Hair Problems

Hair problems — thinning, breakage, dandruff, premature greying, excess facial hair — are among the most common cosmetic concerns in India. Most are harmless, but all of them deserve real assessment rather than expensive unbranded oils, shampoos, and "Ayurvedic cures".

Major categories

• Hair loss / thinning — see the Hair Loss page. Iron, vitamin D, thyroid, PCOS, recent illness, or pattern hair loss.
• Dandruff and itchy scalp — see Dandruff. Driven by scalp yeast.
• Brittle, breaking hair — often from repeated chemical straightening, bleaching, colouring, heat styling, and tight hairstyles. Stop the damage; it recovers slowly.
• Premature greying (before age 25) — largely genetic; sometimes vitamin B12, thyroid, vitiligo association. Not reversed by hair oils. Colouring is cosmetic.
• Hirsutism — unwanted coarse hair on chin, upper lip, chest, abdomen in women — may indicate PCOS or other hormonal problems. See a doctor.
• Traction alopecia — receding hairline from tight braids, ponytails, hair-extensions.

Hair care basics

• Oil before wash (1–2 hours; don't leave overnight as it feeds scalp yeast).
• Don't over-wash; every 2–3 days is usually enough — daily is fine for oily scalp.
• Use lukewarm water, mild shampoo; don't scrub scalp with nails.
• Limit heat styling, straightening, colouring, and tight hairstyles.
• Protein- and iron-rich diet; handle wet hair gently — it's at its most fragile.

When to see a doctor

• Visible scalp in women, receding hairline in men (pattern hair loss responds better to early treatment).
• Sudden heavy shedding, bald patches, scalp redness.
• Hair loss with fatigue, weight change, periods changes — check iron, thyroid, PCOS.
• Unwanted facial/body hair with irregular periods or acne in women.
• Scarring scalp changes — treat early to save the remaining hair.