I'm been experincing heavy shedding/ hair loss  :'( (chunks of hair falling out in the shower/combing) over the past year. I think the cause might be build up from my conditioners (I have used globs and globs of herbal essences, pantene, and dove sometimes i don't even rinse them out really well) The hair loss is not in patches and there's nothing wrong with me, could it be from build up on the scalp? If so, will vinegar rinses work on my scalp?  ???

And also, could anyone recommend a good no build-up conditioner and a effective clarifying shampoo that has worked?

Typical causes for hair loss:
1.  Stress
2.  Health/nutrition
3.  Genetics
4.  Hair care

Starting with things you can do immediately:
1.  Eat healthy.
2.  Make sure you rinse your shampoo and conditioners out of your hair completely.  Especially the conditioners that have -cones (Pantene and Dove have -cones, I'm not sure about Herbal Essences).
3.  Use a clarifying shampoo, Aussie Mega has worked well for me.  
4.  Try a vinegar rinse after your shampoo and before conditioning.  This will help remove the build up of products on your hair and scalp.
5.  Don't comb/brush your hair when it is wet.  If you have a wide toothed comb or hair pick, you can GENTLY detangle your hair, but don't pull on the hair.
6.  Consider having a check up with a doctor to make sure you are in good health.  Thyroid problems and other ailments can cause hair loss.

:( that has been happening to me too, people keep telling me it;s normal but i'm sure i'm loosing more than 100 hairs a day (isn't that the average)

taking vitamins could help (maybe your doctor could recomend something), and definitley more proteins in your diet,thats a big problem for me since i don't eat red meat :P, but i'm trying to drink more milk (i never liked that either :-/ :P)

hope everything works out for you :)

I agree with what BB and Beesan already wrote.

Just to add, when you comb your hair, it would help to work in sections and comb the bottom first, working your way up. This helps to eliminate huge snarls and knots that are created when combing from the top-down (hopefully cutting down on any hairs that may be pulled out before it's ready to be shed). I hope that explaination made sense.

Let us know if there's any changes with your hair. Good luck!

Everything said by the gang is great.

I want to reiterate - doctor.  It's really the logical thing to do.  Most hairloss can be helped but you just have to find out what's going on.  Even if it's genetic there is a lot that especially men can do.

Regarding the red meat Beesan - that's such an important consideration - I don't eat it either and found out my iron storage (different than simple levels) was quite low even though I eat all sorts of other iron rich foods.  Supplements will take care of that but not eating things with blood (not intended to gross out) you just don't get the same absorption...g

THanks guys! I already scheduled a doctor's appointment, and plan to cut back on combing and start clarifying!

Good luck with the doctor, Bob! I hope you can get to the bottom of what's causing the hairloss.

god luck at the doctors and please keep us updated

hope everything goes well :)

wrote on Aug 29^th, 2005 at 8:39am:

Regarding the red meat Beesan - that's such an important consideration - I don't eat it either and found out my iron storage (different than simple levels) was quite low even though I eat all sorts of other iron rich foods.  Supplements will take care of that but not eating things with blood (not intended to gross out) you just don't get the same absorption...g

you see that's my problem Gabi....... that i'm soooo grossed out. :P :-/
being from the middle east and all we cook a lot of lamb, and when i try to eat i keep getting a picture of a lamb walking around :P then i keep telling my self that no it came from the freezer (stupid i know) but nothing works, but i do eat chicken and fish, and eaty lots of cereal bowls so i don't notice the milk.

wrote on Aug 30^th, 2005 at 12:08am:

you see that's my problem Gabi....... that i'm soooo grossed out. :P :-/ being from the middle east and all we cook a lot of lamb, and when i try to eat i keep getting a picture of a lamb walking around :P then i keep telling my self that no it came from the freezer (stupid i know) but nothing works, but i do eat chicken and fish, and eaty lots of cereal bowls so i don't notice the milk.

I totally understand.  I have the same reaction.  I'd actually rather do it Masai style where they just bleed the cattle but don't actually wonk them (ungraciously put but *shrug*).

Certainly I'm not judgemental about anyone for eating meat.  But it's not going to happen for me.  The supplement got me all the way into the high range and my blood work is really good - hairloss is totally under control too YMMV with that but getting good iron storage is always good ...g

I don't think it will happen for me either, even though my mom keeps bugging me about it ( though when i point out she was a veggie for almost three years, she just glares and walks away :))

Bob, i found some info on why hair would fall out:

1. hormonal imbalances
2. mineral imbalances
3. stress
4. poor diet
5.chemical damage, from coloring, relaxing, or perms
6. excesive exposure to sunlight
7.tight hairstyles, or brushing harshly

yeah, I think i might have nutritional problems, seeing how I don't eat as well. (mostly junk food and very little meat) and my hair falls from the root every time, but not from breaking off. I have highlighted my hair a year ago and never done anything since, regarding sun exposure, there never really is any sun in the northwest. We'll see what my problem is next thursday after my doctor's appointment!

thanks for all ur help! ;D

Maybe until then you could try this, i read that basil, parsley, rosemary, and sage help with hair loss or thinning. you just pour boiling water over the herb and steep for 20 minutes, then strain.
HTH :)

oh, and use 2 tablespoons of dried herb for every cup of water

I'm really glad your are going to a doctor.  Keep us posted ...g

It's good that your going to your doc - I hope it goes well.  

To answer your questions about shampoo and conditioners, Anais has some great info in the first post of her hair journal.

For finding products that are gentle, for me the selection is better at health food stores.  Right now I'm trying Avalon Organics Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner, and it's working out pretty well.  I did have to use an ACV rinse to clear up the build up from the last stuff I was using.

Hope this helps,
Cynde

Hehe, sorry to have posted sooner! But i just got back from the doctor's a few weeks ago, and she said my scalp looked fine and i got my blood tested but the results arn't back yet. She also said that it might be from hormonal imbalances, diet or stress so she recommended a multivitamin and a vitamin b complex. So really, right now i'm just taking the vitamins and waiting for my lab results, but thanks for all the help, you guys were dead right! It makes me sooo sad though, cuz when i tie my hair back, i can totally see my scalp now, it looks like my hairline is receding... :'( ah, well, maybe this is just a phase..

Thanks for an update, Bob. I hope the blood test results come back okay. And I know it's hard, but don't stess out too much on your hair; that'll only make things seem worse.

*sending you good hair vibes*

We will all hope that your tests come back normal.  The vitamins should help.  Once you know it is not something serious, then maybe you can reduce your stress which should also help.

Let us know how things go for you.  :D

what a relief to hear this news, i hope we hear even better news when the lab results come in :)

thanks for the update

Where is Bob? ???

i hope everything is alright :-/