“Hair is a window to your health,” says Anabel Kingsley, a consultant trichologist at the Philip Kingsley Clinic. As a non-essential tissue – meaning hair doesn’t serve a function in keeping us alive – “our strands are often the first part of us our body neglects when anything is amiss internally,” she explains.
“No matter what products you use, if you aren’t eating a healthy balanced diet, or keeping check on your general health and stress levels, your hair’s health isn’t going to be as good as it could be.” With this is mind, if you’re experiencing hair-fall and thinning, or a flaky, itchy scalp, know that your body could be trying to tell you something.
Here, the expert explains the reasons behind the common problems she sees, so you can address your hair health holistically.
DAVID SLIJPER FOR HARPER’S BAZAAR
Problem: Excessive daily hair shedding (aka telogen effluvium)
This is a reactive hair loss condition caused by an internal disruption, Kingsley explains. Typically it occurs six to 12 weeks after the event that caused it. “It can be acute (short-lived) or chronic (long-standing and recurring). Acute TE is usually caused by a one-off blip, like the flu, food poisoning or a high fever, and doesn’t require any treatment. However, hair fall that continues or recurs should be thoroughly investigated,” she advises. The most common causes for chronic TE are:
- Iron and ferritin (stored iron) deficiency. This is particularly common in menstruating women, post-surgery and in the postpartum period
- Vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency
- Hypo or hyperthyroidism (aka and underactive of overactive thyroid gland)
- High stress levels impacting how your body absorbs nutrients
- Crash dieting and energy deficits (ie not eating enough calories)
- High mercury levels (from eating too much high-mercury fish such as tuna, swordfish and Spanish mackerel)
Problem: Hair thinning (aka androgenic alopecia)
This type of hair loss is slow and progressive. “It is down to genes – specifically having a genetic predisposition that causes hair follicles on your scalp to be sensitive to normal levels of androgens (male hormones),” Kingsley reveals. She explains that when you have this sensitivity, hair follicles on your scalp gradually miniaturise, and produce finer and shorter strands. “While reduced hair volume usually isn’t the sign of a health condition, conditions that impact your hormone levels can make androgenic alopecia worse.” Here are some examples:
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). “However, this often is accompanied by other symptoms, such as weight gain, acne, facial hair and irregular periods,” she notes
- Being on an androgenic oral contraceptive, or androgenic HRT
- High stress levels, “which can inadvertently raise androgen levels”
Other health conditions that often cause hair loss include Lupus and Cushing’s Syndrome, Kingsley adds.
Problem: Brittle hair
The growth of weak, brittle hair can be caused by not eating enough protein, the trichologist confirms. “To avoid this, I suggest adding at least a palm-sized portion of protein to your breakfast and lunch.” Good examples are eggs, oily fish, shellfish, lean meat, low-fat cheese, quinoa, tofu and nuts.
She adds that “zinc deficiency and hyperthyroidism can also cause the growth of brittle hair.” Foods high in zinc include oysters, chickpeas, lean sirloin steak, hemp seeds and cashew nuts.
Problem: Flaky, itchy scalp
“While usually not the sole cause of scalp irritation, a lack of omega-3 in your diet can exacerbate scalp conditions,” she reveals. Omega-3 can be found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, walnuts, eggs, sprouts and flaxseeds.
“Stress can also cause an itchy scalp,” Kingsley adds. Extreme changes in temperature can also be a factor.
