The science behind hair health & nutrition

It is becoming common practice to see more patients present themselves to me at my clinic with what they feel is hair shedding, they feel their ponytails are getting thinner, they’re noticing more hair in the brush, plug and on the pillow.

This triggers an anxiety which in itself can exacerbate the condition.

Our hair needs protein to grow healthy and strong, we have a great choice of fantastic cosmetically pleasing hair shampoos and conditioners now, so much so our clients find it difficult to choose from.

This should be made easier for our clients by taking the advice from us the professional hairdresser of course!! But how many of us really are advising and how many of us really understand why our clients start to lose their hair, it’s a subject we tend to avoid by saying “it’s the time of year”, or” we all lose hair as we get older”…

This has become common practice with so many of our clients now due to such a fast pace of life, no time to eat regular meals finishing off the day with a rigorous work out at the gym or a 5k run..

The hair structure is a complex chain of amino acids made from protein; hence protein is essential in our everyday nutritional intake.

The blood feeds our hair carrying oxygen, nutrients, vitamins and minerals to our essential organs which keep us alive, the hair receives what is left after its strenuous journey.

So if you miss out on breakfast, the most essential meal of the day, or you think fruit is sufficient, then you’re quite mistaken.

Breakfast should include protein such as eggs, boiled, scrambled or poached, with wholemeal toast.

Red meat is essential in out diet as this contains the most essential vitamin for healthy hair growth which is B12, also found in liver and kidneys.

If you cannot stomach red meat, then choose other options which are high in protein, seeking advice from a nutritional therapist is always a great way to eat healthy and maintain healthy hair health too.

Our bodies can only draw on a reserve if there is one, like a car needs water, oil and fuel; our bodies need vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

What we see now could be the underlying cause from some three months back, as it’s our hair growth cycle that is effected, and this determines how healthy our hair will grow.

We have three main cycles to our hair growth

1/Anagen is the growing stage, with 85% of hair in the growing stage at any one time. This cycle lasts for 2-7 years, it is rare to see an anagen hair shed naturally, as it’s firmly attached to the hair bulb in the papilla, you would feel pain from an anagen hair being extracted, and its anagen hairs we shed during chemotherapy. The bulb of the hair follicle is presented as a sticky white appearance.

To loose hair in an anagen stage could indicate a serious health issue.

Once the offending cause is removed the hair will regrow very quickly.

2/Catagen is the transitional stage, the hair detaches itself from the hair bulb and gradually is pushed out, there is normally a hair already attached to the bulb which is an anagen hair, this stage lasts for two weeks.

3/Telogen is the resting stage. Lasting for three months, the hairs you see fall will have a hard white dot on the root; this is where the bulb has become keratinised.

Telogen effluvium is the term associated with a shedding of hair in its resting stage, this hair shedding will rectify itself eventually, once the offending cause has been established and rectified, generally taking a minimum of three months to see an improvement.

Alopecia is the definition of ANY type of hair loss. These are grouped into three areas:

· Temporary

· Semi-permanent

· Permanent

Temporary – This is noticeable diffuse thinning of the hair, whereby the follicle itself is un-structurally changed.

It is caused by the following:

· Anaemia

· Ferritin deficiency –

· Thyroid dysfunction – Free T3 is an important hormone that needs to be tested for.

· Medication

· General health

· Nutrition

· Weight changes

· Post-natal

Semi-permanent – This is gradual thinning of the hair, there is no sudden shedding, and it is a gradual miniaturisation of the hair follicle.

It is caused by the following:

· Female Pattern Alopecia – this is sensitivity to the normal levels of male hormones, not because the levels are too high. Caused by 5 alpha reductase hydrolysing testosterone to DHT.

· This can be helped with the use of oral contraceptives.

Permanent – This is hair loss that will not regrow.

Causes:

Circatricial Alopecia (scarring hair loss):-

· Permanent destruction of the hair follicles

· Caused by physical injuries such as burns.

· Can be caused by fungal and bacterial infections

· Folliculitis, radiotherapy and auto-immune disorders are also responsible

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia:-

· 99% of patients are post-menopausal women.

· Eyebrows will also fall

· Permanent