After our wonderful drawn out “Indian Summer” Autumn has most certainly arrived. I’m personally pleased – as it’s now clement enough to enjoy some crispy leaf walks, courtesy of my family National Trust membership!
The questions I have for those who follow these posts of mine are this:
Has your hair recovered from being bleached by the summer sun?
We are all certainly missing the increased levels of vitamin D the sun affords us! So many patients of mine are experiencing the ill effects of various deficiencies including those found in the hair with a lack of vitamin D3. According to The Vitamin D council, vitamin D has so many health benefits. Those that interest me in the world if hair, are that it’s beneficial as an anti inflammatory (so many scalp conditions are due to scalp and internal inflammation), it plays a vital role in the formation of the hair follicle, so it’s integrity is effected by lack of. Vitamin D also produces feelings of low sf esteem (or even depression) which will also negatively impact on a patients hair growth cycle ( or their perception of it). Many people use “S.A.D. Lamps” in the Winter months although there is no proof of their efficacy in raising vitamin D levels, perhaps the placebo effect boosts moral generally.
So to return to my original question; has any drying from the sun, over use of straightening irons and perhaps under use of sun protection for your tresses- left your hair a little “scary”? I wanted to share that in addition to a Trichologist successfully diagnosing and treating hair loss and scalp conditions they also advise and treat broken and dehydrated hair.
At Shuna Hammocks Trichology, we like to bring our 15 years of London experience to Sussex, so that there is no need to buy a myriad of “the latest must have product” and in most cases, it is unnecessary to spend hours in the bathroom either. In fact only a few weeks ago I consulted a patient who spent up to 3 hours twice a week creaming, oiling and conditioning their hair to still experience broken and damaged hair. I like to strip the routine back to basics and ask my patients to simply carry out a straight forward routine that’s designed with the individual lifestyle and requirements in mind. The patient mentioned now saves over 5 hours a week and is enjoying hair well on the road to recovery, I’m pleased to share.
As the season is changing and it’s time to alter the clocks already, are you prepared to change old habits surrounding your hair care routine?
I must say, it perplexes me, that in a world full of constant change, many are trying not too. If a certain behaviour has one “stuck on your ways” because “I’ve always done things this way” maybe we need to challenge ourselves to deviate into unknown territories! I’m specifically talking about, forming our own opinions about hair care, products and ways to even achieve the hair style we desire- rather than simply following the crowd or “they say that ….” Approach.
To give you a few suggestions/challenges would be more apt’ continuing from my previous (ranting) paragraph;
Consider (I know this will promote a wintery sharp intake of breadth in many),
Firstly. Reducing the temperature of your hair dryer and holding it a head’s distance away.
Secondly. Perhaps finger dry rather than yanking your wet, vulnerable locks through an aggressive bristle brush.
And finally. The best of all (brace yourselves) ditching the straightening irons. If you’ve recovered your bottom jaw- bare with me- imagine this, if you were really brave and deep conditioned your hair 1-2 times a week, increased your protein intake to 2 portions of animal a day ( or 5 portions a day if veggie), took a multi vitamin, washed the hair daily and allowed it to partially “air dry” before drying on a lower setting. Within a month you would feel the hair in better condition and notice the shine returning. Continue this healthier routine for 3 months and not only should you see 7.5cm of perfect condition regrowth but have hair that is stronger and more resilient to the weather. Also I’m better health to handle which ever colour treatment you feel the Spring calls you to become!
I genuinely feel that the knowledge of your hair being in perfect condition with no breakage or visible “fuzz” when standing in strong sunlight (caused often by irons that are too hot for the hair to stand)- totally outweighs what many perceive to look as a smart straight neat look achieved in seconds via these “dreaded metal demons”! The longer term investment in caring for your hair to me is a “no brainer” compared to controlling the hair by gradually burning the hair to a split end death!
Watch this space for testimonials from patients of mine who feel this approach and many other tips, have helped to restore their hair back to the way it “used to feel” if not in most cases even better than ever!
Happy Halloween!
