I’m a hair expert – six health woes your locks are trying to warn you about & my lazy hack to reverse greys
FROM split ends to dandruff, your mane could be revealing secrets about your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Stylist and hair expert for extension brand Milk + Blush, Alice Dawkins, shares some common hair symptoms that may indicate an underlying health problem.
Grey hairs
Greying hair can be an inevitable side effect of ageing, but premature colour changes can reflect high-stress levels.
Our hair colour is determined by stem cells contained within hair follicles. These cells disappear as we age, so new hair growth has less pigment and will begin to appear grey.
However, different forms of stress have been found to accelerate the loss of stem cells.
Prolonged periods of emotional or physical strain can lead to a faster onset of grey hair.
While going grey is inevitable for many, it is possible to actually reverse some greying.
It is thought that a period of relaxation following a stressful time can cause grey hair to reverse back to the hair’s natural colour.
Most people will begin to notice some stray grey hairs in their thirties, so it is important to prevent unnecessary anxiety and prioritise stress relief early in life to slow the grey hair transition.
Thinning hair
It is not uncommon for hair to sometimes enter phases of thinning naturally during pregnancy, or times of stress.
But thinning can also be a side effect of thyroid problems.
Thyroid difficulties can happen when the thyroid gland, which is found under the voice box, is working too hard or not working hard enough, and hair loss is common in both instances.
If you experience hair loss, it is important to consult a medical professional to identify any potential underlying causes.
To reduce any thinning at home, opt for products that contain salicylic acid, caffeine and natural oils like coconut and olive.
These will help to gently exfoliate and cleanse the hair and scalp, stimulate hair follicles and hydrate locks.
People with thinning hair should also minimise heat styling and avoid applying tight hairstyles.
Excess shedding
Excessive hair shedding is not uncommon from time to time, but consistent problems may be due to low iron levels.
Iron is an essential vitamin in our bodies which is needed to circulate oxygen around the body, including to the scalp and hair follicles to assist with hair growth and scalp health.
Low iron levels can cause anaemia, where the body reduces the production of red blood cells and therefore less oxygen is carried around the body.
Instead, oxygen is channeled to the more essential functions in the body. Without oxygen, follicles begin to die and eventually fall out.
You can check your iron levels by consulting a medical professional who may prescribe iron supplements to boost your levels.
It is also important to eat an iron-rich diet, which includes a variety of meats, dairy and leafy greens.
Flaking scalp
The scalp can become dry for numerous reasons, such as a change in weather conditions, heavy product use and regular hairstyling.
But consistent flaking issues may point to skin conditions like psoriasis.
Psoriasis causes excess skin shedding and appears anywhere around the body in what are called ‘plaques’, which are powdery and dry in consistency.
When scratched, the plaques can flake off and leave a dusty residue on the scalp and in hair.
Mild psoriasis can be soothed with topical creams, but it is worth checking in with a medical practitioner.
Minimise symptoms by limiting sun exposure, washing hair no more than three times a week with cold or lukewarm water.
Also avoid hair products that contain drying ingredients like alcohol, fragrance and sulphates.
Use products in your hair that contain salicylic acid and coal tar which gently exfoliate the scalp.
Coconut oil and shea butter can be used to hydrate and soothe itchiness too.
Split ends
Split ends often occur when your body is dehydrated, as much-needed moisture is directed to more critical functions, leaving your scalp and locks lacking.
Water makes up roughly a quarter of a single hair strand, but without sufficient moisture, hair can become brittle as cuticles splinter, causing split ends and damage.
To help your mane recover, make sure to use plenty of moisturising hair products that contain ingredients like coconut, avocado and jojoba oil and use a conditioning hair mask once a week.
Avoid using hot water to wash your hair or heat styling, to allow your hair to recuperate.
My top tip is to drink around two litres of water each day to boost scalp hydration.
Hair breakage
Minimal hair loss is normal, as the average person sheds roughly 50-100 hairs per day without noticing.
Excessive breakage, however, can be an indicator of a deficiency, such as lack of protein.
Like the rest of your body, hair needs protein to stay healthy and shiny. Hair strands are made of keratin, a natural protein produced by your body. This is composed of amino acid chains which, when weakened, can cause locks to become brittle and break.
They can be damaged by excessive heat exposure, colouring and styling treatments which can impact the integrity of the hair. In some instances, this can lead to hair loss.
Equally, too much protein can reduce natural hair elasticity and lead to breakage.
You can give your hair a boost of protein by eating protein-rich food.
Eggs, fish, nuts, meat, and legumes are great proteins to include in your diet to reduce hair loss and improve hair health over time.
Additionally, you can apply a protein treatment every one to four weeks at home to help deficient hair recover.
Apply a coin-sized amount to freshly washed wet hair, from scalp to ends, and leave to sit for up to 30 minutes before rinsing.