What is Your Hair Telling You About Your Health?

Some may believe it’s vanity when it comes to caring about your hair, but it’s really not! It can absolutely be tied to our self-esteem, but it can also be a great indicator of our health. Is your hair trying to talk to you? If it has any of these issues, here’s what it may be trying to say about underlying conditions.

Dry Hair

If your hair is on the dry end of the spectrum, it could be pointing to an issue with your diet. Healthy fats are fantastic for your skin as well as your scalp and hair. Consider adding avocados, fatty fish, nuts, and other foods with healthy fats to help give your hair and overall well-being a burst.

Brittle Hair

Have you ever run your hand or the brush through your hair and heard a “crunch?” Brittle hair can be the result of a few different problems.

In some people, it means you’re not making enough keratin and could be the result of a zinc or iron deficiency (or both). Other signs of a zinc deficiency include hair loss, eye problems, nail changes, and irritability. Iron deficiency, or anemia, can also appear as fatigue, pale skin, and cold hands and feet. Diet changes and supplements can make a difference here.

And, in some cases, brittle hair could even be a sign of Cushing’s syndrome.

Dull Hair

Dull hair can definitely put a damper on our day, but it may be more than a bad hair day. This can be another sign that you are running low on healthy fats in your diet. Dull hair can also be the result of too much sun.

A Little Graying or Premature Grays

For some of us, turning gray is just a fact of life and built into our genetics. However, if you’re getting a few strands here and there, especially if you’re too young for them, it could be pointing to stress – it’s not just an old wive’s tale! Hormones actually respond to stress and can impact cells that determine your hair color.

Loss of pigment can also be due to a copper deficiency which means adding mushrooms, seaweeds, and other items into your diet can help.

Thin Hair

Some of us have thinner hair than others, but if yours has thinned recently, it could mean your diet is lacking. Thin hair usually means you’re not getting enough protein – it needs amino acids. Failing to have enough can result in hair falling out. It would be a good idea to add poultry, nuts, and whole grains to your diet!

On the other hand, thinning hair can also mean you’re suffering from hypothyroidism. A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test can identify this issue.

Shedding Hair or Hair Loss

Shredding or hair loss could be the result of not enough protein, but it can also be another sign of low iron. Heavy periods, estrogen levels, and pregnancy can actually lead to this condition, too, but if it’s a suspected health issue, it’s important to get a test. A blood test can help rule out anemia.

Pattern Baldness

Did you know that pattern baldness, while part of normal aging for some, has been shown to be linked to hypertension? It’s not exactly clear what the connection is just yet, but if you’re experiencing pattern baldness, you might want to visit your doctor to check your blood pressure.

Male Pattern Baldness

Over 50% of men over the age of 50 experience male pattern baldness to some extent. It has been found to be caused by genetics and the male sex hormones known as androgens. Certain medications, such as minoxidil and finasteride can help slow hair loss or even stimulate hair follicles.

Split Ends

Split ends can come up if you haven’t had your hair cut in a while, overwashing, or are using certain products, but did you know they could be telling you something about your health, too? It may mean you’re dehydrated! Drinking more water and using hair moisturizers can keep split ends at bay.

What Else is Your Hair Trying to Say?

Of course, some of our hair problems can be tied to how it’s treated and might not always be the symptom of an underlying health problem. For example, dry, brittle hair can be a sign you’re exposing it to the sun too often – UV rays aren’t only bad for our skin! Your hair and skin will thank you if you wear a hat!

Too much heat, bleaching, chlorine, or at-home coloring products can cause hair problems, too. It’s important to use the correct hair products, including protective and post-color treatment, to keep your hair looking amazing.

And certain medications can also lead to issues with your hair. Antidepressants, steroids, and blood thinners have been found to cause temporary hair loss, for instance.

What About Your Scalp?

Your scalp could be trying to tell you some things about your health, too! Dandruff isn’t always the sign of a serious condition, but it could mean you’re using the wrong hair products or you’re eating too much dairy (it increases oil production and dandruff).

Yellow dandruff and yellow-white scales on your scalp can point to seborrheic dermatitis. Stress and hormonal changes can result in this issue, but it can be treated with the right shampoos and creams.

What Can You Do to Boost Your Hair and Scalp Health?

There are plenty of steps you can take to boost your hair and scalp health! Here are just a few tips and tricks to try out to keep your head looking its best:

Use rice water
It has been shown to help with growth, silkiness, and shine.
Use less heat
Heat can be great for styling hair, but too much can cause your hair to become brittle, especially if yours is on the finer side
Take more vitamins
Lacking Vitamin A and D, for instance, can take its toll on your hair health
Choose your shampoo (and the amount you use) wisely
If you’re washing your hair every day, you can dry it out.
Adjust your diet
Your diet can absolutely impact your hair health. For example, not enough protein can slow hair growth.
Use hot oil treatments such as coconut or avocado oil.
They have fatty acids and vital vitamins.

If you’re noticing sudden changes with your hair health, it’s important to not just write it off as age-related. It could be your body trying to tell you something else including underlying conditions. Schedule an appointment with me today to get to the bottom of your hair and get back that boost of self esteem our hair can deliver.

Sources

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