Many individuals wonder exactly how far they should go in between haircuts. While it may be easy for men to determine when they need a cut (shorter hair shows unruliness quicker), it’s not as easy for women or those with longer hair. And while men may be able to slip quickly into the barber shop, women often need to know far in advance (before they need the cut) in order to get booked with their stylist. So, how do you determine how often should you cut your hair?
If you ask your stylist, they’ll likely say ‘it depends.’ While this is true information, it doesn’t do much in the way of helping you pre-book an appointment. What ‘it depends’ on is hair goals, length of hair, hair growth rate, and health of hair. Typical time in between cuts ranges from 4-16 weeks. Below we break down some of the factors that influence time between cuts so you can determine the best frequency for you.
Hair goals – if your goal is to grow your hair, you’ll want to go longer in between cuts. This will allow your hair more time to grow in between cuts. But don’t neglect the cuts completely! Your hair needs to be in prime health to grow as it should.
Hair growth – if your hair grows quickly, you’ll need to get it cut more often. If it grows slowly, you can get away with more time in between cuts. Get to know your hair and experiment with different times in between cuts to determine the best for you.
Hair health – if you’re in the process of bringing your damaged hair back to life, you’ll need cuts more often. Its imperative for you to keep those dead and damaged ends to a minimum, as leaving them can spread them up the hair strand. Utilize conditioning treatments in between cuts to help keep your hair in prime health.
Tag Archives: hair growth
Is hair transplantation a cure for hair loss?
We get this question a lot – is hair transplantation a cure for hair loss or a treatment? The difference between treatments and cures can get a little confusing so let’s break it down.
Treatments
Treatments are medications, therapies, or surgeries that help address the issue at hand. In this case, treatments like Finasteride, minoxidil, laser therapy, and PRP therapy address hair loss in individuals. These treatments may help prevent hair loss, slow its progression, or address an immediate concern (scalp buildup, infection, promotion of healing or growth factors, etc.).
Cures
Cures solves the problem at hand. Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for hair loss at this time. There is some promising research, and scientists believe they’re close to curing baldness, but at the present time, the aforementioned treatments will have to suffice for those suffering from hair loss.
So which is hair transplantation – a treatment or a cure?
This is where it gets tricky. Despite what many believe, hair transplants don’t cure hair loss. They may solve the immediate problem at hand (filling in an area of baldness), but the root of the problem is not solved. In other words, your hair loss will progress through your native (non-transplanted) hair as you age despite getting a hair transplant. While you can rest assured the transplanted hair is here to stay (not effected by hair loss progression), if you only rely on hair transplantation to solve your hair loss woes, you’ll be playing a costly game of catch up for the rest of your life.
This is why we recommend a multi-method approach to addressing hair loss. Choosing an effective treatment to work alongside hair transplantation will extend the life of your hair and buy you more time before your next hair transplant.
If you’d like to find out more about hair transplantation and if you’re a candidate for this procedure, give us a call today.
The benefits of biotin
Biotin (also known as vitamin B7) is becoming increasingly popular in the vitamin and supplement aisle of most pharmacies and health stores.
For those who are unfamiliar, biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that is a part of the B-complex vitamin family. Its rise to fame can be contributed to its support in the beauty world.
Biotin has many benefits but its most praised is its support of healthy hair, skin, and nails. In studies, biotin has been shown to promote the growth of hair, strengthen and grow nails, and keep skin glowing. Individuals who take the vitamin report better feeling hair and skin, as well as overall improved health.
In addition to supporting healthy hair, skin, and nails, biotin also supports a healthy metabolism, improves glucose intolerance, balances blood sugar, protects brain function, promotes a healthy cardiovascular system, supports thyroid and adrenal function, plus more!
Is this do-it-all vitamin too good to be true?
While biotin is most definitely not a ‘miracle’ cure (news flash: this doesn’t exist!), there is nothing wrong with using vitamins and supplements to compensate for nutrients that may be lacking in the body. Assuring that your body gets the healthy micronutrients it needs, will allow your body to fuel its processes and help you run on maximum efficiency (like having super supple hair, strong nails, and glowing skin)!
Do regular trims really help grow hair length?
If you’ve wondered this – you’re not alone. Many individuals choose to forego their hair cut, especially those who are attached to their precious locks. We decided to look into the science behind regular hair trims and find some proof for the claim that trims equal longer, healthier hair.
What we found is that while it may sound counter-intuitive to cut hair in order for it to grow longer, regular trims do in fact give you healthier, longer hair. They do this by eliminating and avoiding split-ends, boosting hair health and growth, and giving the hair a better appearance.
Split-ends
Split-ends occur when the outer layer of the hair, the hair cuticle, becomes damaged and breaks off. As the hair grows longer, the hair strand continues to split, damaging the hair higher up the strand. Despite many hair product’s claims to cure split-ends, there is no cure or proven prevention other than regular trims. Regular trims will keep split-ends at bay, keeping hair looking and feeling great.
Hair growth
While it’s true that hair grows from the root, you won’t get the long hair you desire when your hair is continually becoming damaged and breaking off. When hair strands are strong and healthy, they are allowed to grow longer, rather than breaking off due to the split-ends. This is how those regular trims contribute to longer hair growth.
Hair health
Regular trims will without a doubt help you maintain the health of your hair. And healthy hair means a better look and feel.
Let us know how you keep your hair healthy below!
Do antioxidants grow hair?
We know antioxidants are good for our bodies. But are they good for our hair too? To understand the role antioxidants play in hair growth, we must first understand what they are and how they work.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants fight free radicals which are created as the body turns food into energy. Free radicals are dangerous due to their potential to damage human cells and in particular, genes.
There are many forms of antioxidants. The most common are found in food and are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, and magnesium.
Some scientific studies suggest that antioxidants found and consumed naturally through food may promote hair growth. This is believed to be because of antioxidants’ natural nutrient properties that are necessary for healthy body functioning. When the body is healthy and functioning properly, hair follicles are able to flourish and grow healthy, strong hair.
Below is a list of the best natural food sources of antioxidants.
Vitamin A – beef, chicken, eggs, dairy
Vitamin C – cantaloupe, orange, grapefruit, kiwi, papaya, mango, berries, watermelon, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green and red peppers, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, cabbage, turnips, spinach
Vitamin E – vegetable oil, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, leafy green veggies, fortified breakfast cereals
Beta-carotene – leafy green veggies, sweet potatoes, carrots, peaches, pumpkin
Selenium – butter, liver, shellfish, tuna, halibut, sunflower seeds, whole grains, brazil nuts, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast
Magnesium – leafy green veggies, bananas, avocados, dried apricots, almonds, cashews, peas, beans, seeds, whole grains
Incorporating more antioxidants into your diet through natural food sources will likely improve your overall health. When bodies are happy, healthy, and getting all the nutrients they need, they are able to nourish and promote secondary functions like soft skin and hair growth.
If you’d like to learn more about medical ways to grow your hair, give us a call today. Here at Modena, we specialize in alternative methods of hair growth as well as hair transplant procedures.
The best foods for preventing hair loss
Most of us desire to have thick, healthy, strong, lustrous hair. While there’s plenty of hair care products that claim to do this, and some even do a great job, you can’t beat treating from the inside out.
Nutrients and vitamins found in everyday foods can be super hair savers. These foods naturally contain ingredients often added to shampoos, serums, and over the counter treatments meant to help hair and prevent hair loss.
The foods below are nutrient-dense and have been shown to positively impact hair health and prevent hair loss over time.
Spinach – mineral deficiencies can sometimes be the cause of hair loss. Spinach is rich in iron, omega-3 acids, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. All great for hair health and overall health.
Greek yogurt – this thick, protein-rich yogurt is rich in vitamin B5. Vitamin B5 helps with blood flow throughout the body, which means more bloody supply to the scalp and hair follicles.
Salmon – salmon is full of omega-3’s which are inflammation fighters. In some cases of hair loss, inflammation can be the culprit.
Cinnamon – another anti-inflammatory which also improves circulation. Improved circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reaching your hair follicles.
Oatmeal – this breakfast-favorite is rich in iron, fiber, zinc, and omega-3’s. These nutrients are great for growing hair and improving its health.
Guava – did you know guava contains as much as 5 times more vitamin C than oranges? Vitamin C was proven in a recent double-blind study to help women with thinning hair improve thickness as well as hair growth.
Eggs – eggs are full of biotin which you may recognize from the vitamin aisle. Biotin is great for growing hair as well as strengthening fingernails and softening skin.
If you have been experiencing hair loss for some time, you may need a consultation with hair restoration surgeon to best explore your options. Give us a call today.
Does hair color determine density?
A question that comes up often is whether or not hair color plays a role in things like density, thickness, and eventually, hair loss.
While some people believe the lighter the hair color, the thinner the hair and less density coverage, this isn’t exactly the case.
Statistically, we see that those with a lighter hair color generally have thinner, finer hair. While those with darker hair typically have thicker hair strands. This has to do with the amount of melanin in the hair. The more melanin present in the hair strand the thicker it is.
One important thing to note regarding hair color and hair type, is that hair thickness or fineness and hair density or coverage is not the same thing. Hair thickness refers to the individual hair strands and how thick or thin they are. Hair density refers to the amount of hairs covering the scalp.
This is important because while we see those with lighter hair having finer hair strands, they tend to have a higher hair density.
Based on this information, there is no direct link between hair color and lack of density or eventual hair loss. While you can utilize trends regarding hair color and thickness and density to inform you about your possible hair type, there is no evidence suggesting that hair color is any indication of density or hair coverage.
More likely, your hair’s density is dependent upon your genetics. If your parents or grandparents have experienced progressive thinning, diffuse thinning, or have naturally low density, unfortunately, it’s likely you will as well, as hair traits are highly genetic.
While you can’t change your genetics, luckily, there are many options to help maintain your hair’s density and prevent it from thinning further. If you’d like to learn more about these options, give us a call for a consultation.
8 things you should never do to your hair
There are some things that should just be plain avoided if you’re wanting to have healthy, strong, beautiful hair. Certain behaviors, products, and habits you do every day may be causing your hair to become damaged, dull, frizzy, and to stop growing.
Below is a list of 8 things you should avoid to keep your hair growing, healthy, strong, and beautiful.
- Sleeping in your hair products – sleeping in your hair gel, hairspray, or mousse can irritate the scalp and cause buildup. Buildup on the scalp means clogged pores and suffocated hair follicles. Make sure to wash or rinse the hair products out of your hair before bed.
- Hair ties – have you ever noticed fly-aways or hair breakage about halfway down the hair strand? This is caused by tight hair bands. When you wear your hair in a tight hair tie it causes delicate surface strands to break, leaving you with a frizzy, damaged ‘do. Try hair clips instead. You get the same look with less damage.
- Towel-drying hair with cotton towels – tying your hair up in a towel post-wash is a very common practice. But it may actually be causing hair damage. Cotton bath towels are rough on our locks. The fibers grip and pull on the hair, contributing to frizz and breakage. Your best bet – go for a microfiber towel instead. You’ll notice your hair will dry faster and look better.
- Hot styling tools on damp hair – hot styling tools like straighteners and curling irons should never be used on damp hair. After washing our hair, the cuticle is open. This means your hair is in an extremely fragile state. Applying hot tools on it will cause damage deep into the cuticle. This means dullness, frizz, breakage, and split ends. Practice patience and wait until your hair is dry.
- Direct, unprotected sun exposure – this one is extremely important for those with dyed hair. Not only will the sun change the color of your hair, it will contribute to dryness, which means brittle, straw-like feeling hair. Consider changing your products to ones with SPF in them. And if you plan on spending time in the sun, wear a hat to protect your locks and color.
- Sleeping with hair in a ponytail, bun, or tight braid – your hair needs rest to. Give it a break and refrain from tying it up tight in a ponytail, bun, or braid. As you move around in your sleep, your hair is being stretched and pulled. This tension, also known as traction alopecia, can cause breakage and hair loss over time.
- Weaves – weaves are another tension hair loss culprit. Weaves are sewn into the tightly braided natural hair. This tension lasts for an extended period of time and wreaks havoc on the hair follicles. With continued use, you will experience hair loss known as traction alopecia. For which, there is no cure or reversal method, only hair transplantation.
- Over-styling hair – our hair needs a break sometimes too. Constantly using hot styling tools and products on our hair can quickly cause damage, breakage, and dullness. Every few days let your hair go au natural to give it a break from styling and products.
Are vitamins and supplements actually effective?
Vitamin and supplement sales are one of the most profitable areas in the health industry.
These vitamins and supplements claim to close nutritional gaps, boost energy, promote weight loss, improve sleep, improve skin, improve hair, the list goes on! But do they actually follow through when it comes to these claims?
Doctors advise that while vitamins and supplements can be beneficial when it comes to meeting minor nutrient deficiencies or gaps, they shouldn’t take the place of real, whole food in a healthy diet.
A simple blood test will tell you what nutrients you may be lacking in. Many individuals have below the recommended amount of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 in their systems. Good natural sources of these vitamins are milk, green veggies, fruit, beans, fish, eggs, meat, and poultry. If you find you’re still low in a specific nutrient, vitamins may help you reach your goal.
Experts recommend taking a vitamin for exactly the nutrient you need as opposed to a broad spectrum multivitamin. Over the years, research has shown that multivitamins are less effective than their specific vitamin counterparts. This may be because of the concentrated amounts of nutrients within them. A multivitamin has low doses of many vitamins, while a specific vitamin, like b12 for example, has mostly, if not all b12 in it. This concentrated vitamin allows your body to absorb more of the nutrient you need.
If you’re looking towards vitamins and supplements to help you reach a certain goal, such as weight loss, hair growth, or improved sleep, remember that the best approach to health and wellness is a comprehensive one. A healthy diet and good habits, such as exercise, will help you in reaching your goals. If you find that behavior changes and supplementation aren’t cutting it, you may need to try another approach. Prescription medications are much stronger and more effective that vitamins and supplements. Regardless, vitamins and supplements are a great place to start in helping you reach your goals, especially if you aren’t quire ready for the prescription route. You should meet with your doctor to discuss all of your options.
Is this DIY home-remedy the secret to long hair?
A recent DIY home-remedy to give long, silky hair is trending. The author of the method states it’s a tried and true old Indian method that’s been passed down generations.
Reviewers and followers of the method swear by its success and have pictures as proof. Many individuals have seen a 30% increase in hair growth after just 1 or 2 months of regular use.
The routine is simple: all you have to do is get your hands on an aloe vera leaf, castor oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E capsules. These products can be found at an organic supermarket or drug store.
While we haven’t tried the method ourselves, there is promising evidence of the success of vitamin E and warm oil on hair growth and overall hair health.
We give it our safe stamp of approval and encourage you to try this all-natural method for hair growth and let us know how it works!
Step 1. Cut open an aloe vera leaf. Rub the gel all over the scalp.
Step 2. Combine 1-2 tbsp of castor oil, coconut oil, and the contents of 1 vitamin E capsule in a small bowl.
Step 3. Place the small bowl of oil inside a larger bowl filled with hot water. This warms up the oil.
Step 4. After the oil mixture is warm (takes about 4-5 mins) massage it into entire scalp. This promotes circulation and encourages hair growth and absorption. Do this for 4-5 minutes.
Step 5. Let soak in hair overnight. If you have long hair, put it in a tight braid. If you have short hair you may want to wear a shower cap to bed to protect linens.
Step 6. Wake up and wash the oil out. This method should be utilized 4-5 times a week for maximum results. Results should be evident after 2 months of continued use.
Pro tip: consider taking before and after pictures to track your progress!
Is hair shedding a sign of hair loss?
Most individuals experience some degree of hair shedding throughout their lives. While every individual experiences a different amount of shed hair each day, it is common for anywhere from 1-100 hairs to be shed per day.
While some shedding is normal and can be a normal part of the hair growth cycle, it can also be an early sign of hair loss.
In order to determine if the shedding is normal or a sign of hair loss, it would need to be determined if the shedding is outside the normal range of shedding you personally experience. Since everyone is different and loses a different amount of hair each day, there isn’t a set number to determine hair loss.
Many things can cause hair to shed. Medications, stress, and underlying medical conditions, and early signs of hair loss are all common possibilities. You should meet with an experienced and certified hair restoration surgeon to determine the cause of the shedding.
Once any underlying medical conditions have been ruled out and the cause is determined, you can begin the process of protecting and maintaining your hair. Dr. Yazdan believes the best way to fight off hair loss is to be as proactive as possible.
If you are beginning to see early signs of hair loss, now is the perfect time to start managing it. There are many treatments available for hair loss maintenance such as medication, topical products, and even PRP and laser therapy.
Here at Modena, we specialize in the medical management of hair loss. During a medical management consultation we can help you determine the best course of action to stop your hair loss in its tracks and even reverse it. Give us a call today.
Hot oil massage for hair growth
Hot oil treatments are the latest at-hom
e hair care trend. Oils such as coconut, olive, or jojoba are warmed and then massaged into the scalp.
According to regular users of hot oil scalp treatments, the oil nourishes hair, moisturizes hair, relieves scalp problems, and stimulates hair growth.
But how does it work?
Oils provide much needed nutrients to the hair. When hair is nourished, it is healthier and more likely to grow.
In addition, the motion of massaging the oil into the scalp increases blood flow and circulation to the scalp and follicles. This also increases the rate of growth.
The benefits of hot oil scalp massages range from treating dandruff to fungus. Make sure to research which oils target which hair ailments, so you can make the most effective concoction for you.
If you suffer from dry, brittle hair and want to try an all-natural remedy to bring moisture and health back to your hair – give hot oil scalp massages a try!
How to:
- Wash your hair – hair should be clean and product-free prior to the application of the warmed oil.
- Heat oil using the water bath method – put oil in a glass measuring cup. Place the cup in a saucepan filled with water. Bring the water to a boil.
- Apply the oil to damp hair via fingertips dipped in the warm oil. Work your way from the roots to the ends of the hair. Make sure to massage the oil into the hair. This helps stimulate blood flow to the follicles.
- Wrap your hair with a warm towel and let the oil soak in.
- After 20-30 minutes, rewash hair to remove the excess oil.
- Repeat once a week to once a month depending on the degree of help your hair needs.
Tips:
A little goes a long way. Only a couple tablespoons of oil are needed.
Try mixing oils to see a wider range of benefits.
Vitamin E for hair growth
Thanks to a recent study conducted by Tropical Life Sciences Research, we now have a new home remedy for minor hair loss.
According to the study, individuals in a double-blind study were given either vitamin E or a placebo to determine if vitamin E fights hair loss. The results showed that the individuals that were given vitamin E had a 35% increase in hair growth.
How does it work?
Vitamin E is an antioxidant. That means it has healing properties. Vitamin E can help prevent tissue damage as well as hair follicle damage. This in turn promotes healthy hair growth.
When vitamin E is applied to the scalp, it gets to work reducing inflammation and repairing tissue damage deep in the follicles.
How do you use it?
Vitamin E is sold in capsule form at most drug stores. These capsules are soft and can be punctured with a pin to release the gel from the inside.
This gel is safe to use as a topical skin or scalp treatment. It can be combined with olive, coconut, grapeseed, sesame, or carrot oil. Once the gel and oil are combined, apply the oil mixture onto clean hair. Massage into the scalp to promote blood circulation for added benefits.
To see desired results, you should apply vitamin E to your hair at least 2-3 times a week. You can also take the vitamin in its original capsule form to promote healthy skin and hair from the inside.
If you have noticed very minor hair loss, thinning, or just want to improve the texture and health of your hair, using vitamin E may help. Be sure to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing the change in your hair.
If you have more aggressive hair loss, it is unlikely using vitamin E will show any real benefit. Once hair loss begins, it almost always continues to progress and worsen as time goes on. Therefore, if you wish to save your hair, it’s very important you begin preventative measures now.
Here at Modena, we specialize in the medical management of hair loss. Give us a call for a consultation today and discover your options.
Medical Management of Hair Loss
What is the medical management of hair loss?
Medical management of hair loss refers to utilizing various methods and tools to maintain your current hair and even potentially re-growing hair for those who are experiencing recent mild hair loss.
While most individuals who are experiencing hair loss are concerned mainly with the areas of hair loss, there’s one very important reason you should be just as concerned with maintaining the areas you still have hair: PREVENTION.
If you’re not actively working to prevent future hair loss, your hair loss will continue and worsen as you age. Dr. Yazdan believes proactively fighting hair loss is the only way to stall the hair loss process and protect the hairs you have now. The best way to do that: medical management.
Medical management methods and tools range from more aggressive methods like PRP therapy and laser therapy, to more prolonged and maintenance-minded methods like prescription medications such as finasteride, topical products such as minoxidil, and shampoos such as nizoral.
The great thing about these medical management tools is that many can be used in conjunction with each other and even with hair transplant surgery. In fact, utilizing multiple methods or adding them to your surgery can increase the efficacy of each method and your overall results tremendously.
But before you can get started, you should first see if you’re a candidate for medical management. While most individuals experiencing hair loss can benefit from medically managing their hair, it won’t help everyone reach their specific goals.
You should meet with an experienced and certified hair restoration surgeon to determine if you are a candidate for medical management and what methods specifically would help you reach your goals.
Here at Modena, in addition to specializing in FUE and FUT/Strip methods of hair transplant surgery, we also specialize in various methods of medically managing hair loss.
If you’d like to learn more, give us a call today.
Hair growth in scar tissue
Many people who have had injuries on their scalp or face find that there is a lack of hair growth where the scar resides. But, why is that?
The scalp is similar to the skin in that it is made up of layers of dermis. When the tissue is damaged as a result of a trauma, the underlying hair follicles that reside in the tissue endure damage as well. This is why individuals who have scars on their scalp often complain of a lack of hair growth in that area.
Over time, as the tissue heals and repairs itself, we can sometimes see new hair growth in the scarred area in some patients. But, this process can takes years, if it happens at all. Unfortunately, what usually happens is the scarred area is left with no hair, which can highly affect the overall appearance of our hair and beard.
This can be particularly upsetting to individuals with large and apparent scars. These scars can be a result of a fall, a poorly done weave, or even an FUT strip hair transplant procedure. The scar is made more obvious due to the absence of hair in that area.
The important thing to keep in mind is that every body heals differently. Some individuals may be prone to deep scar tissue and keloids, while others rarely scar. Additionally, various factors can play a role in the healing process such as the depth and severity of the scar tissue.
Thankfully, there are options for those who are suffering from scar tissue on the scalp or beard. A hair transplant procedure known as scar revision surgery involves transplanting hair follicles into the scarred area. The newly transplanted follicles grow in the scar tissue, coming in naturally and covering the visibility of the scar.
Here at Modena, we’ve seen great results with scar repair surgery. If you’d like to learn more about this procedure, give us a call.
How to keep your hair healthy in and out of the shower
Did you know hair is weaker when its wet? It’s true. Water weakens the keratin (hair’s protein) causing the hair to be more fragile and prone to breakage.
Unfortunately, this is often when we’re roughest with our hair. Washing, scrubbing, towel drying, blow drying, hot tools, and the application of products all take their toll on our hair.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to protect your hair’s health in and out of the shower.
Washing – make sure you’re using a sulfate-free shampoo. Many of the cheaper shampoos contain sulfates which wreak havoc on our hair. Additionally, you should be gently massaging your scalp during each wash. This not only cleans hair effectively but stimulates blood flow to the follicles as well. Lastly, use luke-warm water when washing. Hot water damages the cuticle while cold damages the scalp. Luke-warm water is your best bet for healthy strands and follicles.
Conditioning – don’t skip it! Conditioner plays an important role in moisturizing your locks. If your hair isn’t moisturized your hair may overproduce oil causing buildup. No one wants that, so make sure to condition your hair after every wash.
Drying – vigorously rubbing our hair damages the fragile strands. Try gently patting dry instead. This will soak up any excess water. If blow-drying is a must that can’t be avoided, switch the heat setting to a warm or cool level. This will help to take the edge out of the harsh heat on your freshly washed hair.
Styling – use hot tools in moderation. Hot tools cause breakage. If you need to style your hair with hot tools, try applying a heat protecting serum first. Additionally, use a wide-tooth comb instead of fine brushes. Regarding styling and care products, always opt for organic. These products sit on our hair and scalp all day. Harsh chemicals cause build up and irritate the scalp.
Does consuming more protein prevent hair loss?
Our hair is affected by many factors – genetics, age, environment, and medical history. But did you know your diet plays a role as well? If your diet is lacking key nutrients, your hair will show it.
When your diet lacks necessary components, your body begins prioritizing and rationing. Fortunately (or unfortunately) your hair is not as important as proper organ function and efficient large muscle group movement. When individuals engage in unhealthy or unbalanced diets, the body can neglect the hair altogether in favor of keeping us alive. This can cause hair loss over time.
We often see hair damage and hair loss in diets lacking substantial protein. Protein is a necessary macro our body needs to function and fuel itself properly. Further, protein is an essential component of our hair. Each hair strand is composed of a protein known as keratin which is crucial to our hair’s health. When our hair lacks keratin, it becomes brittle, weak, and thin. Overtime, substantial hair loss can develop.
Dr. Yazdan believes the best way to treat hair loss is to prevent it. A healthy balanced diet will not only make you feel and look better, but it’ll promote beautiful, healthy, strong hair and prevent hair loss. The USDA recommends at minimum 46 grams of protein per day. Nutrition and fitness experts typically suggest double or triple that amount. If you need help getting more protein in your diet, consider adding the following protein-packed foods to your diet: chicken, turkey, beef, seafood, eggs, nuts.
If you are experiencing hair loss and think your diet may be playing a role, give us a call for a consultation. Here at Modena, we offer diagnostic testing to address the root of your hair’s problems.
Do hair growth vitamins really work?
We’ve all seen them on the shelves at our local store as well as advertisements on television. But do hair growth vitamins really help us achieve healthy, longer, thicker hair?
To answer this question we must first educate ourselves on what exactly is in these vitamins. Though exact ingredients and profiles vary brand to brand, most hair growth vitamins contain some combination of vitamin c, vitamin a, vitamin b3, fatty acids, collagen, folic acid, and biotin.
These nutrients are essential to hair growth in humans. According to manufacturers’ claims, these vitamins can stimulate hair growth, prevent hair loss, promote healthy texture, fight dryness and damage, decrease scalp flaking, and prevent breakage.
Sounds great but do they actually work? While there is promising research that these nutrients are beneficial to our hair as well our skin and nails, some of the doses needed to see results are much higher than any found in an over the counter capsule. That being said – they don’t hurt. If there is a vitamin deficiency at the root of your hair problems, increasing your vitamin intake can be a good place to start.
Just don’t be unrealistic about the results. While hair growth vitamins can help some people, they aren’t a miracle cure for hair loss and won’t help in more severe clinical hair loss cases. If you fall into the latter category, we suggest meeting with a qualified hair transplant surgeon who specializes in medical management to figure out where to begin.
