What Your Hair Can Say About Your Health

We all have good and bad hair days, but changes in your hair may be an indication of something more severe. Your hair often gives clues as to what is happening in your body and is an indicator of your overall health. Many factors, such as diet, stress, medications, medical conditions, and more, can affect your hair.

Dandruff

Dandruff is a common scalp condition that is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. The common symptoms of dandruff often include flakes on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard, shoulders, and clothing. Many people also experience an irritated and itchy scalp.


Several things cause dandruff. Excessively dry or oily hair and sensitivity to hair care products, known as contact dermatitis, can all cause dandruff. The condition can also be the result of skin ailments, such as psoriasis or eczema. Dandruff symptoms can worsen during periods of stress and tend to flare in cold, dry seasons.

Dry or Brittle Hair

Brittle hair can result from several things, including medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing's syndrome, a rare disease caused by too much cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. In addition, diets deficient in zinc and iron can also cause your hair to become brittle.

Hair that remains dry year-round may result from a lack of healthy fats needed to maintain healthy hair follicles and hair. Often the solution is to add an abundance of foods that contain healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocado, and salmon. In addition, heat damage from the overuse of hot styling tools, such as flat irons, blow dryers, and curling irons can also leave your hair dry and brittle.

Premature Graying

Some medical conditions, including autoimmune diseases, increase the risk of developing gray hair early. For example, research shows that there is a connection between thyroid dysfunction and hair abnormalities. In addition, white hair is a common symptom in patients with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss and melanin deficiency.

In addition to medical conditions, gray hair can be caused by personal habits and product use. For instance, research has shown that smokers have a higher chance of turning gray before age 30, and some of the chemicals in hair dyes, shampoos, and other hair products can also contribute to graying hair.

Thinning Hair and Hair Loss

The average person loses from 100 to 150 hairs every day as part of the hair's natural growth cycle. But when you start to notice more hair on your brush or in the sink when you wash your hair, it may be an indication of a hair loss condition.

While genetics play a significant role, many factors can contribute to or trigger thinning hair and hair loss. Thinning hair and hair loss are symptoms of several medical ailments. As the body struggles to fight disease and maintain normal functions, nutrients are diverted from secondary processes such as hair growth.

Environmental factors can also impact your overall health and the health of your hair. For example, air pollution and overusing some styling products can damage the hair and the hair follicle's ability to produce healthy hair.

Contact the Professionals at Mane Image

The health of your hair can tell you plenty about your overall health. For example, changes in hair texture, color, thickness, or volume may be the start of genetic hair loss or the first symptom of an underlying medical condition.

Whatever the reason, the first step to solving your issue is to determine the cause. At Mane Image, we are experts in all aspects of hair care. We can help you find a solution to your hair issues that meet your specific needs. Contact us today and schedule your FREE initial consultation to learn more about what your hair can say about your health.