Hair fall in Pakistan: common causes and what actually helps

"Baal bohat gir rahe hain" is one of the most common hair complaints in Pakistan. Before you try every oil and remedy on the market, it helps to understand where hair fall comes from, which parts you can control at home, and when it's time to see a doctor.

First: some hair fall is normal

Everyone sheds hair every day as old hairs make way for new ones. Losing a few dozen strands while washing or combing is normal. Long hair just makes it more noticeable because each strand is longer.

What's worth paying attention to is a change: much more hair than usual, a wider parting, thinning at the temples or crown, or bald patches.

Breakage vs. hair fall

A lot of what people call hair fall is actually breakage. Look at the hairs you lose. If many are short pieces without a small white bulb at one end, they've snapped along the length rather than fallen from the root.

Breakage comes from dryness and rough handling, and it's the part a good hair care routine helps with most.

Common causes of hair fall in Pakistan

Hard water

Tap water in many parts of Lahore, Karachi and other cities is hard, with lots of dissolved minerals. It can leave hair dry, rough and tangly, which leads to more breakage when you comb.

Heat, sun and dust

Long summers, strong sun and dusty air dry the hair out. In winter, smog in Punjab adds a layer of pollution that needs washing out regularly.

Harsh washing and styling

Very strong shampoos, daily straightening, blow-drying on high heat, bleaching and tight hairstyles all weaken the hair over time.

Diet

Hair needs enough protein, iron and other nutrients. Crash diets and low iron, which is common among women in Pakistan, are frequent causes of hair fall.

Stress, illness and life changes

A stressful period, a high fever such as dengue or typhoid, surgery, or having a baby can cause a wave of shedding a couple of months later. It usually settles on its own.

Medical and hormonal causes

Thyroid problems, PCOS, some medicines and genetic hair loss also cause thinning. These need a doctor, not just a new product.

What you can do at home

• Oil your hair once or twice a week. Oil keeps the lengths soft so they bend instead of snapping. Our step-by-step hair oiling guide covers the routine.
• Use a gentle shampoo. A shampoo that cleans without stripping, like PureRoots Herbal Shampoo, keeps hair from feeling rough after every wash.
• Detangle carefully. Use a wide-tooth comb and start from the ends, working up.
• Be gentle with wet hair. Pat it dry with a soft towel or cotton dupatta rather than rubbing.
• Cut back on heat. Air-dry when you can and use a lower setting when you can't.
• Loosen your hairstyles. Tight ponytails and buns pull at the hairline.
• Eat well. Daal, eggs, chicken, fish, leafy greens and fruit all help. If you suspect low iron, get a blood test before taking supplements.

When to see a doctor

See a dermatologist if you notice:

• Bald patches or a clearly widening parting
• Heavy hair fall lasting more than three months
• An itchy, flaky, red or painful scalp
• Hair loss along with tiredness, weight change or irregular periods

Where hair oil fits in

A herbal hair oil is part of good everyday hair care. It softens and nourishes the hair you have, reduces breakage, and makes hair easier to manage. It isn't a medicine, and anyone who promises an oil will "stop hair fall in 7 days" is overselling.

If your hair fall is mostly breakage from dryness, a regular routine with PureRoots Herbal Hair Oil and a gentle shampoo is a sensible place to start. Give it four to six weeks.