Healthy looking hair is one of the most important complements of appearance. Due to various factors such as stress, unhealthy and unbalanced diet, environmental pollution, various health problems and the natural aging process, many people may face problems such as hair loss, hair breakage, hair loss of vitality and shine at some point in their lives, but unhealthy hair is not inevitable. Having information about effective tips to have healthy hair and getting support from anti-aging programs when necessary can help you achieve healthy looking hair.
What can be done to have healthy hair?
Hair grows and matures in the first three phases of its normal cycle (growth phase, transition phase when the growth phase ends and resting phase) and falls out in the last phase. At the end of the cycle, a new hair is prepared to grow (1). Factors such as improper shampoo use, unbalanced nutrition, excessive heat and cold exposure, vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause hair to wear out before completing this cycle. When faced with problems such as hair loss, it is important to first consult a specialist to determine the cause of hair loss. If necessary, you can get help from our expert health team in the Anti-Aging Program at Güven Rejuvenation Clinic to regain healthy hair.
Having healthy and strong hair requires a holistic approach. Various vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B7, also known as biotin, are needed to produce keratin (a type of protein), the basic building block of hair. Therefore, if you want to have healthy and thick hair, it is important to include foods rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamins and minerals in your diet. In addition, regular use of products such as hair serums, hair masks and the application of correct hair care techniques can help prevent hair damage by nourishing the scalp and help hair grow in a healthy way.
Nutrition for Healthy Hair
Having healthy hair is closely related to various factors such as age, genetic predisposition, environmental factors and medication use. While some of these factors cannot be changed, it may be possible to control dietary habits. It is important to provide the body with the nutrients it needs for the healthy development of hair follicles and cell renewal. The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to the causes of hair loss is the lack of vitamins such as biotin, vitamin B12 and vitamin D, and minerals such as iron and zinc.
Among the foods that support hair health, foods such as eggs, nuts, oily fish and spinach have an important place. Especially foods such as eggs, which are rich in nutrients such as protein and biotin, help strengthen hair follicles by supporting the synthesis of keratin, the basic building block of hair. In addition, seafood, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, nourishes the hair and scalp and helps hair grow in a healthy way. Antioxidant-rich fruits, especially red berries, can minimize the damage that free radicals can cause to hair follicles, making hair look stronger, shinier and healthier.
Protecting Hair Against Extreme Heat and Cold
Frequent use of hair styling products such as blow dryers and tongs can cause the hair to wear out and dry over time. At this point, if it is not possible to stop using hair styling products, products such as heat protective hair sprays and hair shampoo can be used. In addition, exposure to the harmful rays of the sun can also cause negative effects on hair moisture, especially hair dryness. Today, it is possible to access various products that can help protect hair from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
According to experts, although it is not always possible to protect your hair against extreme heat and cold, some methods can minimize the damage caused by heat. Some tips that can help protect hair against heat are as follows (3):
- You can rinse your hair with warm water: Rinsing your hair with cold water after showering can help hair look shinier.
- You can take care to hold the blow dryer at least 12 cm away from your hair: According to a 2011 study, holding the blow dryer at least 12 cm away can help protect hair follicles.
- You can use a microfiber towel: Using a microfiber towel after washing your hair allows the hair to dry faster, reducing the use of the hair dryer.
In addition, experts say that it is important for hair and scalp health to take care not to use heat styling products more than once a week.
In addition to these, the fact that the air outside is cold and the air inside is dry in winter is the main cause of hair wear. According to experts, using more products suitable for hair moisture, especially in winter, can help minimize hair damage (4).
Correct Haircut and Frequency
One of the main signs of deteriorating hair health is hair breakage. Although hair breakage starts at the ends, it progresses upwards like a sock rip. Therefore, in most cases, the only way to get rid of split ends is to get a haircut. Regular haircuts can help get rid of split ends and restore the vitality of the hair. Several studies show that getting a haircut every 10-12 weeks can help maintain healthy hair.
Washing the hair with the right frequency
Washing the hair more than necessary can cause the moisture balance of the hair and scalp to deteriorate, resulting in dry hair. One of the most important factors in the deterioration of hair health is the use of the wrong shampoo and the application of too much shampoo. According to experts, the ideal hair washing frequency should be every 2-3 days. However, in cases where it is not possible to wash the hair every 2-3 days and where it is necessary to wash the hair every day, care should be taken to wash the hair at most once a day (5, 6).
Regular Scalp Care
Massaging the scalp at regular intervals can help increase blood circulation and healthy hair growth. When washing the hair, applying the shampoo to the scalp instead of the hair and massaging the scalp in the same way at this stage helps both to prevent the hair from drying out as the shampoo does not come into direct contact with the hair and to increase blood circulation, which helps the hair grow healthy.
Choosing the Right Shampoo
Each hair type has different needs. For this reason, choosing the right shampoo is one of the important steps in having healthy hair. Those with dry hair structure can choose moisturizing shampoos formulated using natural oils such as shea butter and argan oil. These shampoos can prevent hair damage by trapping moisture in the hair. For those with oily hair, mild formula shampoos that balance excess oil are ideal. The most important feature of such shampoos is that they do not weigh down the hair while cleansing it from dirt and protect the moisture balance of the scalp. Today, it is possible to find various shampoos developed for colored hair. These shampoos can help protect the shine of the hair by preventing color fading (7).
Hair health can be affected by many factors such as the natural aging process, unhealthy diet, air pollution and stress. As Güven Rejuvenation Clinic, we draw a personalized anti-aging road map and help you to have healthy hair with dermatology specialist, plastic surgery specialist, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, clinical psychologist, nutrition and diet specialist, each of whom is competent in their field in the Anti-aging Program.
