Hair damage

1 mins to read

Heat, chemicals and a poor diet may all cause hair damage and hair loss. It may also be a symptom of some health problems, or an adverse effect of some medicines.

Nails hair and skin

Dry, lifeless hair
Split ends
Hair breaks easily
Hair may fall out in larger than normal quantities , may generally become thinner, may fall out in patches, or may fall out altogether
Hair may lose colour and turn white or grey, either in a generalised fashion , or in patches

Excessive or inappropriate use of dyes, bleaches, or perming solution.
A number of infectious conditions of the hair and scalp can also damage the hair. For example, ringworm of the scalp may cause the hair to break close to the scalp in the affected area.
A number of inherited conditions can cause hair loss or make the hair difficult to manage, susceptible to breaking, or unpigmented (lacking in colour).
Hereditary factors are also responsible for many cases of baldness (especially male pattern baldness, also known as alopecia androgenetica) and premature greying of the hair.
Alopecia areata is a form of baldness in which hair falls out in round patches. It is caused by an autoimmune disorder.
Chemotherapy, oral contraceptive pills, corticosteroids and some other medical treatments can damage the hair or cause it to fall out.
Poliosis is the term used to describe a patch of white hair that is surrounded by hair of normal colour. In some cases poliosis is hereditary, but in other circumstances it is caused by an immune system dysfunction that causes the pigment in the hair to be destroyed. Poliosis may indicate an underlying condition, such as vitiligo, which also causes the destruction of skin pigment.
Poor nutritional status tends to lead to poor hair health, and may cause hair loss in some cases.

Treat your hair gently, and avoid using hair dryers and straighteners, harsh chemicals, and heated rollers. It may also be helpful to avoid swimming in chlorinated pools.
Eat a healthy well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and regular serves of protein and carbohydrates. Regular intake of the healthy oils that supply the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (for example nuts, seeds, and fish) are also important.
Rosemary is traditionally regarded as a hair and scalp tonic that stimulates hair growth.
Wear a hat to protect your hair from sun damage.
If your hair has been damaged by chemical exposure or as a side effect of medication use, it may be reassuring to remember that new hair growth will be healthy, although you’ll need to be patient. Hair grows around half a centimetre per month, so it will take some time for all the damaged hair to be replaced.

If your hair damage is accompanied by symptoms of ill health, or if you suspect it may be due to your prescribed medicines, talk to your healthcare professional.
If you suspect ringworm has infected the scalp, see your doctor.