Hair loss
There are various
reasons for hair loss, most commonly hormonal issues. Fluctuations in
hormones will often show in the hair. Not all hair loss is related to what
is known as male pattern baldness, and indeed, women can suffer from
baldness just as men do. This includes women experiencing what's referred to
as male pattern baldness. There exist on the markets formulas for addressing
this specific cause of lack of hair growth yet typically they require around
three months of consistence use for results to begin to appear. Cessation
may also mean that gained growth may dissipate.
Some choose to shave their hair off
entirely, while still others may have an illness (such as a form of
cancer--note that not every form of cancer or cancer treatment necessarily
means one will lose their hair. A qualified physician should be able to
advise on this point.) that caused hair loss or lead to a decision to shave
the head. In this instance care of the scalp skin must be attended to and
may include protection when exposing the skin to the sun (such as wearing a
soft hat or scarf, and applying sunscreen), and proper maintenance of a
shaved head with moisturizing products and better quality shaving tools.
Those who suffer from hair loss in instances
of cancer care will need to consult with their medical provider to examine
the idea of a purchase of a wig. There are many outlets now that provide
options of human hair and synth etic
hair wigs. Synthetic wigs tend to be easier to maintain for a longer
duration. Often, though, the hair, in time, will grow back so soft hats and
scarves are often preferred for delicate skin that has been through so much.
Those who note excessive shedding inexplicably, or especially falling out in
clumps, should seek the counsel of a physician to rule out any issues with
hormones and thyroid, among other possibilities. Hair thinning can be
experienced even in instances of eczema, psoriasis, and when dandruff has
advanced and may be coupled with a bacterial infection of the hair
follicles.
Drying
When using hair dryers select lowered
temperatures to keep from splitting or otherwise damaging hair. Hair that
has been subjec ted to
the use of a permanent is weaker due to the application of chemicals, and
should be treated gently and with greater care than hair that isn't
chemically altered.
Blow drying hair can be done in a healthier
way by using a diffuser so the air flow is not focused in a stream. This
will also help prevent excessive tangling. Also, consider setting the blow
dryer on a cooler setting versus high. Further, take care when using a blow
dryer, or any hot appliance such as irons to not get the heat too close to
scalp skin as a burn of the skin is possible. For those with thick hair,
half drying can work if one has the time to also allow for some air drying
(letting nature finish the drying process). These ideas can still allow one
to style their hair yet preserve the health, beauty and luster of the
organic fiber that hair is.
Nutrition
Major factors for healthy hair of any type remains
both genetics and health. A well understood factor to optimum health is
nutrition, and this element remains true for hair health. The living par t
of hair is under the scalp skin where the hair root is housed in the hair
follicle. The entire follicle and root are fed by a vein, and blood carries
nutrients to the follicle/root. Any time an individual has any kind of
health concern from stress, trauma, medications of various sorts, chronic
medical conditions or medical conditions that come and then wane, heavy
metals in waters and food, smoking etc. these and more can affect the hair,
its growth, and its appearance.
If one wants to improve their hair health, one
thing to improve is what one eats. Generally, eating a full diet that
contains protein, fruits, vegetables, grains, and even an appropriate amount
of fat is important (several vitamins and minerals require fat in order to
be delivered or absorbed by the body). Any deficiency will typically show
first in the hair, perhaps even before it is diagnosed. For example, even a
mild case of anemia can cause shedding and hair loss.
W hen
the body is under strain, it reprioritizes its processes. For example, the
vital organs will be attended to first, meaning that healthy, oxygenated
blood may not feed into the hair follicle, resulting in less healthy hair or
a decline in growth rate. While not all hair growth issues stem from
malnutrition, it is a valuable symptom in diagnosis.
Healthy Hair Vitamins
Washing
There are various ways to wash hair which is
often established by one's hair type and available resources.
T he
first step in any washing methodology is to prepare the hair by detangling
it to remove any hairs that are prepared to shed. This step also helps
prevent excessive tangles for those possessing longer lengths.
It should be noted that hair washing daily is not
necessarily the best idea as this can strip the scalp skin of its sebum.
This decision will depend greatly on the style and products used to hold a
given style, and age/hormones, degree of physical activity, and any issues
with the health of the scalp skin. Allowing a day or so to pass and then
washing is often helpful to the maintenance of the acid mantle as well as
the hair since overwashing can also result in drier hair fiber. Sebum's
role, in part, is to also provide a protective coat to the hair itself.
The most common method of hair washing is
shampooing followed by conditioning. This means to apply shampoo in the palm
of the hands, approximately the size of a quarter at maximum for most hair
lengths, and not directly to the hair and scalp. Lather in the hands then
apply to thoroughly wet hair. Wash the hair without piling the hair as this
causes tangles and overly luffs the cuticle. For any length, simply squeeze
the shampoo down the length of the hair. It will become sufficiently clean.
If one is a daily hair washer, then a repeating of the hair shampoo
application may not be necessary. However, if one waits a day or more
between hair washings, then the first shampoo may only break up the surface
tension of sebum (a waxy ester that is naturally produced from the sebacious
glands that is part of most of the hair follicles about the human head). A
second shampoo application to the scalp hair may be necessary to thoroughly
cleanse the scalp skin. The second application is not necessary to apply to
any hair length.
Never use fingernails to scrape the scalp skin. To
help lift any scal y
skin, detris, and sebum, especially for those who suffer from scalp skin
ailments, very gently scratching the surface of the skin with a small fine
toothed comb may help to loosen and lift grime and dead skin cells before a
hair wash, helping to have a cleaner scalp skin after a hair wash. One can
massage the scalp skin with the pads of the fingertips to help cleanse the
scalp. Take care to not lift hair that is long at the root when doing this
because wet hair weighs a lot more since it is fully stretched in length and
swelled to capacity. Go in between the hair strands and massage in little
circular motions, repositioning the hands about the head. Rinse the shampoo
out very well.
Follow with conditioning of the length. Most hair
types do not need to apply conditioner to the scalp, and those with any
scalp skin ailments may find that conditioner compounds the issue. Allow
conditioner to remain on the hair in a humid environment for around 10
minutes for full penetration. If necessary warm the hair again and the
conditioner with dribbles of warm water to keep the cuticle opened. A long
and thorough rinsing out of the conditioner with water is a good habit, even
if one is in a hurry; failing to do so, the hair may well be dull and tacky
to the touch because product may be remaining on the hair if a thorough
rinsing with clean water is not conducted.
Other methods may include Conditioner Only hair
washes, which are helpful to those with hair possessing any body to very
curly hair to sustain liveliness of curl and maximum moisture for varying
degrees of body and curl. More natural methods of hair care involve
preparing one's own shampoos, rinses and conditioners. Sources for such
information include Curly Girl authored by both Lorraine Massey and
Deborah Chiel, and Naturally Healthy Hair authored by Mary Beth
Janssen, both licensed cosmetologists.
Always blot the hair dry; avoid rubbing the hair
with a towel as this too luffs the cuticle. On the market there are
microfiber towels to help with absorbing the water from hair faster. This is
particularly helpful for those with very thick hair that may otherwise take
a while to dry, especially if air drying.
To improve the hair health and further prevent
issues with dryness and buildup, consider installing a s
that will remove the minerals found in most city waters. Examine the
packaging the filter comes in to determine that the filter also removes
chlorine or chloramine (combination of chlorine and ammonia). One of these
is often added to city water supplies for purposes of sanitation and is
necessary for the health of the community. However hard water minerals and
the sanitizing agent can also deposit on the hair and in time cause build
up. Not all places in the world possess the same water quality. For example,
many water supplies may contain too much sulphur which can be drying to the
hair (clue is the aroma of the water); still others may have too much iron
in the water (often noticeable if the water has a red hue to it although
this can represent rust in any pipes). If using water from an unfiltered
source, try to choose a water supply where the water has movement and flows,
and does not possess any salt. Filtering water through very fine mesh cloth
may help a trace amount to remove any larger deposits in the water. Many
enjoy collecting rain water except in many parts of the world there now
exists an issue with acid rain.
Using cold water as a final rinse does not
necessarily make hair shinier. Cold water closes the scales, known as the
cuticle (an overlapping structure), that the hair shaft has on its surface,
which opens when washed with any form of warm temperatured water. Moreover,
if the scalp tends to be greasy, cold water prevents dilation of sebaceous
glands and may moderate sebum production.
When choosing a shampoo, notice the pH rating,
if provided. A more alkaline rated (meaning a high pH) shampoo is stronger
and harsher to one's hair. This can mean that the hair will be left dry and
brittle. Look for shampoos that fall between acidic and alkaline (or base)
ratings, in the center. Shampoos containing citric, lactic or phosphoric
acid are most likely balanced. Oily hair might require a more acid pH
shampoo. If the pH is not listed, a quick way to make the shampoo less harsh
is to dilute it slightly with water.
Human skin, including scalp skin, prefers to
be in the middle of the pH scale, somewhere between 5 and 6.8 on the pH
spectrum. This is considered balanced between alkali (base) and acidic. Most
shampoos and conditioners leave the hair and scalp skin in an alkali state,
so sometimes something acidic (in a very, very diluted form) may need to be
applied (never ever apply an undiluted form of natural acid) to help move
the pH of scalp skin back to the center point from alakali (or base). Viable
natural ways to impart this is lemon juice or lime juice or a vinegar. All
should be diluted well in a LOT of water and then applied as a rinse that is
subsequently rinsed out either after shampooing or after conditioning
(conditioning usually follows shampooing). It is recommended that Blondes
use white vinegar to avoid hair being darkened over time although it's noted
that apple cider vinegar contains malic acid which is friendly for acid
mantle health. Do not use flavored or balsamic vinegars (balsamic has sugar
in it). This practice may assist those who have itchy scalps, depending on
the cause for the itchiness.
Buildup is when the hair has a tacky feel to
it, a kind of gumminess, and the conditioner choice seems to w ork less well,
and the hair may also be more tangly. Buildup is common over time and
derives from minerals from water and/or products not being able to be washed
off in a normal shampoo procedure, and to remove it one may need to conduct
a Clarify hair wash, that is, a shampoo that clarifies. Be sure to condition
well after any clarifying product is applied to the hair (it's just like
shampooing) to replace what's been removed. Clarifying removes all
things on the surface of the hair strands essentially leaving the hair
without moisture. If one fails to condition as part of a clarify hair wash
process, the hair will be a kind of delicate feeling, possibly fly away and
dry or a kind of brittleness to the hair.
It is recommended to use anti-dandruff shampoos
with care; they are more aggressive, can make hair less lively, irritate the
scalp, and can actually increase the production of dandruff. Note the active
ingredient in the dandruff shampoo as different active ingredients may
address the problem better or less so. Nizoral shampoo is a product to
consider for its active ingredient choice and also that it does not dry out
the hair as other dandruff products might cause. (There are two versions of
Nizoral: one is Over The Counter (OTC), and one is prescription strength.
This shampoo is sometimes used in combination with any medication to remove
bacterial infections off the scalp skin.) Dandruff, despite common belief,
is more often related to too much, or an issue somehow with, sebum
production and not dry scalp skin. Not all flakes are d andruff,
so do consult with a qualified physician to determine not only that one
indeed does have dandruff; but also, what type of dandruff one may have. If
one is experiencing redness of the scalp skin, bumps on the scalp skin, and
any weeping from sores and/or bleeding in addition to flakes, professional
medical diagnosis should be sought.
There is something known as hair memory theory. If
one only performs the operation of taking a shower once every other day,
their hair follicles adapt to this hygenic cycle. Therefore only releasing
the oil when it is due time for a shower again. In the same way if you
shower everyday, the hair will release oil around the time of usual washing,
in this case after 24 hours. When one changes their hygenic cycle, the hair
will adapt to the change.
Split Ends Occurence
Split ends seem to be the bane of every hair
conscious woman's life. They happen when the protective cuticle has been
stripped away from the ends of hair fibers.
Trich optilosis
is a longitudinal splitting of the hair fiber, better known as split ends.
Any chemical or physical trauma that weathers the hair may eventually lead
to split ends. Typically, the damaged hair fiber splits into two or three
strands and the split may be two or three centimeters in length. Split ends
are most often observed in long hair but also occurs in short hair that is
not in good condition. This can be a problem for people trying to grow their
hair.
As hair grows, the natural protective oils of the
scalp can fail to reach the ends of the hair. The ends are considered old
once they reach about 10 centimeters since they have had long exposure to
the sun, gone through many shampoos and have been overheated by hair dryers
and hot irons. This all results in dry, brittle ends which are prone to
splitting. Infrequent trims and lack of hydrating treatments can intensify
this condition.
The most immediate solution for split ends is to
cut them off. However, this is not always acceptable due to the destructive
nature of the treatment. However, if nothing is done about split ends, the
hair will natrually get shorter and either drop off or continue to split
backwards toward the scalp faster than the rate of growth.
Dyeing
Dyeing of the hair can cause breakage so be
careful not to dye repeatedly in close proximity. If dyeing repeatedly
cannot be avoided, make sure to use a conditioning treatment to repair
possible breakage. Other options for applying color to hair besides chemical
dyes include the use of such herbs a s
henna and indigo, or looking for ammonia-free solutions. There also exist
color rinses and spray-in colors for changing color on a shorter term basis.
The spray-in colors rinse out, typically, in the next hair wash. When
considering henna there are forms that contain less salt or not iodized
salt.
It is advised never to color and perm, or otherwise
chemically alter the hair's structure (at the cortex), in the same
session or within several days of each other as this can cause breakage
of the hair. This includes procedures such as thermal reconditioning and
straightening. Be sure to consult with a qualified stylist on this point and
define when it's safe to do the second process.
Conditioners
Conditioners may sometimes add weight to
hair, creating an adverse effect in the shampooing/conditioning process.
Some conditioners, especially those containing a silicone compound, may coat
the hair and lead to build up on the hair, making it dull, and lead to
harsher shampoo use; in a sense, an endless cycle of shampooing and
conditioning. When used correctly, however, conditioners are helpful in
temporarily coating the hair to increase shine and ease tangles. If less
build-up is desired, a switch to a silicone-free conditioner may be made. If
buildup occurs, or a film that is undesirable is left behind, wash the hair
again to get it out, and seek a different conditioner. Conditioner choice is
greatly dependent upon hair type and hair status, such as colored, permed,
dry, and the like.
Brushing
Hair should be brushed carefully: strength of hair
comes from the root; brushing will not give them more strength yet can
increase the creation of split ends and may uproot the hair. Therefore, for
the purpose of detangling, many will find wide tooth combs (at least 4 mm
spacing, some have 8 or 10) a better option. Also, exercise caution when
working with wet hair. Never brush wet hair; if one must detangle,
use a wide tooth comb on both sopping wet and damp hair. To detangle hair,
whether damp or dry, begin from the bottom for the health of the hair. Comb
only the bottom few centimeters, gently working out any tangles. Then move a
few centimeters higher and repeat the process until the entire length of the
hair has been combed. Never force a detangling tool through the length of
the hair as this will definitely break down the protective sheath, the
cuticle and this can lead to heavy damage such as various forms of splits.
Not to mention it is painful to the scalp skin and can cause early breakage
of otherwise healthy hairs that have not reached their full life span in the
hair follicle.
Brushing: the old notion that 100 brush
strokes a day produces beautiful hair is false. Too much brushing may injure
the hair, especially with brushes that pull the hair or scratch the scalp.
Detangle the hair and then leave it be. The 100 strokes may only be
applicable, perhaps, if using a Boar Bristle Brush to polish the hair by
distributing sebum and/or applied oils. It remains a possibility that the
dictum of 100 strokes a day derives from the era when Boar Bristle Brushes
were more commonly used, well before the invention of plastics and a time
when more organic materials were used to create hair care tools. Usually in
conjunction with the idea of 100 strokes a day was the suggestion that hair
will 'shine' and be 'soft' to the touch. This is the usual result of Boar
Bristle Brushing.
When hair is damaged, the only solution is
to cut it and use a hydrating treatment to protect the new ends. This may be
accomplished by cutting hair from the length, or by examining individual
sections of hair and cutting off only the hairs that contain damage. The
latter process is more time-consuming, but allows for the retention of
length. Splits are not the only kinds of damage. There are white dots (where
the cuticle has burst, and the hair bends at a 90 degree angle); there are
splits that have yet to break apart in the traditional Y but if the hair is
held between the two hands and pushed together from either end, the hole
will reveal itself. Such damage can occur anywhere in the hair and in
quality hair care activities will tend to be only on the tips of hairs or on
the ends of length for the most part, it can also be on the youngest hair,
close to the scalp -- in short, anywhere. Do not split the hair up the shaft
while it's on the head and then leave the hair intact on the head. This can
result in damaging other fellow hairs and further contributes to tangle
issues as this is now a stressed hair (hair that has been stretched beyond
its elasticity).
Hair sprays
Applied properly, most hair sprays will not harm
the hair. Excessive use or failure to shampoo, however, can cause hair to
become dull. Hair sprays that contain alcohol may dry the hair excessively.
Wigs
Normal wig wearing, with the wig ca p, is not
injurious to the hair provided the wig is not too tight, but more shampooing
may become necessary because wigs incease scalp perspiration. Wigs are a fun
option for quickly changing one's look without actually re-shaping hair with
cutting and in this way become a viable alternate expression. Additionally,
when considering changing to a new hair style, wigs that are already in that
shape may help an individual decide to change the form of their hair design
as one can see how they will actually look in that form before actually
re-shaping the hair with permanent cutting. Waiting for an undesirable look
to grow out can be a painful process emotionally and psychologically.
Braiding
Tight or frequent braiding may pull at the hair
roots and cause traction alopecia. Rubber bands with metal clasps or tight
clips should also be avoided. Braiding can be done on a reg ular basis if the
braids are not too tight and the parting is varied so that the strain isn't
on the same sections of hair all the time. The same holds true of placing
hair in any forms of updos. Do not pull the hair, ever, too tightly from the
hair root.
In placing longer lengths up, the same
concern to avoid pulling hair overly tight should also be considered.
Further, if one places hair up on a daily basis, varying the style is
important since constantly binding the hair in the same location (such as a
ponytail), using the same tool daily to hold the hair up, can, over time,
lead to some thinning in certain areas, especially in instances where the
tool is quite heavy (metal).
Headaches and hair
Headaches can occur when there is stress on the
hair follicle. For example, hair drawn in a direction other than its natural
growth pattern (hair types come out of the hair follicle in particular
patterns for curly, body, straight; and also, hair grows in a pattern about
the head so that it hangs or forms the way it does for humans). If hair,
like braiding, is pinned too tightly, or the whole updo slips causing
pulling on the hair in the follicle at the hair root are other scenarios
that can cause aggravation to the hair follicle and result in headaches.
This is because there is a system of capillaries and even veins that feed
into the hair follicle, which is what nourishes the follicle to grow hair.
If the hair follicle is aggravated, the capillaries are in turn aggravated
and in this way a headache can arise. For those with heavy hair, consider
dividing the weight of the hair or placing more of the hair in an updo on
top of the head such that the skull supports the weight of the hair better.
Also, consider using long bobby pins (what are technically named hair roller
pins) to pin the hair in an interlocking network for better hold. Pin as one
proceeds in creating the updo style for maximum staying in position. Do not
wait until the end of forming the hair to pin into place.
Those who swim in chlorinated or salt sea water
may benefit from first wetting the hair entirely and then applying
conditioner to completely swell the entire hair shaft. The idea is that less
uptake of chlorine or salt may result which in turn helps to preserve the
beauty of hair. Those who swim a lot may also benefit from the products on
the market that remove chlorine after swimming in pool water.
Safety Precautions
Whenever one works around anything that can make
hair lengths fan (such as opening oven doors, any machine with a motor
(whether the motor itself is exposed or not such as lathes, drill presses,
grinders, car engines, household fans), anything with heat (such as torches,
welding equipment, jeweler tools, lighting pilot lights, BBQs) or any
recreational vehicle (such as go karts, and with unusually longer lengths,
perhaps even bicycles), it is best to contain the hair in a reliable manner
to prevent the hair being caught up in the equipment which could potentially
result in major injury, including scalping. Hair should be drawn back in a
reliable method to prevent falling or slipping such that any formerly
contained hair could fall out in whole, or in part, and place one at risk.
This may well mean that a ponytail for hair length is insufficient as hair
fringe and bangs may remain vulnerable, and hair, during the course of a day
can fall out. Ponytailed hair means it’s only bound at one point yet the
remaining length is loose hair which has a wide circumference it can still
fall. Ponytailed hair can still fall forward if one is leaning over, or for
example, in a kitchen with an open gas flame, can still fan out when one
turns and the air flow from body movement can cause a pulse in the flame to
a higher level and singe some hair. Same holds true with oven doors:
ponytailed hair can fall forward on to hot surfaces when leaning over and
get singed. Care around any flame should be taken including proximity to
tools for lighting cigarettes and cigars. Often it is best to not only bind
the hair; but also, position the hair inside a cap or bandanna such that
the full head of hair is completely covered. This scenario is good not
only around machinery but may well be a good idea in instances of working
outdoors all day long, or when working in areas where fine dust and
particulate matter is swirling about (paint, spraying, powder coating,
laying tar) to prevent the hair being caked with such particles. Many
industries have requirements for hair being contained to prevent worker
injury. This likely includes those working in food services, construction,
utilities, and machine shops of various sorts. Anytime one works in an area
that can move the air flow, hair should be bound for safety of the person as
hair is a very light weight substance and responds to the slightest of
breezes. Of course, many professions do require containing the hair for
reasons of public health, and a prime example is the food industry. Many
sports may require similar constraints for reasons of safety to keep hair
out of eyes and blocking one's view, and to prevent being caught in sports
equipment or trees and shrubs, or matted hair in severe weather conditions
or water. This would include not allowing hair to fly loose on the backs of
motorcycles and open-topped sports cars for longer tresses.
Scalp Skin
There are a number of disorders that are particular
to the scalp. Symptoms may include:
- bumps,
- lumps,
- chafes,
- weeping or bleeding,
- clumpy flakes that do not easily slough off the
scalp skin,
- caking skin buildup that appears white or
another color than one's natural skin tone,
- excessive itchiness that doesn't go away with a
few hair wash, redness of scalp skin,
- patches of thinning,
- clumps of hair falling out,
- shedding,
- pus-like drainage,
- abnormal odor,
- dandruff
Any of these symptoms may indicate a need for
professional assistance from a dermatologist or trichologist for diagnosis.
Scalp skin can suffer from infestations of mites,
lice, infections of the follicles or fungus. There could be allergic
reactions to ingredients in chemical preparations applied to the hair, even
ingredients from shampoo or conditioners. Common concerns surrounding
dandruff (often associated with excessive sebum); psoriasis, eczema, or
seborrheic dermatitus.
An odor that persists for a few weeks despite
regular hair washing may be an indication of a health problem on the scalp
skin.
Photographs over the internet can be difficult to
diagnose. Not all flakes are dandruff. For example, some can merely be
product buildup on the scalp skin. This could result from the common
practice of applying conditioner to scalp skin without washing. This would
dry upon the scalp skin and flake off, appearing like dandruff and even
causing itchiness, but have no health effects whatsoever.
Although rapid detection and treatment of scalp
disease can prevent permanent conditions such as thinning, hair loss,
shedding, or death of hair follicles, regular hygiene is still the most
effective method of preventing scalp disease.
Thyroid disease
Particularly among women, thyroid disease is one of
the more under-diagnosed health concerns. It's very important to see a
medical professional when hair falls out in clumps. This is one symptom of a
set of symptoms that may indicate a thyroid concern. The good news is that
in many gynecological exams a blood screen for thyroid is now a common
protocol. Although this entry regarding hair care is not about thyroid, it
is worth mentioning since it's not as commonly known by the general
population that thyroid often shows up first in the behavior of the hair. |