Hair has been regarded as a sign of beauty and power for as long as one can remember. Judges in olden days wore wigs as mark of authority whereas monks shave their scalp as part of their renunciation of all worldly pleasures and to render themselves unattractive to the opposite sex.
Hair loss does not affect you just cosmetically but emotionally and socially. Research reveals how deeply hair loss can impact your life.
Emotionally, a high percentage of people experiencing hair loss are known to suffer from low self esteem and depression as a result of this problem, be it men or women
However, the most important aspect of hair loss is its medical implication. Loss of hair is almost always a sign of an internal disorder. It is often first warning signal of many deep seated ailments including thyroid, Diabetes and anemia.
Causes of Hair loss & Thinning
1. Androgenetic Alopecia – male or female pattern baldness
2. Auto immune diseases – an immune reaction that attacks the hair follicles, producing
antibodies which attack these tissues as if they were foreign invaders.
Androgenic Alopecia – the body’s immune system is sensitized to increased levels of DHT in the scalp causing hair loss in these high concentrated DHT areas
Alopecia Totalis, universalis – immune sensitivity to a substance other than DHT
3. Connective tissue disease – causes scarring of skin, loss of circulation to hair follicles and an autoimmune reaction leading to temporary or permanent loss of hair.
 Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Scleroderma, MCTD, Scarring alopecia
4. Exposure to toxic chemicals –Tobacco smoke contains hundreds of lethal and
damaging chemicals which can accelerate normal hair loss and retard effects of
medication and surgical restoration. This effect can result either from being a
smoker or from second hand smoke. We are exposed to other toxic chemicals
and metals through work, hobbies and environment. They can be present in our
homes (ie.: lead, aluminum, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, etc.) Exposure can be
environmental and/or ingested through food sources.
5. Radiation exposure – Irradiation therapy or exposure to radiation from any source can cause localized or total hair loss, which may be permanent if thevdose is high enough.
6. Iron deficiency anemia – very common with women but can also affect men.
7. Hormonal changes – due to pregnancy, birth control pills, other medications,
and menopause.
8. Thyroid disease – either hypothyroid or hyperthyroid disease causes hair to become brittle and break resulting in localized or generalized loss. Correction of the thyroid condition usually causes hair to re-grow.
9. Stress – usually temporary and transient. Hair may re-grow when stress levels decrease
10. Drug interactions – certain vitamins, many prescriptions and over the counter (OTC) supplements may have individual and non-specific side effects of hairloss. Usually, when the medication is discontinued, the hair re-grows.
 Excessive Vitamin A has been linked to some hair loss scenarios.
11.Others: Exposure to toxic chemicals –Tobacco smoke contains hundreds of lethal and
damaging chemicals which can accelerate normal hair loss and retard effects of medication and surgical restoration. This effect can result either from being a smoker or from second hand smoke. We are exposed to other toxic chemicals and metals through work, hobbies and environment. They can be present in our homes (ie.: lead, aluminum, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, etc.) Exposure can be
environmental and/or ingested through food sources.
Individual reaction to illness or a personal sensitivity to the environment, Chemotherapy, Fungal and bacterial infections, Cosmetic procedures like perming, crimping , straightening and colouring are enormously contributory factors, and should be avoided as far as possible.Also
• Androgenetic Alopecia- In men it is the most common cause of hair loss, In women the hormonal changes that occur at the time of menopause and post delivery are responsible.
• Alopecia Areata - In this type of hair loss, hair usually falls out, resulting in totally smooth, round patches about the size of a coin or larger. It can, rarely, result in complete loss of scalp and body hair.
• Thyroid Disease - Both an over-active thyroid and an under-active thyroid can cause hair loss.
• Low Serum Iron - Iron deficiency occasionally produces hair loss. Some people don't have enough iron in their diets or may not fully absorb iron. Women who have heavy menstrual periods may develop iron deficiency.
• Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania) - People with trichotillomania pull hair on various parts of their bodies, including the scalp, face, arms, legs and pubic areas. They may not notice the hair pulling until they need to cover up bald patches.
• Medications - Some prescription drugs used for gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems, high doses of vitamin A & birth Control Pills may cause hair loss
Other causes includes high Fever, Severe Infection, Severe Flu , Inadequate Protein in Diet ,Major Surgery/Chronic Illness ,Fungus Infection (Ringworm) of the Scalp.



Homeopathy & Hair Remedy
This is of utmost importance to understand that hair loss is almost always a sign of an internal disorder or disease. Very often patients try over the counter prescriptions or “tried and tested” beauty parlor remedy for hair & this remedy fail because they don’t identify the cause of the hair loss.
Homoeopathy is an excellent answer to hair loss. Its personalized approach is ideal for hair treatment since hair is as distinctive as fingerprints. Homeopathy is absolutely safe without any side effects, and works from within to treat the underline disorder that is causing the hair loss thus providing a permanent solution.
A consultation with a qualified homeopath will invest a great deal of time and care in asking questions to uncover your constitution. Doctors ask about not only your hair loss and heredity but also how you are affected by environmental factors such as weather and temperature, the types of foods you like or dislike and your moods and feelings; a thorough medical history will be taken in order to establish a complete picture of you. Your current symptoms are then taken into consideration in order to prescribe the correct remedy at the right strength.
In homeopathy, there are more than 100 remedies for alopecia or hair loss. The homeopath has to analyze your case systematically to choose the right medicine for you.
To help classify the hair type, the equipment like video microscope or trichoscan is usefull. These machines even alert to catch and avert impending hair loss before it actually takes place.
Hair Grow Therapy (LLLT) & HFT.

Along with homeopathic medication, use of supporting latest international machines is also useful in stimulating blood circulation and proven to help hair loss. But it has to be complimented by medication.

• LLLT (Low Level Laser Therapy): The recent developments showed that low level lasers can also be used in treating hair loss and other skin diseases that usually occurs on the scalp. Low intensity laser energy works by absorbing the lasers into the scalp which stimulates cellular activity and hair growth. Absorption of light by the hair follicle molecules is essential in order for biological reaction to be stimulated in the molecules. Laser light reactions stimulated in cytochrome c sends signals throughout cells of the hair follicle, stimulating enhanced gene activity, decreased gene-regulated cell death, and other changes that enhance cell activity and survival.
• HFT ( High Frequency Therapy): A high frequency current which stimulates the surface of the scalp by means of massaging the cells of the scalp, also supposed to improve the process of nourishment, stimulate local blood circulation, stimulate local glandular activity, supplies heat and is soothing to the nervous system of the scalp.

Science of hair waving

Introduction
Since ancient cultures curly hair represented femininity and beauty. Women with straight hair purchased expensive wigs or spent hours for hair ondulation with water and heat, which was temporary.
Ÿ Permanent hair waving is a two-step chemical treatment modifying hair protein to achieve and retain a curly shape.
Ÿ The chemical treatment involves a thioglycolate reduction reaction that plasticizes hair while being wound on a rod. The following oxidation step with hydrogen peroxide reforms the hair in a new curly shape.
Ÿ Curl retention depends on hair thickness, rod diameter, and hair quality.
Ÿ Undesirable hair damage can occur with the wrong choice of perm and neutralizer, too much heat, incorrect processing time, or improper perm solution amount.

Chemophysical principles of hair waving

Because of hair’s great elasticity and strong resilient forces, it quickly resumes its original straight shape. Therefore it has to be softened and subsequently rehardened chemically to maintain a conformation change. Especially with permanent waving, it is important to select a reversible reaction to allow repeated treatments without hair destruction. The sulfur bridges of the amino acid cystine, linking the proteins, are best suited.
The conditions for permanent waving to be well tolerated are:

Low temperature (20-50®C), convection or contact heat;
ŸShort process time (5-30 minutes); and
Mildness to the skin.

A permanent wave occurs with two solutions:
Solution 1: the perming lotion, which contains a reducing agent, a “thiol” compound, designed to split off about 20-40% of hair cystine bonds.
Solution 2 : a fixing lotion, which contains an oxidizing agent, usually hydrogen peroxide, designed to rebuild cystine bridges between proteins at new sites in the curled hair shape. It must be emphasized that permanent waving is a two-step procedure where the chemical reaction and physical effects run in parallel reduction of disulfide-bonds, softening of hair, lateral swelling and length contraction, stress development and protein flow, then re-oxidation of cystin bonds and deswelling, fixation of a new curly shape.

Urticaria is not a very pleasant thing to have. patients are taking long allopathy treatment with steroids and all and when they come up to homeopath for it we have perfect treatment plan for it

LETS SEE what it is

URTICARIA
Synonyam
Nettle rash; Hives ; Weals.
Definition
Urticaria is a commonly seen clinical condition where there is a transient eruption of raised and circumscribed erythematous or oedematous swellings of the superficial dermis, associated with itching
There are a variety of its clinical variants seen, two of which are:
· Angioedema (angioneurotic oedema, giant urticaria, Quinke’s oedema) Consists of transient swellings in the deeper dermal, subcutaneous and Submucosal tissues. Urticaria and angioedema often occur together and for practical purposes are similar processes. However, the form of pure angioedema that is caused by CI esterase inhibitor deficiency shows some differences clinically and in response to treatment.
Systemic anaphylaxis is an acute life- threatening condition induced by an IgE- medicated allergic reaction. It consists of a combination of symptoms and signs including diffuse erythema, pruritus, urticaria, angioedema, hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias. A similar clinical picture from non- allergic causes is called a systemic anaphylactoid reaction.
Classification & Etiology
Urticaria can be broadly classified in terms of ‘duration’ or its ‘trigger factors’.
1. In terms of duration, Urticaria can be divided into acute and chronic forms. Acute Urticaria is usually self- limited and the weals commonly resolve within 24 hours, but may last up to 4- 6 weeks. In chronic urticaria the weals continue daily or on most days for longer than 6 weeks. Acute urticarias are more common in young adults of both sexes, whereas chronic urticarias are more commonly seen in women, in their fourth or fifth decades. A cause or trigger factor can be easily found in acute urticaria, as compared to the chronic form.

2. When classified in terms of trigger factors, it can be divided into:

a. Nonimmunologic or nonallergic or ordinary urticaria:

These are caused by degranulation of mast cells and hista-mine release by mechanisms not involving antigen- anti- body reaction. The most commonly seen causative factors of nonallergic urticaria are:



* Drugs: Anesthetics, angiotensin converting enzyme in- hibitors, aspirin and other non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs, codeine, morphine, penicillin, cephalospor-ins, sulfonamides and other antibiotics, diuretics, iodides, bromides, quinine, vancomycin, isoniazid and antiepileptic agents.

* Food: Chocolates, eggs, fish milk and products, nuts, pork, shellfish, strawberries, tomato, and yeast.

* Food additives: Hydroxybenzoates, salicylates, sulhites, and tartrazine.

* Inhalants: Animal danders, grass pollens, house dust, mould spores, new perfumes.

* Infections: Pharyngitis, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory, fungal (e.g., scabies), HIV and parasitic infections (e.g., ascaris, strongyloides, schistosoma, and trichinella).

* Systemic disorders: Amyloidosis, carcinoma, hyperthy- roidism, lymphoma, polycythemia vera, polymyositis, rheumatic arthritis (RA), and SLE

* Physical: Cold, exercise, friction, perspiration, pressure, and sunlight.

* Miscellaneous: Contact with nickel (e.g., cheap jewelry, jean stud buttons), latex, nail polish or rubber (e.g., gloves and elastic bands); emotional or physical stress; pregnancy (usually occurs in last trimester and typically resolves spontaneously soon after delivery); and recent use of new clothes, creams, detergents, or lotions.



b. Immunlogic or allergic or idiopathic or autoimmune urticaria: Genes

tend to play a role in a few urticarial conditions, where a strong personal or

family history of atopic disorders can usually be found. Angioedema and a

few rare urticarial variants can be of a hereditary type occurring due to a

CI esterase inhibitor deficiency.



Clinical Features

The urticarial lesions begins as itchy erythematous macules, which develop into weals consisting of pale-pink or red, oedematous, raised skin areas, of varying shapes and sizes, often with a surrounding flare. These usually transient and migratory lesions can form linear, annular (circular) or actuate (serpiginous) patterns, and can occur anywhere on the body in variable numbers. These wheals are generally very itchy, especially at night, but the patients tend to usually rub the part, rather than scratch and thus these lesions resolve leaving a normal skin surface, without any excoriation marks. In a number of cases, these weals are seen to get worse in the evenings or nights and also usually before menses. Urticarial vasculitis should be suspected if the lesions last for more than 24 hours.

Half the cases of urticaria are associated with angioedema, where large, non-pruritic or slightly itchy, non-pitting, pale or pink, diffuse swellings occur, especially on the face, affecting the eyelids, lips, tongue, pharynx and larynx, hands, feet, genitalia,ears,and neck. These lesions may last for several days.



In a few cases urticaria or angioedema can be associated with systemic symptoms like malaise, fever, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, arthralgia, feeling of a lump in the throat, hoarseness, wheezing, shortness of breath, and syncope, and in its most severe acute from with anaphylaxis.



Diagnosis

Specific laboratory studies are not generally indicated. Instead a detailed personal and family case history is taken in suspected clinical cases, especially as regards to pervious attacks, and an attempt made to find out the trigger factors, through in more than half the cases no particular cause can be traced.

In few cases a fluoroimmunoassay may help in detection of food allergies undetected by routine examination and testing.



Differential Diagnosis

* Anaphylaxis.
* Erythema multiforme.



Treatment

Education on avoidance of the suspected offending allergen is essential.



In cases of angioedema or anahylaxis, timely emergency care needs to be taken in a hospital setting, with checking of vital statistics and checking for air flow in the respiratory passage, and if needed administering oxygen. In a few cases, intubation or even tracheostomy may be required, where there is laryngeal obstruction due to angioedema.



Homeopathic Approach to Urticaria

Homeopathy has maximum scope in the above condition, as modern medicine has nothing more to offer other than antihistaminics.

The following pattern should be observed most meticulously whilst treating the patient:

* Confirm whether the lesions fits into urticarial rash. The typical lesion should include a rosy – red, erythematous macule with edematous weals. The erythema fades on pressure.
* Time of aggravation. I have found a night aggravation more common.
* Dose urticaria alternate with any other complaint? Especially asthma or rheumatism.
* Always ask whether urticaria is preceded by any other symptoms like nausea, chill, menses, etc.
* Inquire as to which season the patients develops urticaria and at what temperature e.g. hot room, cold room, open air, near the seashore, etc.
* The most important factor that helps us to eliminate majority of the drugs is the patient’s feeling of wellbeing after an application of heat or cold.
* Try and find out which particular foodstuff aggravates the condition, especially shellfish, sweets, meat, chocolates, etc.
* Has the patient got any emotional stress?
* I have seen many patients of urticaria who have a history of worm infestation. Therefore one should inquire for any history of worms. Also history of insects bites or contact with any plants or ingestion of drugs like penicillin or salicylates.
* Sometimes physical factors especially exposure to sun, excessive physical exertion and exercise lead to urticaria.

All the above should be thoroughly scrutinized to get the maximum data. In very rare cases, patient may develop swelling of face with laryngeal obstruction. At that time the patient should be shifted to a homeopathic hospital and his airway should be kept clear with endotracheal intubation and oral drugs like chlorum, etc. should be administered

The treatment consists of not only giving the indicated homeopathic drugs, but to eliminate the offending agent e.g. eliminative diet, withdrawal of causative drug, treatment of parasitic infection, correction of the existing physical stress. During an acute attack the patient should be kept on a bland diet- alcohol, tea and coffee are preferably avoided. Finally reassurance should be given to the patients who have chronic urticaria.



Some Important Homeopathic Remedies and Certain Important Rubrics Helpful in Clinical practice

Astacus fluviatilis, Bacillus proteus, Bombyx, Chloralum hydratum. Medusa, Santoninum, Tilia, Boletus luridus, Copaiva.

- Urticaria wrose at night: Apis, Bov, Chlol, Cop.

- Urticaria alternating with asthma: Apis.

- Giant urticaria: Lyc, Stroph-h.

- Chronic urticaria: Hygroph-s.

- Urticaria during fever: Rhus-t.

- Extremely giant urticaria: Antip, Bacillus no. 7, Bol-lu, Santin.

- Urticaria associated with lot of Edema: Cortico.





Copaiva officinalis: Hives with fever and constipation. Chronic urticaria in children. Itching < at night and during fever. Urticaria over whole body with red face. Skin dry and hot with violent itching. Severe headache with urticaria.

Dulcamara: Hives comes on at night, especially when nights are cool, with heavy dew, after a hot day or when weather changes from warn to cool and damp. Urticaria with violent cough and edema of glands. Feverish urticaria. Urticaria obliging one to scratch and burning after scratching, every eruption being preceded by sensation of pricking over whole body. Eruption of white, irregular blotches raised upon the skin, surrounded with red areola, appearing in warmth and disappearing in cold. Extremities, face, chest and back violently itching and burning after scratching. Headache, want of appetite, nausea, bitter taste, vomiting, intense aching in pit of stomach and precordial region, restlessness and sleeplessness, night sweats, turbid dark urine, diarrhea, pains in limbs. Urticaria from gastric disorders.

Ichthyolum: Chronic urticaria in patients of uric acid or tuberculous diathesis. Urticaria seen in alcoholics and especially in old people. Most important concomitant is intense appetite.

Medusa: face, arms shoulders and breasts. Oedema – face, eyes, nose, ears and lips. Burning, pricking, itching sensation associated with urticaria.



~ DR AJAY YADAV

reference from

skin homeopathy approch to dermatology from F .J MASTER

skin disease and homeopathy therapetics J.H ALLEN

PHATAK MATERIA MEDICA

PHATAK REPERTORY
reperty added by dr r SARSWAT
REPERTORY
by Oscar E. BOERICKE, M.D.

CAUSE

Emotion [from] -- Anac., Bov., Ign., Kali br.
Exertion, excessive [from] -- Con., Nat. m.
Exposure [from] -- Chloral., Dulc., Rhus t.
Gastric derangement [from] -- Ant. c., Ars., Carbo v., Cop., Dulc., Nux v., Puls., Robin., Triost.
Menstrual conditions [from] -- Bell., Cim., Dulc., Kali c., Mag. c., Puls., Ustil
Shellfish, roe [from] -- Camph.
Suppressed malaria [from] -- Elat.
Sweat [from] -- Apis.

CONCOMITANTS

Catarrh [with] -- Cepa, Dulc.
Chill [with]

Intermittents [of] -- Ign., Nat. m.

Constipation, fever [with] -- Cop.
Croup [with], alternating -- Ars.
Diarrhœa [with] -- Apis, Bov., Puls.
Edema [with] -- Apis, Vespa.
Erosion [with], on toes -- Sul.
Itching [with], burning after scratching; no fever -- Dulc.
Liver disturbance [with] -- Astac.
Petechial disturbance, or erysipelatous eruption [with] -- Fragar.
Rheumatic lameness, palpitation, diarrhœa [with] -- Bov., Dulc.
Rheumatism [with], alternating -- Urt.
Sequelæ [with], from suppressed hives -- Apis, Urt.
Sudden coming and going [with] -- Antipyr.
Sudden, violent onset; syncope [with] -- Camph.

MODALITIES

AGGRAVATIONS

Climacteric [At] -- Morph., Ustil.
Menstrual period [At] -- Cim., Dulc., Kali c., Mag. c.
Night [At] -- Ant. c., Ars.
Bathing, walking in A. M. [from] -- Bov.
Cold [from] -- Ars., Dulc., Rhus t., Rumex, Sep.
Exertion, exercise [from] -- Apis, Calc. c., Hep., Nat. m., Psor., Sanic., Urt.
Fruit, pork, buckwheat [from] -- Puls.
Open air [from] -- Nit. ac., Sep.
Spirituous drinks [from] -- Chloral.
Warmth [from] -- Apis, Dulc., Kali c., Lyc., Sul.
Children [In] -- Cop.
Periodically, every year -- Urt.

AMELIORATIONS

Cold water [from] -- Apis, Dulc.
Hot drinks [from] -- Chloral.
Open air [from] -- Calc. c.
Warmth [from] -- Ars., Chloral, Sep.

Hair Care; Ayurvedic approach
(Dr. Santosh Jalukar)

Importance of hair:
The moment a person looks into a mirror, first he shapes the hair. Practically it is a dead tissue like nails which does not have nerve endings. Even then we try to take care from all different angles. There are end numbers of products in the market for hair care. More and more products are being introduced daily and are being advertised in various media. Few years ago some hair oil was introduced in the market claiming that it will even grow hair on the palms. The company made huge sale and then the truth was revealed. Hair is such an important feature for humans that people spend enormous amount and time for its care. One Marathi poem “Shepta”, written by advocate Ratnaparkhi has a great humor hidden in the contents. One boy appeared for SSC exam and a girl sitting ahead on the bench had wonderful long hair. This poor guy was simply staring at her hair and could not even write a single word in the exam. Apart from humor in this poem, it is true that hair has phenomenal role in the life of human being. It is therefore essential to understand various aspects of hair care from Ayurvedic point of view.
What is Hair?
According to Ayurvedic theory, hair is a bi-product of bones. If the bones are healthy, the strength and growth of hair will be good. If there are some diseases associated to bones or had a fracture, it seriously affects the hair growth. After successful treatment the hair falling stops and the hair growth becomes noticeable. According to Ayurvedic principles, the bones have Vata dosha and the best treatment to take care of this, is oil. Therefore importance of oil in relation to hair care is unquestionable. It is true that some people have good and strong hair despite not using any oil for life time and some people have serious hair problems even after using good quality of oils. There is an influence of genetic inheritance in such cases and also some role of wrong diet and life style.
Why females are seldom bald:
In males, 30% of adults over the age of 50 are bald. But this ratio is extremely low in case of females. No doubt, females complain more about hair fall but it is also true that they are not totally bald like males. Ayurvedic principle of Dosha may give some explanation in this area. There is regular blood loss by way of menstruation which helps to eliminate Pitta from their body which prevents hair falling. In contrast, males have testosterone hormone which is of Pitta type and hence leads to weaken the hair roots. Testosterone is a male hormone and more of this makes and individual more capable of performing sex. Therefore bald people are sexier than other normal people. Females also have this hormone but the quantity is very less compared to men.
Diseases of hair: Hair falling, dandruff and graying of hair are three main worrying conditions. First of all it is essential to understand that whether they should be really called as diseases? About 10% of the scalp hairs remain in resting phase. The areas are different and this phase remains for about 6 months. During this resting phase, the nutrition to hair roots is deficient and they tend to fall with even little pull. After falling, there is a chance of re-growth at the same place provided the nutrition gets reestablished. Therefore this type of hair falling should not be considered as disease but it’s a part of physiological process. Dandruff is a kind of fungal infection of scalp which is not the disease of hair. Therefore its treatment should have a totally different approach. Using anti-dandruff shampoos is just useful in washing off the dandruff. It has nothing to do with the formation of dandruff. Second important thing about so called anti-dandruff shampoos, they remain in touch with the scalp for just 10-15 seconds. Immediately after foaming, it is washed with water. In such situation how can one expect to have any effect on the skin (scalp)? If you expect some therapeutic activity to exert on the skin, it should remain in contact for at least an hour or so. Therefore dandruff should be treated with good anti fungal lotion like neem, then only it is logical. The third issue about hair is graying at an early age. Basically hair is white in colour. A black coloured protein pigment by the name keratin makes it black. Due to ageing, the body physiology weakens and the production of keratin lessens. Hence the hair colour starts becoming white, which is its original colour indeed. It is like a cloth fades the colour and becomes dull after washing several times.
Hair care approach: Hair falling, dandruff and graying of hair are three main worrying conditions. So let us see one after another. Our diet is responsible for the formation of blood, bones, skin, hair and practically all the tissues in the body. Therefore, for any health concern, dietary modification is one of the most important factors. In case of hair related issues, salt is considered as 1st enemy. Hair falling and graying is very common in those who consume excess salt in the diet. Other preparations like pickles and papad contain more salt as a part of recipe; hence these items should be restricted. It is always good to have slightly less salt than having slightly more as a routine. These small modifications can also prevent hair falling due to genetically inherited pattern to some extent. Ayurvedic embryology states that hair are prominently inherited by father. Hence usually the hair falling starts at the same age as of father’s. There is no thumb rule but in many cases these theories have shown truth. In case of hair treatments, we hardly consider anything except hair-oil and shampoo. There are many factors like diet, lifestyle, exercise, genetic inheritance, oral medicine nasal treatment etc. Our thinking limitations ate restricted to hair oils and shampoos because of the competitive advertisements in media. Many people ask “which is good a shampoo?” The answer to this question is “all are good if the pH is normal”. The most important part of shampoo is the pH should not be acidic or alkaline. The gimmick about herbal shampoos is that, these shampoos contain same chemicals as in the normal shampoo. It only contains little fraction percentage of herbal essence of may be a drop of herbal extract. They are 99.99% same as synthetic shampoo. Then calling them herbal is just a marketing gimmick. It is irrational to expect any added therapeutic effect from such shampoos. Shampoos are just emulsifiers, help to dissolve oily secretions and then wash away with water. They do not have any effect as far as the growth and strength of hair and also nothing to offer towards dandruff control. I don’t mean that chemical shampoos are harmful but using herbal shampoos and expecting some added benefits is absolutely illogical.
How to treat hair fall: There are herbs like Guduchi, Amla, Maka, Brahmi, Gokshur, Kasis, Mandoor, Shringa which stops hair fall in 5 to 7 days. There are some readymade formulations available in the market containing all these ingredients in proper dosage. The oral treatment must be taken for 3 months and should be repeated for another 3 months after a gap of 2-3 weeks. The reason is the body gets used to the recipe and then does not respond unless a break is given. Besides this, oil is the essential constituent for treating hair fall. But only application of oil over the head is not sufficient. It is just like spraying water or fertilizers on the leaves of the plant which does not serve the purpose of nurturing the plant. The oil should reach the base of the scalp. It can be achieved only by putting the drops of oil in the nostrils. Ayurveda defines this treatment modality as Nasya. One should lie down on a bed with the neck tilted down and then put 4 drops of oil in both nostrils. Various formulations are recommended according to the constitution of an individual. For general purpose, plain Til oil (oil expressed from sesame seeds) is good. Chemotherapy treatment is one cause of extreme hair fall. To prevent this, fresh Amla juice 30 to 40 ml twice daily is recommended. This should be started 2 weeks prior to the treatment schedule. It not only prevents hair fall but also supports the treatment and accelerates the healing process owing to strong antioxidant property of this miracle fruit. In case of alopecia areata, (a patchy hair fall) paste made from seed of Jamalgota (Croton seed) should be applied once in a week over the hairless patch. It irritates a lot and some times even blisters may appear on the area. In such event, application of coriander paste can suppress the symptoms.
Summary:
1. Use any shampoo of standard company, its pH should be neutral.
2. Shampoo does not stop the formation of Dandruff, it just helps to wash.
3. Oral medicine is essential to facilitate adequate nutrition to the hair root.
4. Drink fresh Amla (Indian gooseberry) juice regularly.
5. Reduce salt intake and avoid recipes containing more salt like pickles and papad.
6. Nasal medication (Oil drops) is inevitable for getting assured results.
7. Sleep in time, getup in early and perform little but regular exercise.

Dr. Santosh Jalukar (Mumbai)
Tel.: 9969106404

It is well established that sun avoidance
and sunscreen use are important adjuvants
to antiaging regimens. Obviously,
sun avoidance is not always possible and
hardly a popular behavioral adjustment
for many patients. However, patients
should be discouraged from engaging in
unnecessary sun exposure, particularly
between 10 AM and 4 PM, and any exposure
to tanning beds. Sunscreen should
be recommended for use on a daily basis,
even when the patient remains indoors.
Patients should be reminded that UVA
rays have the capacity to pass through
glass, thus individuals are at risk of solar
exposure even in their cars and homes as
well as at work. UVA shields can be
placed on windows, providing some protection.
Sun protective clothing, such as
a broad-brimmed hat and SPF 45 clothing,
should be encouraged for patients
planning any protracted exposure to the
sun. Many patients believe that their sun
exposure is minimal and does not warrant
daily use of sunscreen. Use of a
Wood’s or a UV light to reveal solar damage
is a helpful way to convince patients
of the necessity of sun avoidance. Such a
demonstration will also make them
more likely to employ preventive measures,
such as sunscreens, antioxidants,
and retinoids, when sun avoidance is impractical.