What does it mean to have healthy hair?
Healthy hair is healthy when it is strong and flexible, can be easily detangled and there is no excessive hair loss. It is normal to lose between 50 and 100 strands a day.
Hair is a filament that grows from the scalp. It has two parts; an internal part made up of the root and the follicle and an external part, which is the visible hair. This last part is made up of three layers: the medulla, the cortex and the cuticle (hair scales), where we can see the cells intertwined with each other.
It is difficult to achieve an optimal hair appearance when our organism presents functional disorders such as hormonal, infectious, dietary and digestive disorders. Proper nutrition will surely result in healthy hair.
Hair damaging factors
It is difficult to achieve an optimal hair appearance when our organism presents functional disorders such as hormonal, infectious, dietary and digestive disorders. Proper nutrition will surely result in healthy hair.
Hair damaging factors
Inadequate nutrition: Deficient nutrition as regards micronutrients can cause hair deterioration. Amino acids such as l-cystine, vitamins A and B, and minerals such as zinc contribute to hair health.
Environmental pollution (free radicals): Free radicals are atoms or molecules that act as oxidizing agents, causing damage and deterioration of the hair structure. One example is tobacco smoke, which generates a large amount of free radicals. Contaminating particles make the state of the cuticle worse as they disarrange its structure, thus resulting in brittle hair.
Heat: The excessive use of heat sources, such as hair dryers and flat irons, cause hair dehydration. Heat opens the hair cuticles, thus letting moisture escape and making it more brittle and dry.
Stress: Stress causes diffuse hair loss over a certain period of time. This hair loss is due to an alteration in the hair cycle that affects the hair follicles during their growth phase. The body reacts to stress by releasing corticosteroids, thus producing a stimulation of the sebaceous glands that increase the production of sebum and a decrease in the concentration of intrafollicular oxygen, which results in subsequent hair thinning and loss.
Sun: The sun's rays weaken hair follicles. UV rays, specifically, penetrate the cuticles and cause dehydration.
Environmental pollution (free radicals): Free radicals are atoms or molecules that act as oxidizing agents, causing damage and deterioration of the hair structure. One example is tobacco smoke, which generates a large amount of free radicals. Contaminating particles make the state of the cuticle worse as they disarrange its structure, thus resulting in brittle hair.
Heat: The excessive use of heat sources, such as hair dryers and flat irons, cause hair dehydration. Heat opens the hair cuticles, thus letting moisture escape and making it more brittle and dry.
Stress: Stress causes diffuse hair loss over a certain period of time. This hair loss is due to an alteration in the hair cycle that affects the hair follicles during their growth phase. The body reacts to stress by releasing corticosteroids, thus producing a stimulation of the sebaceous glands that increase the production of sebum and a decrease in the concentration of intrafollicular oxygen, which results in subsequent hair thinning and loss.
Sun: The sun's rays weaken hair follicles. UV rays, specifically, penetrate the cuticles and cause dehydration.
How to contribute to healthy hair
Dietary habits: Incorporating foods rich in sulfur amino acids, magnesium, vitamins A and B, and zinc can contribute to maintaining healthy hair.
Nutritional supplements: In cases where, despite following a healthy diet and life habits, a reinforcement is needed to maintain healthy hair. There are nutritional supplements that provide the right components to achieve this.
Personal hygiene products: It is important to know the particular characteristics of your hair in order to choose the right hair hygiene products.
Dietary habits: Incorporating foods rich in sulfur amino acids, magnesium, vitamins A and B, and zinc can contribute to maintaining healthy hair.
Nutritional supplements: In cases where, despite following a healthy diet and life habits, a reinforcement is needed to maintain healthy hair. There are nutritional supplements that provide the right components to achieve this.
Personal hygiene products: It is important to know the particular characteristics of your hair in order to choose the right hair hygiene products.
