.

You can apply egg yolks directly to the scalp as a deep conditioning treatment or add a little coconut oil with your egg to help it spread. After about an hour, rinse with cold water (please don’t cook it) and wash.

9) Olive Oil

Last but not least, olive oil is a great ally to healthy skin and hair growth!

Make sure you reach for pure virgin olive oil with no additives.

The amount you use depends on if you want to apply just to the scalp or also to the shaft of the hair.

Just heat it up, apply, let it sit for 30 mins, rinse, wash, and presto – you’re on your way to a thick, healthy mane!

It is your perpetual effervescence that makes your life magical, Aquarius. And the best part is that you don’t even have to do anything about it. It is an innate part of who you are, just remember that you need to only keep listening to that voice within to take consistent breaks as and when you are drawn to, recoil and recoup whenever you feel the need to and perhaps even set up a routine – meditation, exercise, yoga or anything else – that gets you grounded and anchored and is an assured me-time practice you set up. Staying upbeat becomes easy when there is a balance between give and take.

Cosmic tip: Listen to your inner wisdom to stay vibrant.

You want to achieve flawless, even skin tone but nothing seems to be working. A wide range of factors such as age, genetics, environment, and lifestyle choices can all impact achieving an even skin tone. Many people struggle to achieve an even complexion after making a few changes to their skin care routine. We talked to our Skin Health Experts to get the low down on evening out skin tone and laid out tips and tricks for achieving a glowing, even complexion. First, it’s important to understand the possible causes of an uneven skin tone.

What Causes Uneven Skin Tone?

Uneven skin tone is a common issue that many people struggle with, affecting people all across the globe. These are not all the causes of uneven skin tone, however, the factors below are well known culprits:

• Sun exposure
• Genetics
• Aging
• Certain medications.

It’s worth noting that certain skin types are more prone to uneven skin tone than others. People with darker skin tend to struggle more when it comes to dark spots because the extra melanin production triggered by hormones or trauma makes dark skin more susceptible to hyperpigmentation.

There are ways to reduce the appearance of uneven skin and skin discoloration by making a few changes to your skincare routine. Here are a few tips on how to even skin tone by not only attempting to reduce uneven skin tone in the short term, but also ways to prevent the chances of more dark spots in the future.

How To Even Skin Tone

1) Exfoliate Regularly

When working to fix uneven skin tone, adding in an exfoliating product to your skincare routine is crucial to see success. Exfoliating aids in removing dead skin cells that can clog pores, cause acne, and dark circles that make skin tone uneven. Additionally, it promotes cell renewal which helps to leave the skin softer and more radiant. There is a balance when it comes to exfoliating. Even though it’s an important step to add to your routine, it’s important not to over-exfoliate. Over exfoliation could lead to dryness or even more breakouts. That is why choosing the right exfoliating face scrubs can be a challenge. We’ve taken the guesswork out by offering a few tips on how to exfoliate based on your skin type.

Exfoliating for Dry Skin:

Look for a skin treatment exfoliant with hydrating components, such as glycerin or lactic acid. A gentle scrub or chemical exfoliant can help reveal a brighter face if your skin is visibly dry and dehydrated. A skincare regimen for dry skin should include products that are both hydrating and gentle on the skin. You want to stick to mild products that won’t strip your skin of natural moisture while also clearing away your dead skin cells.

Exfoliating for Oily Skin:

Small-bead scrubs or chemical exfoliants containing alpha-hydroxy acid can help eliminate surplus oil and reduce the visibility of large pores. Sometimes, having oily skin can lead to frequent breakouts in which case you could benefit from an acne treatment skin care routine which can include products ranging from cleansers, moisturizers, and targeted acne treatments.

Exfoliating for Sensitive Skin:

Skincare products for sensitive skin are formulated using gentle ingredients specifically for skin that is easily irritated. When it comes to exfoliating, choose a gentle exfoliant like a cream-based scrub or lactic acid resurfacing treatment for those with delicate skin. Avoid using any rubbing motion, and always try a new product on a small area first.

You can significantly improve how to even skin tone and decrease uneven skin tone by exfoliating frequently and using the best skincare products for your skin type. Calm and hydrate your skin after exfoliating by using a moisturizer and you’ll be well on your way to attaining a flawless complexion.

2) Choose the Right Moisturizer

Choosing the correct moisturizer can help to address skin pigmentation and uneven complexion. A great face moisturizer hydrates your face throughout the day if used during your AM and PM skin care routine. In the morning, a moisturizer can also be used as a primer for makeup application. At night, a moisturizer can help nourish and re-hydrate your face by locking in moisture. When choosing any skin care product, you should think about your skin goals and your skin type. A light, oil-free moisturizer that won’t block your pores is an option for those with oily skin. For dry skin texture, a thick, creamy moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated and nurtured. We recommend trying new products on small areas of your wrist or neck first so that you can see how your skin responds, especially if you’re unsure of your skin type.

Finding a moisturizer with the right ingredients for your skin type is important. When working to brighten skin tone, look for a vitamin C moisturizer or serum– vitamin C has been shown to reduce the look of dark spots by brightening skin and increasing collagen production making it an ideal ingredient to add to your routine. Other than Vitamin C, some of the best ingredients for dark spots include glycolic acid and niacinamide.

3) SPF, SPF, SPF!

No matter what your skin type is, it’s important to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays by applying daily SPF into your morning routine. The list of damage caused by overexposure to the sun’s UV rays includes: sun spots, long-term skin damage, redness, discoloration, and even skin cancer. You should always wear sunscreen or use other products with SPF protection if you want to keep your skin glowing, long-term.

For people with acne-prone or sensitive skin, look for sunscreens labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means they are formulated specifically to not cause breakouts. Avoid sunscreens with oils or fragrances that may irritate sensitive skin.

When you’re outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for added protection. If you plan on being in direct sunlight for an extended period of time, consider wearing a rash guard shirt or a long-sleeved shirt and pants.

Exfoliating regularly, using the right moisturizer and protecting your skin from sun damage are only three of the steps you can take to help your skin look its best and to help achieve even skin tone.

4) Be Consistent with Your Skincare Routine

Having a consistent skincare routine is key to achieving an even skin tone. A simple daily regimen can make a huge difference to keeping your skin healthy and achieve an even skin tone. We recommend starting with at least these four products to include in your daily routine:

• Cleanser: A gentle cleanser in the morning and at night helps to remove dirt, excess oil, and impurities that can accumulate on the surface of your skin throughout the day. This creates a clean slate for the rest of your skincare routine.
• Toner: Following your cleanse, a toner can help restore your skin’s pH balance.
• Moisturizer: Apply a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
• SPF: Even on cloudy days, applying sunscreen daily should be included in your routine. We recommend SPF following your moisturizer and before applying any makeup. Sun exposure can damage the skin and produce excess melanin that contributes to an uneven skin texture and skin tone.

Exfoliating can be incorporated into the routine on a weekly basis. You should only exfoliate once or twice a week. Exfoliating can help remove dead skin cells that may be leading to dull complexion and causing uneven skin tone.

Maintaining and prioritizing a consistent skincare routine can help your skin stay healthy with an even tone. Everyone’s skincare routine can and should look different. Products with fragrances or harsh ingredients could irritate or dry out your skin. Look for skin care products that are going to be the best option for your skin type.

Enjoy beautiful, even, glowing skin that is free of blemishes and discoloration when you put time and attention toward your skincare routine. At Kate Somerville, we want you to find skin care products that suit your skin goals. From our EradiKate line to our ExfoliKate line, our custom-designed formulas are designed to help your skin restore its natural complexion for a youthful glow.

Sources:

1. Kang HY, Lee JW, Papaccio F, Bellei B, Picardo M. Alterations of the pigmentation system in the aging process. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research. 2021;34(4):800-813. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/pcmr.12994
2. Hyperpigmentation: Why It Happens and How to Treat It Based on Your Skin Tone. Dermatology Physicians Group Chicago Illinois. Published November 15, 2019. Accessed March 31, 2023.
3. https://dpgchicago.com/hyperpigmentation-why-it-happens-and-how-to-treat-it-based-on-your-skin-tone/#:~:text=People%20with%20darker%20skin%20are,are%20more%20susceptible%20to%20hyperpigmentation.
4. Rattanawiwatpong P, Wanitphakdeedecha R, Bumrungpert A, Maiprasert M. Anti‐aging and brightening effects of a topical treatment containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract: A split‐face, randomized controlled trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(3):671-676. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13305
5. DeAngelis RT, Hargrove TW, Hummer RA. Skin Tone and the Health Returns to Higher Status. Demography. 2022;59(5):1791-1819. doi:https://doi.org/10.1215/00703370-10191675