Healthy Hair From the Inside-Out
Have you ever washed your hair and noticed way more hair falling out than normal? How about waking up one morning and seeing an army of new grey hairs that seemingly came out of nowhere? Rude!
The health of our hair is often a good indicator of what is happening internally. Our hair’s health is not only affected by what we put on it, but also what we’re putting (or not putting) in our bodies.
Some of the major contributors to our hair health woes include unmanaged stress, nutritional deficiencies, and other medical conditions. There is also a genetic component to how our hair behaves as we age… however what's even more important is epigenetics, or the way our genes interact with our environment/ lifestyle choices.
The following are some of the most common culprits to subpar hair health.
Stress
There is no such thing as eliminating stress from our lives. Screaming kids, driving in traffic, paying the bills on time, adhering to deadlines at work; these are all elements of modern day living that usually can’t be avoided. But what we can do is manage our stress better. Chronic stress is one of the deadliest risks to our health. When we’re consistently in “fight or flight” mode, our body produces excess cortisol. While cortisol is an important hormone to our daily functioning, it becomes a problem when unmitigated.
It’s important that you incorporate activities that help your body get out of sympathetic aka “fight or flight” mode and into parasympathetic “rest and digest” mode. Some of the best ways to do this include incorporating mindfulness practices into your life- meditation, gentle exercise like hiking, walking, Pilates and yoga, and spending quality time with loved ones. Here is your permission to book yourself a spa service- it’s called health!
Nutritional Deficiencies
If we aren't getting enough nutrients, our hair is going to suffer as a result. Your body sees hair growth as a low priority item on the list of chores, and will save its store of vitamins and minerals for more crucial life functions. The main nutritional deficiencies correlated to hair loss include Zinc, Iron, and Vitamin D, and premature greying is often caused by a deficiency in B vitamins.
Be sure to include a diverse range of whole foods in your diet. Oysters are an incredible "beauty food" for their high Zinc and Iron content. Salmon, leafy greens, and legumes are high in B Vitamins and other micro-nutrients. You’ve probably heard the term “eat a rainbow a day” and this is a good thing to aim for when planning your meals. To get a broad spectrum of macronutrients and micronutrients, aim to eat at least 30 different foods over the course of a week.
hORMONAL CHANGES
As we (women) age, our bodies naturally produce less estrogen and more androgens. Thinning hair is an all-too-often side effect of these hormonal changes. Other hormonal changes associated with hair loss include PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), thyroid disorders, and chronic stress (cortisol is a hormone!).
Talking to a naturopathic or functional doctor to address these hormonal changes in a more holistic, integrative way can pay dividends when it comes to our more superficial concerns.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Diabetes and insulin resistance can lead to hair loss and/or stunted hair growth, as a result of the restriction of blood flow to the hair follicles. This is why diet and lifestyle plays such a huge role in the health of our hair! There are also other medical conditions, including thyroid disorder and autoimmune disorders, that can impact the health of our hair.
If you noticed significant hair loss after a COVID-19 infection, know that you are not alone. Telogen effluvium, the medical term for hair loss/ thinning, has been well documented in correlation with the COVID-19 infection. This is something that usually resolves itself, but it can be quite alarming while it’s happening. If you have noticed significant hair loss after having COVID, look into incorporating a high quality hair growth supplement to encourage new growth.
All this being said, there is NOTHING to be ashamed of if you are dealing with issues with your hair health! I like to think of our hair and skin as the great messengers of our body. They’re signaling to use that something isn’t functioning quite right internally, and it’s a great indication to dig a little deeper.
It’s also a good idea to talk with your hair stylist at Salon Marcé about what kinds of hair products and styling techniques you can implement into your routine to encourage healthier hair. Now that’s what I call a whole-istic approach to improving the health and appearance of our hair.
