How To Ensure Healthy Hair

Written by Philip Kingsley Trichologist, Stephen Pullan.

There are two basic considerations to be made when trying to ensure a healthy head of hair. The first is to be aware that as hair is forming it is alive. Each follicle, the pocket within the scalp where the hair is growing from, has its own network of nerves , blood and muscles. The capillaries in the follicle are delivering nutrients to the live cells as they become the keratinized protein that frown outward from the scalp. The nutrients that the hair needs come from what an individual consumes in their diet, therefore a proper diet, and supplementation is the most important.

Because the cells in the scalp are so prolific, they are sensitive to any changes that are going on in the body. General body health and keeping the body functioning in tip-top shape will benefit the hair, and any internal problems or imbalances may create a hair that is less healthy than it could be. Therefore medical issues must be addressed.

Once the hair is formed and it grows away from the scalp, external factors must be taken into account to maintain healthy hair. These factors include being aware that since every individuals hair and scalp are unique, it is important that appropriate products be used that specifically targets ones needs. A shampoo, conditioner, and scalp tonic must be formulated for each individual with the intent to be used daily. A weekly intensive conditioning treatment is typically very beneficial. Care should be taken in one’s drying and styling of the hair. Though hair fiber is resilient and strong, constant abuse, even if moderate, will cumulatively take a toll as a hair ages and grows longer. Therefore avoid being rough when towel drying, keep a blow dryer at lower setting both with velocity and heat, and use the proper aids for styling, brushing and combing. As the ends of the hair are the oldest and most susceptible to dryness and breakage, trimming the hair on a regular basis, though seemingly will shorten the hair length, will actually ensure that the hair can grow longer because it won’t split or fray. Most hair grows on an average of one half inch per month so a trim of a quarter inch every other month will allow hair to grow longer and healthier.