Answering your hair questions

Those things you've heard about hair... are they true? Let's square away four common hair care questions.

What causes dandruff and how can I get rid of it?

Dandruff results when the outermost layer of our skin (the epidermis) is replacing old cells with new cells. When the turnover rate of cells being formed is high, dead cells collect on the epidermis of the scalp and clump together to form larger flakes that become obvious. With dandruff, washing with regular or medicated shampoo should be sufficient to control it. Medicated shampoos may contain active ingredients that help slow down dandruff buildup or remove excess flakes. Look for these ingredients to help fend off dandruff:

  • pyrithione zinc
  • selenium compounds
  • salicylic acid
  • sulphur
  • coal tar
  • ketoconazole

Sometimes, dandruff is mistaken for seborrheic dermatitis, a skin condition that causes redness, inflammation, and itchy patches on the head and the body. Seborrheic dermatitis should be looked at by a dermatologist, and it requires different treatment than dandruff.

Is it true that cutting your hair makes it grow faster? Does shaving really cause hair to grow back thicker?

A friend of a friend's friend used to swear that trimming off a baby's eyelash and scalp hair will help it grow back thicker and longer. Don't we all wish that was true! Unfortunately, cutting or trimming your hair will not make it grow back faster or thicker. This may be a comforting fact to know when it applies to the hair on your legs and underarms, but perhaps somewhat disappointing to realize if you've always wanted lusciously long eyelashes or a thick mane. In fact, the thickness of your hair shaft is a matter of genes. But all that cutting and regular trimming isn't wasted, since regular grooming helps keep your locks healthy and protect it from split ends.

Why do some people have greasy hair and some have dry hair?

Within the hair follicle are the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum – the oil that your body produces to condition the hair and skin. At puberty, our bodies make the most sebum, but after this growth spurt, we produce less sebum as we age. This is the reason some people have to wash their hair more often and other people have very dry scalps. Oily or greasy hair can sometimes result from not washing our hair enough, which causes a buildup of dirt and sweat, creating a grimy film. Frequent washing with shampoo should be sufficient to keep your hair manageable.

On the other hand, dry hair is the result of hair that has been damaged – by frequent chemical treatments, bleaching, tying hair too tightly, or simply by having hair grow too long. Long hair is more prone to dryness because it's exposed to harsher conditions for longer periods of time. Dry hair is the result of the core of the hair shaft becoming damaged and porous so it's unable to retain moisture or water. In these cases, applying hair conditioner will help coat the hair shaft and keep the moisture in. Conditioners often contain panthenol, a B vitamin that helps hair remain hydrated, sealing in moisture and giving hair its shiny look and feel.

What can I add to my diet to have healthier hair?

The foods we eat lay the groundwork for all our new hair, skin, and nail growth. For healthy hair growth, try to eat foods that are rich in protein, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. These include:

  • whole grains
  • salmon
  • oysters
  • eggs
  • beef
  • low-fat dairy
  • carrots
  • nuts
  • poultry
  • dark green vegetables
  • beans

What this list also tells us is that variety in healthy foods is the key to healthy hair. Vitamin supplements may help, but try to get the nutrients you need from foods whenever possible. You can follow Canada's Food Guide to learn more about eating a well-balanced meal.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2023. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Healthy-Hair-Essentials