Hair is perhaps the most recognizable part of a human body. It is a part of your personality and style. Having a full head of hair can boost your confidence to a great extent. You can style your hair in any which way you like if you have the apt volume and density.
However, damaged hair can be quite a challenge. It can also negatively affect your looks, adversely impacting your confidence.
Hair damage can be caused by a variety of factors. From exposure to the sun to lack of care, from genetics to environmental factors - the list is endless. This article looks at the tricky phenomenon of damaged hair, something that both men and women tend to grapple with.
We shall not only lay down the main reasons for hair being damaged, we shall also look at what can be done to cure hair damage and look at possible hair treatments.
What is Hair Damage?
Hair damage can refer to any one of several conditions that can affect human hair either separately or individually. From split ends to dry and frizzy hair, from hair fall to dandruff - the list for causes of hair damage is long and winding.
Let us look at the five main types of hair damage. In terms of hair texture, the main types of damage can be Frizzy hair and Dry hair. In terms of hair density, the damage can be of three main types: Thin hair, Hair fall and Hair loss.
Let us look at each of these damages carefully:
Frizzy hair
Dry and damaged hair that looks like broom sticks is called frizzy hair. Frizzy hair occurs because of the fact that hair loses moisture and becomes extremely dry and damaged. The hair strands start resembling the sticks of a broom.
Frizzy hair is not only unmanageable; it is also more prone to wear and tear than normal hair. You can hardly sport any good look on dry and frizzy hair. Finally, this type of hair is also prone to developing static electricity.
Dry hair
A close cousin of frizz, dry hair occurs when hair loses moisture more than usual. The result is, of course, dull and lifeless hair, which is susceptible to other forms of damage, such as hair thinning and dandruff.
Dandruff occurs when the dry skin on the scalp starts flaking. The white flakes are called dandruff. Dandruff is typically a symptom of excessive dry skin or a medical condition called Seborrheic Dermatitis, both of which lead to patchy and scaly skin.
Thinning of Hair
Every hair strand has a life cycle. It has a growth and regrowth period. Although hair strands are mainly made up of dead tissues called Keratin, the surrounding cells of the hair follicles and root are all living.
These cells encourage the growth of new hair strands as old hair falls off. However, sometimes because of genetic reasons or other reasons, old hair falls off and new hair does not grow. The existing hair thins out and the scalp becomes visible.
Hair Fall
Hair fall can be caused by genetic factors, environmental factors like dust and pollution and personal factors, such as hygiene.
Hair Loss
The most common form of hair loss in women is called Female Pattern Baldness. In men, it is called Male Pattern Baldness. Male Pattern Baldness appears in the shape of the letter M and then starts spreading throughout the scalp.
Female pattern baldness, on the other hand, appears in the shape of a Christmas tree and starts spreading throughout the scalp. Instead of a localized hair fall in the case of men, hair fall in women happens all over the scalp.
What are the 10 Best Hair Strengthening Treatments?
These are a couple of tips and tricks that can make your hair grow stronger from the roots. With these 10 hair strengthening tips, your hair will grow thicker and stronger in no time.
Easy-to-follow, quick and hassle-free, these hair strengthening tips can be followed at home whenever you have time to spare:
1. Massage your Hair
In order to grow your hair long and strong, your hair has to grow from the roots. One of the ways you can make your roots stronger is to massage your scalp lightly and regularly.
You can use various products: coconut oil and castor oil are good for hair growth; lavender oil encourages a good night’s sleep, while olive oil restores your hair and gives it a nice texture. Apart from hair growth, massaging helps in improving the texture of hair.
2. Use a mild shampoo
Cleaning the hair is a must. It is important to wash and clean your hair stands at least 4-5 days a week. This is because you are usually out and about every day. Your hair attracts dirt and grime that not only damages your existing hair strands but can also lead to hair fall.
This is precisely the reason why you should use a mild shampoo to wash your hair strands. Use an organic shampoo that is free from harmful chemicals.
Massage your hair strands gently with the shampoo and rinse with water. Repeat this process at least 4 times a week to get best results. A clean scalp is crucial for hair regrowth.
3. Conditioning is equally important
When you use a shampoo, you strip your hair of all the natural oils. Sure, you clean your scalp and get rid of all the dirt and grime, but shampoos have the tendency to strip your hair off the sebum or the natural oil as well.
Therefore, it is important to use a good quality conditioner. A conditioner restores the natural moisture of the hair strands. Repeated use of conditioners makes hair soft and supple. They also make your hair strands strong from the roots.
4. Change your Diet
Diet is crucial for healthy hair and skin. They say, you become what you eat. If your diet is nutritious, healthy hair should not be a problem. However, gorging on unhealthy food can ruin your hair and skin.
You should always opt for fresh fruits and veggies (for vitamins and minerals), seeds and pulses (for complex carbohydrates) and lean meat (for protein). Eggs, avocados, pulses, grains, berries such as blueberry, blackberry and strawberry and yogurt are great for hair as they are full of nutrients.
If consuming these items is a bit of a problem, you can apply them to your hair as well. Make an egg pack with a couple of egg yolks, runny honey and some Greek yogurt and apply them to your hair.
You can keep the pack for a couple of hours and then wash it off with a shampoo and a conditioner. The protein in the egg and yogurt will make your hair strong and beautiful.
5. Cut your split ends
Split ends are not a condition but a symptom of a condition. If you have excessive dry hair, you can suffer from split ends. Split ends occur when the hair strands split into two.
Sometimes, the split hair can get entangled, leading to hair damage and eventual hair fall. Regularly trimming your split ends can free you from the problem of damaged hair and also reduce hair fall related to split ends.
6. Don’t bun or braid your hair too often
Everybody loves a neat bun or a nice braid. However, it must be remembered that tying up your hair too tight or too often can result in hair breakage or damage. Instead, you should lightly tie it up with a band or wear a loose braid.
All ladies need to accept that it is always preferable to avoid fancy hairstyles that are too complicated and too tight. Such styles would most often lead to hair breakage.
7. Be careful about brushing
Excessive brushing is not good, although brushing itself has been recommended for long-lasting hair. The truth is that you should brush your hair two times a day (at least) with a brush made from either wood or from non-plastic substances.
Also brushing should always be gentle and at a steady pace. Otherwise, there is a chance that your hair might develop static electricity if you vigorously brush them with a plastic comb.
8. Drink more water
The importance of safe drinking water cannot be overemphasized for having luscious locks of hair. Water keeps you hydrated. A hydrated body not only leads to healthy skin but also healthy hair.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day to ensure that your hair is getting enough hydration. Coffee, soft drinks, sugary drinks and carbonated beverages are not only bad for your waistline; these can also dehydrate your skin and in turn your hair.
9. Supplements can be useful
While there is no alternative to healthy food and diet, it must be remembered that supplements can help in hair growth sometimes. Hair tonic and biotin supplements can work wonders.
Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy not just for the heart but also for the skin and hair. Calcium supplements make the bones strong and help in hair growth as well. Finally, vitamins such as A and C can also help in hair growth.
10. Chuck electronic gadgets and harmful hair products
Hair loves natural care. Use of excessive chemicals and frequent use of hair straighteners and curlers can damage the natural texture of hair.
If you are into hair straightening, make sure that your hair is getting enough care in terms of oil massages, regular brushing of hair, conditioning every now and then and use of serum or any hair product that is meant to nourish your hair.
Frequent blow drying and use of harsh hair care products can make your hair dry. Switch to natural products, such as the Carl Howell range of hair care and hair styling products, which can make your hair healthy and happy.
Conclusion
Hair damage can be an issue for a lot of individuals. From split ends to dry hair, from hair fall to baldness, the list of hair damage can be long. We, however, looked at some of the major types of hair damage:
- Frizzy hair
- Dry hair
- Thinning of hair
- Hair fall
- Hair loss and Pattern baldness
Left untreated, these issues can be long-lasting and may even cause permanent damage to hair. As such, you can take a few precautions and some home-made hair care steps, which would surely strengthen your hair.
These, as we discussed, included regular brushing, certain supplements and use of organic hair care products. We also noted how certain practices such as vigorous brushing of hair strands, use of hot curlers and harmful chemical-based products should be avoided if one wants to have strong hair.
For more than 45 years, Advanced Hair Studio has been caring for the hair of celebrities all over the world with a range of hair care products and world class treatments for hair fall and hair loss. Our treatments are available in both surgical and non-surgical options.
Our team of hair care experts will look at your hair with the help of Advanced Hair Check and tell you your future course of treatment. If the hair fall has just started, then opting for supporting hair care products and treatments can be an option.
Try out our Carl Howell Range for treating your damaged locks. Alternatively, if the hair fall is over too large an area, then a good option is hair transplant treatment called Strand-By-Strand Ultimate. Other hair loss treatments include Strand-By-Strand Cosmetic and Flashpoints - non-surgical procedures that are completely safe. With Advanced Hair Studio, you not only get your hair strength back but also your confidence.