hair health – Hello Doctor

5 natural ingredients for healthy hair

September 26th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Are you struggling to find the right product for your hair, or simply looking for a cheaper option? We’ve scoped out some natural remedies that make good alternatives to expensive products. Bonus: they can also help heal pesky hair problems.

Remember: As with any other natural oil, it’s important to do a patch test first: rub it on a small part of your skin, such as your arm or hand, and give it a few hours to make sure it doesn’t irritate your skin.

1. The problem: hair breakage and split ends.

The solution: coconut oil.

Coconut oil is the only oil in hair products that can minimise protein loss, says a study in the Journal of Cosmetic Science. This means it’s effective in preventing hair breakage, which is great news if you’re regularly shedding hair. This fragrant substance has been used since ancient times in India for hair grooming, thanks to its moisturising properties.

How does it do this? The molecules in the oil get into the hair shaft, and repairs damaged, dry hair. They then seal the outside part of each hair, (the cuticle), that keeps it from breaking. Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, capric acid and Vitamin E to increase and retain hair strength.

How to use it

Rinse your hair before shampooing and apply a tablespoon of coconut oil from the ends of the hair up to the scalp. If you have an oily scalp, only use coconut oil from the middle down toward the ends, as it can be too heavy for people with oily scalps. Cover with a shower cap and leave on for at least 10 minutes, or preferably overnight. Shampoo and condition as normal.

2. The problem: slow-growing hair.

The solution: castor oil.

Although there’s no clinical evidence claiming that castor oil is a remedy for alopecia (hair loss), the oil has been used for centuries. Castor oil can kill viruses and bacteria, making it a popular treatment for dry scalp and scalp fungus, which are indirectly linked to slower hair growth. Castor oil also contains Omega-6 and 9 beneficial fatty acid, which condition your scalp.

The reason why castor oil could possible help stimulate hair growth, is because it contains ricinoleic acid which increases circulation to the scalp. The increase in circulation is what could help with hair growth.

How to use it

Apply castor oil to damp hair and the scalp and let it soak in for a few hours, preferably overnight if possible. Wash the oil out of the hair with your normal shampoo and condition afterwards. If you find the smell a bit strong, add a few drops of an essential oil like lavender to mask the smell.

3. The problem: dull hair colour

The solution: a tea rinse

Tea’s not just for drinking; it’s great for your hair too. Say thanks to its medicinal, rejuvenating properties. Rinsing your hair with tea can make it shinier, and add a new lease of life to colour-treated hair. Tea contains antioxidants which can help fight sun damage that dries out the hair. Use chamomile tea for blonde hair, Rooibos for red hair, and black tea for brunette or black hair.

How to use it

Use the tea as your final rinse after a wash. Simply brew a pot of your preferred tea, let it cool and rinse your hair after shampooing and conditioning. Do not rinse again.

4. The problem: chemically damaged hair

The solution: Argan oil

Argan oil comes from the unroasted kernels of the Argania Spinosa fruit, and has become the latest star of hair and skincare products. There’s good reason for the popularity, though, as its therapeutic benefits have been claimed by Moroccans for more than eight centuries. In a study done on chemically treated and coloured hair, it’s been shown that Argan oil contains oleic and linoleic acids, which reduce breakage and upward bending of the hair cuticle, leading to a damaged, dull appearance. The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology also mentions that Argan oil’s high content of monounsaturated fatty acids can benefit the overall condition of the scalp and hair.

How to use it

Use pure oil as a leave-in treatment after your wash. Rub a few drops of oil between your palms and massage through towel-dried or damp hair before styling.

5. The problem: dandruff

The solution: tea tree oil

Dandruff can have several causes, like dry scalp or a skin condition like eczema, psoriasis or a yeast fungus called Malassezia. Tea tree oil is known for its antifungal and antimicrobial properties and is said to be an effective solution to dandruff. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology has shown that only five percent of tea tree oil in shampoo can significantly provide relief for dandruff. If you do consider using tea tree oil, be careful of inhaling or swallowing it as the concentrated form can cause irritation or digestive problems.

How to use it

Simply add a couple of drops of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo before applying to your hair. If you suspect that your current shampoo might cause scalp irritation, switch to a shampoo with a gentler formula first.

References

How much hair loss is normal for a man?

July 17th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

If you’re watching your hair go down the drain, or looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing more of your forehead, you may be worried. As we age, we lose hair. That’s normal. But how much hair loss is normal for a man?

What is androgenic alopecia?

It’s the fancy medical term for male or female pattern hair loss, which causes thinning of hair, and possibly, baldness. It’s related to androgen hormones and genetics with genes being inherited from both parents.

It can start from as early as age 15-25 in men, and age 25-30 in women

In androgenetic alopecia, there’s sensitivity to an androgen hormone, called DHT (dihydrotestosterone), in certain areas of the scalp.

DHT shortens the growth phase of the hair cycle from the usual 3-6 years, to weeks or months
DHT also leads to miniaturisation of hair follicles

What does male pattern hair loss look like?

Gradual hair thinning, most commonly involving the crown and front of the scalp
Regression of the temple hairline, resulting in the typical “M” shape forehead
Hair in affected areas may be of different lengths, thickness and texture

What is meant by “hair miniaturisation”?

Hairs on the scalp grow in tufts, or so-called “follicular units” containing 1-4 full thickness hairs (this differs from other areas of the body). In androgenetic alopecia, the tufts progressively lose hairs: individual hairs produced by these follicles decrease in size (in diameter and length) and eventually disappear altogether, causing balding

Well, how much hair loss is normal then?

A standardised “60 second hair count” is regarded as a reliable method of assessing hair shedding How to do the hair count:

wash your hair over 3 days
on the 4^th day, comb your hair forwards for 60 seconds over a contrasting colour towel or pillowcase before shampooing
then count the hair loss for three consecutive days
usually only about 10 hairs on average are lost per day in normal healthy males, regardless of whether you’re young or middle-aged
the test can be repeated on a monthly basis to keep a check on your hair health

What can be done about male pattern hair loss?

Minoxidil liquid or foam

it promotes hair growth by lengthening the growth phase of hair follicles and causing more hair follicles to produce hair
hairs that are produced tend to be larger and thicker
the scalp is treated, not the hair
it must be used for at least 6 months to see a difference, and if effective, must be continued indefinitely, otherwise the beneficial effect will be lost
it works best in men where baldness has been present for less than 5 years, when it affects the crown of the head and where the hair loss area is less than 10cm in diameter

Finasteride pills

it decreases the production of one of the hormones associated with androgenetic alopecia, resulting in an increased amount of hair covering the scalp
it cannot be used in women and should not be handled by any woman who is, or may become pregnant

Surgical techniques

Hair transplantation: healthy follicles from other parts of the scalp (often the back and sides) are transplanted to areas affected by baldness
Scalp reduction: bald patches of scalp are removed and remaining skin is sewn together
FUT (follicular unit transplantation): the surgeon harvests a strip of scalp and cuts it into groups of 3-4 hairs
FUE (follicular unit extraction): this involves robotically harvesting individual follicles from the back of the head
Hair pieces/wigs, tattoo techniques (micro-pigmentation to resemble a shaven scalp).

How much hair loss is normal in women?

July 5th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

The bald or the beautiful? Culturally, women’s hair is often seen as part of their pride, and – since less women go bald than men – it can be quite challenging when you start noticing how your thick curls start giving way to your scalp. 85% of women regard their hair as their single most important feminine asset … so, losing it, is a big deal!

Continue reading “How much hair loss is normal in women?”

What every parent should know about head lice

August 20th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

Lice! Yuck. But head lice are a common problem amongst kids, and it’s important to do a regular check for them. Sit your child under a bright light, separate their hair into sections and look for nits, or eggs at the roots of the hair. Continue reading “What every parent should know about head lice”

A bad hair day

June 6th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

Could your hair be telling you there’s something amiss with your health? Your hair can definitely give you a “heads up” as a first sign of an underlying medical disorder. Before you put it down to a bad hair day, let’s take a closer look! Continue reading “A bad hair day”

Suffering from acne? Is your shampoo to blame?

December 17th, 2014 by The Hello Doctor Team

So, did you think you’d waved goodbye to those pesky pimples after your teenage years? Think again! If you’re finding spots popping up and aren’t sure why, the culprit could be hiding in your bathroom – your shampoo! Continue reading “Suffering from acne? Is your shampoo to blame?”

Four ageing myths for men

August 16th, 2014 by The Hello Doctor Team

In a world that praises youth and beauty, it’s not uncommon to find people who fear ageing. People aren’t always scared of the wrinkles and grey hair, but are scared of losing their body, their sexual desires and developing various conditions and diseases. But the truth is, many of these conditions can affect young men too. Here are just a few misconceptions that men have when it comes to ageing. Continue reading “Four ageing myths for men”