Common Causes For Hair Loss

Androgenetic alopecia—male/female pattern hair loss)—is the most common type of hair loss. It is an inherited, autoimmune condition in which the hair gradually starts to thin. This condition causes round patches of hair loss after puberty. It is more common in people with thyroid disorders.

Other contributors to hair loss and hair fall include

• Hormonal fluctuations
• Stress
• Recent surgery or treatments
• Illnesses like cancer and related medications
• Genetic disorders and inflammatory diseases
• Pregnancy
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Simple diet and exercise are useful in keeping your hair healthy—but that’s not the whole picture. Vitamins and minerals are also vital to keeping your body and hair young and revitalised as well.

What are vitamins?

A vitamin is a substance that is present in trace amounts within the foods we naturally eat. Vitamins can be vital to healthy bodily functions, enhancing your body in a variety of ways. This is one of the reasons why nutritionists and health professionals recommend a balanced diet.

The human body requires 13 vitamins. They are divided into two groups as follows:

Fat-soluble vitamins: when consumed, these vitamins are stored in the fatty tissue, muscles, and liver. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K.

Water-soluble vitamins: these include vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, and C. They are nutrients that are soluble in water and are not stored within the body.

Why do we need vitamins and supplements for hair?

Hair requires specific nutrients to look healthy and maintain its volume. Deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to faster hair loss and poor hair growth. Vitamins like iron, biotin, and omega-3 can help support your hair growth and volume. 

Here are some key ways that vitamin and supplement deficiencies can affect your hair:

1. Dandruff

Dandruff is a common problem that affects everyone—irrespective of their hair type. It makes the hair dry and dull and can make the scalp feel dry, itchy, and flaky. 

Dandruff can worsen during winter since the scalp is robbed of its existing moisture. If left untreated, dandruff can cause excess hair fall.

2. Hair loss

Ageing, hereditary factors, illness, hormonal changes, and diseases like Alopecia areata can all contribute to rapid hair loss. A lot of these reasons can be staved off with the right vitamin intake.

3.Greasy hair

People with hormonal issues produce excess sebum (oil) from the scalp’s sebaceous glands. Oily hair gives off a limp look, leading people to overwash their hair. Oily hair is also more susceptible to dandruff. Both factors can lead to excess hair fall.

4. Split ends

Split ends are the first sign of hair damage. It stifles hair growth and makes the hair look lifeless and untidy.

5. Dry hair

Lack of natural moisture is the foremost reason for dry hair. Dry hair can also be caused by humidity and genetics. Dry hair can cause a variety of problems that make the hair look brittle and difficult to manage.

A lot of these problems can be fixed with measured vitamin and supplement intake. Let’s take a closer look at the role of vitamins and supplements in hair health.

The Best Vitamins for Healthy Hair Growth

1. Vitamin A

Also known as retinol, vitamin A also contributes to hair growth. It supports the secretion of sebum—a natural oil that the hair produces. 

Sebum keeps the scalp moisturised, preventing hair from drying out and breaking off. Vitamin A also helps create new hair cells and helps fight against free radicals that damage hair. 

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for stimulating keratinocytes—a type of cell that is key to hair growth. New hair grows from the follicle when there’s enough vitamin D to produce thick hair.

For optimal vitamin D levels, choose vitamin D3, which is considered its most effective form. You can also find vitamin D through various food and sun exposure.

3. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a crucial component in DNA creation. Therefore, a diet that is rich in vitamin B12 ensures that your DNA is free from defects or changes. It also acts as a key component in red blood cell formation. DNA and red blood cells are crucial supporters of strong hair growth.

4. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is considered a powerhouse when it comes to skin—including the scalp and hair. It helps increase blood circulation to your scalp and is a great stimulator for hair follicles. 

Vitamin C can keep your hair from ageing and stimulate hair growth. Vitamin C is also an important aspect in collagen production—which makes keratin (the protein found in hair). 

5. Vitamin E

This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant in the body. Vitamin E can increase blood circulation to the scalp and promote hair growth. Apart from diet, you can directly apply vitamin E to the scalp for better results.

This vitamin also helps moisturise the hair and scalp, reduce cell damage, and balance pH levels and sebum production. This helps prevent breakage and split ends to stimulate lasting hair growth. 

6. Biotin (Vitamin B7)

This vitamin is a complex B vitamin that is often recommended for hair growth benefits. Biotin has properties that produce red blood cells that carry nutrients and oxygen to the scalp. 

It also boosts hair follicles, which play a vital role in keratin production—the main protein component in hair.

7. Iron

There is a link between iron deficiencies and drastic hair loss. Iron-rich food can boost circulation and help oxygen to move more efficiently into our cells. 

Iron deficiency can limit your haemoglobin production—this affects oxygen delivery to the scalp. Poor circulation to the scalp can be detrimental to your hair growth.

8. Zinc

Zinc is essential for keratin production. Healthy keratin production is important for developing resistant hair strands. Your zinc intake can help regulate your body’s dihydrotestosterone (DHT) production—which can shrink your hair follicles and result in hair loss.

Points to be noted

Vitamins and supplements are great for hair and skin health. However, overconsumption can also have negative effects on your body. Consult with your physician to perfect your recommended dosage.

Toni & Guy Essensuals: Unisex Hair Salon in Chennai

The professionals at Toni & Guy are trained to provide premium services to our clients. Our main focus is always the client’s satisfaction. We dedicate time and effort to ensure that when the client steps out of our salon—they look and feel their best. 

Depending on your hair type, environmental factors, and other aspects, your hair care needs are different, and we train our experts to spot the difference and treat your problems on a personal and rewarding level.

Similar to facial exfoliation, our salons have scalp scrubs for all kinds of hair. Our professionals use gentle exfoliating ingredients to remove dead skin cells and stimulate healthier blood flow to the scalp. 

This promotes a healthy environment for new hair growth and keeps your scalp feeling refreshed. Our Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse, Deep conditioning treatment, and targeted scalp massages are some of the other services that help you achieve hair that looks young and lustrous.

Want to take your hair care to the next level? Contact us or visit our branches for a consultation.

Takeaway

• Hair care is incomplete without proper nutrition.
• Vitamin and mineral intake is crucial to maintaining healthy and lustrous hair.
• Without the right vitamins, your hair can suffer from dryness, excess oil, dandruff, and other issues.
• A diet rich in vitamins A, D, B12, C, E, Biotin, Iron and Zinc can change your hair care game in a big way.
• Toni & Guy Essensuals is the best salon for hair care consultations in Chennai. Visit our stores to learn how you can keep your hair healthy and full of life.

FAQ’s

1. Is it possible to grow hair faster?

No. Hair grows at an average rate of 0.5 inches per month. This rate remains the same no matter what treatments or dietary changes you make.

2. How many times a week should I wash my hair?

No more than 3 times a week. Excessive washing can affect your hair’s health and strength.

3. How can I maintain my hair and avoid damage?

Be gentle when washing and detangling your hair. A wide-toothed comb is perfect for untangling wet hair. You can also let it dry naturally. Avoid using hot water—it can strip natural oils and cause dryness.

4. Can too much biotin cause hair loss?

Yes. When consumed in excess, all vitamins and minerals, including biotin, are harmful.

5. What happens if you take too much vitamin D?

Excess intake of Vitamin D can cause bone pain, kidney stones and other issues.