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.

Continue to: Factors Responsible for Your Hair Damage

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