Many of us at this time of the year are making New Year promises to ourselves. Could these be looking after ourselves better, starting that gym membership or, as for many patients who see me, to finally address their hair loss or scalp conditions. I guess as with gaining weight, hair loss can gradually creep up on us. Until a partner or hairdresser points out, we could be oblivious. These concerns could be put down to “One of those things” or “We all lose hair sometimes” or most often heard at Shuna Hammocks Trichology “its seasonal loss, and I’ve been under a lot of stress recently”. All of these things are true however if too many hairs fall when brushing or washing your hair for more than a months or two, who should we turn to first?
Top Three Tips for Healthy Hair
In the name of spreading good cheer, I would like to share some guidance to keep your hair looking and scalp feeling great.
Tip 1: I am a massive advocate of daily hair washing, the scalp will shed skin and sweat each day, so these materials need to be cleansed away to keep the scalp healthy and to create the perfect environment for optimum hair growth. I find with shorter hair full of yesterday’s styling products that I can style my hair so much better when this goo is washed away, certain bonds of the hair alter their shape, and some sort of (non-bed head) style can be formed!
Tip 2: At this time of year I believe a good all round multi vitamin should be taken for the hair, Solgar and Centrum are excellent examples. I also feel, as so many people are deficient in vitamin D 1000iu can be taken in either tablet or spray version (latter Holland and Barratt). I strongly advise the specific hair supplements are avoided as overpriced and of no proven benefit to the hair, beyond placebo.
Tip 3: As suggested in the nutritionist’s article, the consumption of protein is vital to form strong hair that is resilient to the elements and chemical processing (such as highlights, tints, chemical straightening). The keratin bonds that form to make hair are made from cysteine and lysine that is found in large quantities in animal proteins. Therefore eat 2 portions a day of eggs, fish, chicken, beef, pork, dairy products. So if vegetarian you will need to have 5 portions of plant protein to match up, such as tofu, soya, nuts, seeds and pulses. The reason for the volume is that plant proteins cannot store as well as a second class protein, therefore, needs to be consumed more frequently.
Many of my regular blog readers and patients will be aware in 2016, I penned my first book on Trichology: Hair Loss: A Sufferer’s Guide. You are able to download it to read more on the nutritional aspect of hair where it includes example days of what to eat, also for vegetarians and vegan for the best quality lustrous hair.
Lastly, I wish you all the best and Happy New Year.
