Hair Product under Microscope

We use Hair Products and depend on them everyday. But most of the time, we do not know what are the 'magical formula' added that may benefit or harm your hair over long period of time and they assumed that it is thoroughly washed out from your hair and scalp after use. (we all know that it is not possible sometimes and shampoos are commonly known to build up in our hair). In addition, some of the chemicals can also harm the environment as well. Let us open our eyes to see the labels next time we buy our hair products.

Imidazolidinyl urea and Diazolidinyl Urea

These are common preservatives that is antiseptic and deodorizing. On the flip side however, these can also cause skin sensitivity such as rashes and it can get quite severe (American Academy of Dermatology).

Propylene Glycol

It is a petoleum-derived humectant, surfactant, solvent and carrier that can also cause allergenic reactions. This chemical is often added into 'natural' products. The natural alternative to the humectant is vegetable glycerin, an alcohol used as a lubricating base for cosmetics.

Parabens

Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl and Butyl Parabens act as another preservatives that inhibites the growth of microbes. However, this chemicals are also allergenic to skin. There are natural alternatives to reduce the use of parabens, such as vitamins A (retinyl), C and E (tocopherol); essential oils such as sweet orange, peppermint, rosemary or grapefruit seed oil.

Cocamide Diethanolamine (DEA), Methylethanolamine (MEA) or MonoIso-propanolamine (MIPA)

These are often referred to as natural and 'derived from coconuts', but they are actually synthetic surfactants used in soaps and shampoos. In low concentration, it is generally safe but in higher concentration, it can be allergenic and possibly contaminated with nitroasmine (highly carcinogenic). To overcome this, vitamin A and C should be included in the products to act as blocking agents.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

This is a synthetic detergent that is widely used and can cause eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss and allergenic reactions. This chemical is linked to the formation of nitrosamine. Again, the use of this chemical is approved due to the nature of shampoo use; to apply and wash off completely. It may also be described as coconut derivatives. A gentler alternative is to use alkyl polyglucoside and it is gentler to the hair and the skin; it is made up of sucrose, fatty acids and glucose and it is biodegradable.

How to count your Hair loss

Detecting hair loss is essential to avoid scarring that may lead to permanent balding on localised areas. Some times, the cause of hair loss could be due to the weight of the long hair, while others could be due to stress or even serious hair conditions (eg. lichen planus).

Hair counting method
To count your hair lost, you can collect your hair lost in your combs, hair brushes, bedroom, bathroom, toilet. You should remove all hair strands in that area before use to ensure that the hair belongs to you.

Collect the hair strands each day over 3 days. Examine the hair and separate those with the hair roots intact from those without. Those without the hair roots means that the hair loss is due to hair breakage and not true hair loss; True hair loss should include the hair roots. Divde each by three to obtain the daily rate of hair breakage or hair loss.

The daily hair loss should be within 50 to 100 hair strands but for the above method, if it exceeds 50 strands, it may indicate possible hair loss problem and you should consult the specialist for further diagnosis on your hair. As for the hair breakage, if there are more than 30 hair strands per day, you should also consult your doctor or hairdresser.

Counting on the possibility of excessive Hair Loss
Please note that this above method is only one of the ways to check for possible excessive hair loss and breakage and not a confirmatory diagnosis. But it is definitely one easy way to determine if you should spend the dollar to consult the hair doctor for advise.

Diet for Hair loss

Having a hair loss problem is often quite embarrasing and awkward especially for women. Hair loss may occur at any part of the scalp; at localised patch or the whole scalp.

Causes of hair loss
One of the possible reasons for hair loss is deficiency in protein, zinc, vitamins B and C. It can also be your body's way of signalling stress, anaemia, thyroid dysfunction, gastrointestinal (for women) or diabetes. If your hairloss is diagnosed alopecia areata, it can be due to food sensitivity. Sudden change in diet, chemotherapy or after pregnancy (for women) can also cause extreme hair loss. I say 'extreme' because it is normal that we shed 50 to 100 strands of hair daily. That sounds alot of strands but if you count the strands, this number range is Normal.

Good Diet Plan
The good diet to prevent hair loss is to eat enough protein (excluding animal meat), zinc, iron, vitamins B and C. For easy way out, you can take multi-vitamins supplements daily. If you prefer the natural sources, you can find them in whole grain cereal, wheat germ, oats, brown rice, nuts and seeds, cheese, fish and eggs.

Diet for medical condition
For Alopecia areata, keep a diet log book or at least keep mental track of your diet enough to identify the food you are sensitive to. For hair loss due to gastrointestinal, take acidophilus tablets or acidophilus-containing cultured milk drink (e.g Yakult or Vitagen) at least once a day should do the trick. For thyroid dysfunction, primerose oil is reccomended.

Food to avoid
Where possible, reduce or avoid refine carbohydrates, animal meat, high fat, high salt or high sugared food, especially the processed ones.


Related literatures:

1) Remedies for Hair loss - separating fact from fiction

2) American Academy of Dermatology - hair loss

White Hair for Hair Loss Days

You feel that you are still young and energetic but you wonder why you are one of those who has white hairs on their head. Stress at workplace, schools and even home is inevitable and it cannot be avoided. If you are working, people might guess your age to be more than your growing stage; If you are schooling, your classmates may constantly remind you of your white hair and attempt to help you remove them. In fact, everybody seems to be reminding you about your white hair problem, even your very own mirror.

White hair versus hair loss
But is it really a bad thing to keep your white hair? I may sound crazy here but seriously, keeping your white hair can be useful afterall. You see, I didn't used to have hair loss problem until I turn twenties. In my teen days, I didn't think I would have hair loss problems so I furiously pluck and cut my white hair out. In fact, I didn't even consider the hair loss possibility as I look at my parents. As I enter into workforce, I realise I was losing more hair than I could afford and I was slowly showing some signs of balding on my crown.

The solution
I had to solve the two problems: white hair vs massive hair loss. So, I figured out the best way to preserve my crown without plastic surgery or treatment is to grow back my remaining white hair and then dye my hair with complementing highlights. As an asian with a black crown, my hairdresser chose the colours that is not too dark nor too light while the highlight colour to complement the main dye and my white hair. Though it took about half a year to grow enough of white hair, I am glad it is worth the wait. I also choose shampoo that helps to make the hair dyes last longer.

Adjusting my diet and lifestyle
As I understand the side effects of dyeing hair (such as more hair loss), I took a step further. Thus, besides the physical changes I've done to my crown, I have also kept a log of what I have been eating. I realised that there were too much salt and sugar in my diet. Thus, I reviewed my options and took another step further to cut down on the soya sauce (Light, dark and sweet) and preserved fruits in exchange for rice vinegar and fresh fruits. I also attempted to exercise though I believe there is still room for improvement. In addition, I also bought in the idea of cold shower as it not only can stimulate blood circulation, but it also improve the hair quality.

So far, I'm seeing some results and I am glad I make the adjustments. Hope you benefit from this personal tip from me and save your white hair early.


My other related articles

1) Diet for hair loss