Being considered non-essential, hair health and quality can often fall by the wayside as we address other health challenges. However, changes in hair quality, texture, and hair loss can be indicative of imbalances in the body that are crying out for attention.
If your hair quality has changed significantly, or you’ve started to lose hair, you know how distressing it can be, and understand why so much time and money is invested into hair loss products that slow or reverse the process of thinning hair.
These products work in different ways, but they are mostly bandaids for a problem that can stem from many possible sources.
Hair loss can be the result multiple issues and imbalances in the body, including:
Hormones - affecting both men and women, hair loss that occurs due to hormonal imbalances needs a thorough evaluation. This kind of hair loss often affects the crown of the head and makes that part seem wider and wider. Male and female hormones are important to look at, but also insulin and cortisol can play a role. Speaking of cortisol…
Stress - hair loss can be the direct result of stress. If you are losing hair in patches or all over the head suddenly, you may want to think back a couple of months and consider whether there was a seriously stressful life event that occurred.
Hypothyroidism - a common cause of hair thinning, low thyroid hormone can affect hair loss, as well as eyebrow thinning.
Autoimmune - autoimmune processes can affect hair growth and damage hair follicles. It is typically a patchy hair loss, but can also be diffuse.
Infections - scalp infections and imbalances in scalp flora can alter hair growth and cause hair loss. This might be visible to you with skin changes/itching, but can be invisible and asymptomatic.
Nutrients - deficiencies in iron, zinc, essential fatty acids, and protein can cause thinning of hair all over the head.
If deficiencies are uncovered, it is crucial to know WHY they occurred. Is it because the nutrients are not consumed, or not absorbed, or lost/inhibited in the body?
Getting to the bottom of hair loss is where naturopathic and functional medicine can really shine! If your provider doesn’t know what to do with you concern of hair loss, it might be time to expand your care team.
What can I do to support hair health and growth?
Diet:
Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables provide the crucial micronutrients that are crucial for hair health
Organic free range/grass fed meats and wild caught fish provide essential nutrients and fatty acids for hair health
Healthy fats are an important component of hormonal health, skin and scalp support
Adequate hydration is critical for skin and scalp health
Sleep:
Ensuring adequate sleep is important for hormonal health, digestive health, and stress management. Make sure you are getting at least 7-8 hours of good quality sleep nightly.
Stress:
A healthy stress response means that you are still functioning well even in stressful circumstances. If stress is overwhelming you, your hair health may be suffering. Stress also affects our digestion and hormonal health, meaning that you hair may not be getting the nutrients it needs.
Tips for healthy hair:
Make sure you are having regular trims, at least every 6 months
Use less heat in styling by lowering the temperature or skipping styling everyday
Go longer between washes to allow for natural oil production
End your showers on cool water to increase circulation of the scalp. This has the added benefit of stimulating the immune system!
Try microfiber towels for curls to decrease frizz
Use non-damaging hair accessories and try not to pull hair back too tightly
Nourish the scalp with topical applications of castor oil or argan oil to support the integrity of the scalp and hair
Rebalance the scalp microbiome and increase circulation with topical applications of a rosemary infused oil
Collagen supplementation, omega-3 fatty acids, and multivitamins can all support hair health. Consult with your healthcare provider before using any new supplements.