Falling hair info

• Natural falling.
• Unnatural loss.
• Causes.
• Treatment.
• Value of cutting the hair and shaving the head.

If hair didn't fall out periodically, it couldn't come in. For the new vigorous young hair grows out of the shaft made vacant by the falling out of the old hair. It is only when it falls out more rapidly than it grows in that there need be any apprehension about "falling hair." The causes of hair loss may be either local or constitutional.

It is local when any scalp disease exists, or when dandruff has accumulated in excessive quantities. In most cases, the important local causes are uncleanliness and neglect in allowing partially dead hair to remain in the scalp.

If constitutional, it may be any disease which tends to lessen the vital forces. This is especially applicable in fevers and sexual complaints. It may also be brought about by excessive dietetic indulgences, which cause the blood to be overloaded with fat-forming globules, while a deficiency exists in the elements which feed the bones and hair.

The presence of dandruff is also a prominent cause for hair loss, and must be vigorously treated if any permanent relief is to be secured. In this connection I want to sound a warning against patronizing barber shops or hair-dressing establishments which are not absolutely above suspicion.

When the cause is local especial attention must be given to the care of the scalp by massage and by the pulling process, through cleansing, and in the various ways mentioned on the page on baldness.

If the cause is constitutional, in addition to local care, the general physical health must be improved by physical culture, wholesome diet, regular bathing and correct, hygienic living.

If the hair is extremely thin and fine—as is frequently the case with flaxen-haired children—it is often possible to increase the apparent thickness or coarseness of the hair by the pulling process and by occasionally clipping the ends.

Just as with boys or young men—who may have the downiest kind of a beard before shaving, but who, after shaving for awhile, develop quite a stiff beard—so trimming the ends of the child's and young girl's hair tends to make the hair "come out" coarser and stronger. And with this thickening of the hair there is an increase in the "mass" of the hair—the amount of hair seems greater.

Falling hair is a natural process with natural causes; or it is an abnormal condition that must be corrected by intelligent care.
If the hair continues to come in thickly, and there is no apparent diminution in, the mass of the hair, you will know the falling is perfectly natural, and pay no attention to it, beyond the ordinary hygienic care which is necessary at all times.

If, however, the hair is becoming increasingly thin, and little patches of scalp show through, you had better become exceedingly energetic.