Major Causes for Hair Damage
Hair comes in a variety of
textures from fine to coarse. It can suffer a range of hair damage from
fraying, split ends to damage caused by straightening hair with
chemical agents or hair irons.
There can be hair damage due to heat from blow dryers or curling irons,
hair coloring problems, or even scalp problems like over-production of
oil from the sebaceous glands.
But
if hair is healthy and protected from over exposure to heat and harsh
chemicals, it should require nothing more than a good quality shampoo
(perhaps one formulated for a specific hair type) and weekly
conditioning either with a commercial product or a natural mixture like
rosemary and olive oil. Problem hair is usually hair that is being
damaged by either an internal or external agent that can be eliminated
by a change in routine or habits.
Ten Things That Cause Hair Damage
All
to often what we choose to do to our hair in terms of style and
supposed "care" actually damages the hair. In addition, our life habits
have a significant impact on the health and appearance of the hair.
Caffeine
The
jury is still out on the effects of caffeine on the body and its
associated systems like the hair. In most cultures, the mild stimulant
caffeine, commonly distributed in coffee and soft drinks, is a matter
of daily routine. Caffeine has the effect of stimulating the central
nervous system, heart, and lungs and will stave off fatigue.
It
is a general rule of thumb that anything used to excess in the body has
a resulting effect on the hair but the most recent studies conducted in
2005 suggest that caffeine actually prevents hair loss. Used topically,
caffeine creams sold in Germany have shown good effect on male pattern
baldness.
Your daily coffee consumption may be good for your
hair, but stress and fatigue are not. If you are dinking enough coffee
that you experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches and trembling
hands when you don't get your "fix," it's time to cut back not just for
your hair but for your whole system.
If your primary caffeine consumption comes
from sodas, these drinks carry a heavy sodium punch that can elevate
your blood pressure. Given the fact that some hair loss remedies like
minoxidil (Rogaine) were initially developed to combat high blood
pressure and were then discovered to stop hair loss, the blood pressure
/ hair growth link would seem to be confirmed.
Poor Nutrition
A
diet low in fruits and vegetables and high in fast food and additives
will cause hair to grow more slowly. The growth of the a-keratin shafts
that comprise hair depends on good blood circulation in the scalp and
healthy, oxygenated blood. Our food consumption has a considerable
effect on these factors.
The B vitamins are important in
maintaining healthy hair, especially B6. Hair that is not getting
enough B vitamins will be thin and fine. Foods rich in these vitamins
include beans, peas, carrots, cauliflower, soybeans, bran, nuts, and
eggs. The E vitamins also play a significant role in hair health. Try
to eat more avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Finally, be sure you
are getting enough magnesium, sulfur and zinc.
Unfortunately,
the poor quality of the modern diet, with its reliance on junk food and
on-the-go meals, means most people are not getting the vitamins and
minerals they need for optimum health. Most physicians today recommend
a good quality multi-vitamin / mineral combination. If you are seeing
problems with thinning hair, a B-complex tablet would be a good idea as
well.
Lack of Sleep
Studies of male pattern baldness suggest
that lack of sleep plays a role in altering the hormone balance in the
body that leads to hair loss. In men, hair loss is attributed to the
conversion of testosterone to DHT in the body. Since sleep deprivation
is a condition of our fast-paced, modern life, there is every reason to
suggest that the stress and fatigue it causes will result in hair
damage in women as well.
Research indicates that all adult men
and women would function better if they got more sleep. Two big tips in
this regard are not to fall asleep in front of the television set or
with the lights on. The human brain at a low level will continue to
process the information being broadcast by the television and our
brains are pre-programmed to be more vigilant when it's light outside.
We get our best sleep in a quiet, dark room.
