The Beginning: Childhood Glory
Ever since childhood, people often approached my mother, curious about what I did to grow such long, thick, and lustrous hair.
I inherited strong hair genetics—my maternal grandmother had thick forearm-length hair until her final days.
My hair remained dense and healthy until a turning point: I tried a shampoo from a self-proclaimed guru (later arrested). Though it gave a mirror-like shine, it secretly weakened my strands, triggering irreversible hair loss.
The Unseen Enemies: Hair Loss Unfolds
- The Borewell Trap :
We shifted to our owned house, where I unknowingly began using borewell water. Over time, it started to block the pores of my scalp. I had no idea water quality could affect hair health so drastically. - Hostel Life in Bangalore:
Moving to a hostel introduced me to even harsher borewell water, which further thinned my hair. - Lawn Tennis & Sun Exposure:
As I began playing lawn tennis regularly, prolonged exposure to the sun led me to trim my hair to shoulder length for manageability. - Hair Analysis:
A reputed hair clinic, which had even worked with Miss India contestants, analyzed my hair and found I had only two layers instead of the typical three, making it extremely soft—but highly breakable.
The Downfall: Lifestyle, Health & Stress
IT Life & Physical Stress:
Entering the IT industry brought helmet usage, long commutes, constant stress, and poor sleep.
I developed migraines, sinus issues, cold allergies, and believed my hair loss was simply destiny.
- I Consulted Multiple Doctors:
No treatment worked. My hair was so fragile, even applying oil or masks led to heavy shedding. - Experimenting with Hibiscus Paste:
Inspired by South Indian traditions, I applied hibiscus petal paste. But it turned my strands into a tangled mess due to their mildly curly texture.
The Turning Point: A Serendipitous Move
The Cauvery Water Miracle:
I moved into a new house with government-supplied filtered Cauvery river water. It turned out to be a blessing.
Despite Bangalore’s generally poor water quality, this filtered river water proved to be the best remedy I’d ever found.
My hair began growing rapidly—from shoulder-length to below thigh-length within just two years.
Another Fall & the Real Revelation
Lockdown Period (Early 2020s): 9. Back to My Native Place:
During lockdown, I returned to my hometown. In just three months, I lost nearly 90% of my hair, leading to deep emotional distress.
- The Hidden Culprit: Arsenic:
The native water was found to contain natural arsenic, which had been silently attacking my hair. - The Deeper Cause—MTHFR Mutation:
I was diagnosed with MTHFR gene mutation, which prevents proper absorption of Vitamin B and consistently lowered my magnesium levels—causing symptoms of calcium poisoning.
This mutation also explained why I had only two hair layers.
The Recovery: What Truly Helped Me
Age: Mid-30s to Present Here’s everything I did to rescue and regrow my hair:
- RO + Arsenic Filter for Washing Water:
I invested in a high-end RO system with an alkaline and arsenic filter, just for washing my hair. Expensive—but absolutely worth it. - Ayurvedic Support:
I began consuming Jatamansi and Bhringraj powders—soaked overnight and ground into a drinkable paste. They became my internal hair-strengthening tonics. - Gentle Oil Care:
I used Trichup oil—just a thin layer on my scalp, as my strands were still very delicate. This oil played a key role in my journey (not a sponsored mention, just my truth). - Magnesium Supplementation:
I started taking 250 mg of magnesium daily, while covering the remaining requirement through diet, especially through poppy seed halwa. - Hair Protection:
I used a silk scarf regularly to protect newly growing hair from the sun and dust. - Natural Oils:
I applied rosemary oil diluted in water to reduce tangling, and used cold-pressed coconut oil sparingly to strengthen roots. - Inversion Yoga Asanas:
I included Shirshasana (headstand) and Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) in my yoga practice to improve scalp circulation. - Managing Autoimmune Thyroid:
I was diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid issues and worked on maintaining hormonal balance for long-term hair health.
Today: The Result of Relentless Patience
- After a year and a half of consistent care, my hair has finally flourished.
- They’re not just long but alive—full of movement and vitality.
- There’s no greater joy than seeing your “jungle” bloom again.
- My methods may not work for everyone, but they worked wonders for me.
What Didn’t Work for Me: Lessons Learned
While some remedies are celebrated universally, they didn’t suit my hair type or health condition:
- Anti-Dandruff Shampoos:
Too harsh. Heating the scalp worked better for managing dandruff. - Amla & Shikakai:
Strangely triggered severe hair fall every time I used them. - Almond Oil:
Immediate hair fall followed application. - Henna & Hair Packs:
A firm no. My hair couldn’t handle them. - Curd & Banana:
These popular ingredients only worsened the condition of my hair. - Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth):
Caused dryness and breakage.
If you’re struggling with hair loss, especially with complex genetic or environmental causes, I hope my journey gives you insights and encouragement. Every head of hair is unique—and so is every path to healing.
