Author: Jenna White | San Francisco Hairstylist
December 12th, 2021
December 12th, 2021
Dear readers,
This guide is meant to enlighten you about what is really going on with your hair. Move the hair product marketing aside and step into the mind of a hair professional by learning the science behind your strands, which are fluid and, at times, inconsistent. They can be changed with heat, weather, and chemicals, all agents that can be manipulated to achieve your desired look. As a third-generation hair professional, I'm excited to share this knowledge to give you more control over your hair challenges.
Always,
Jenna
This guide is meant to enlighten you about what is really going on with your hair. Move the hair product marketing aside and step into the mind of a hair professional by learning the science behind your strands, which are fluid and, at times, inconsistent. They can be changed with heat, weather, and chemicals, all agents that can be manipulated to achieve your desired look. As a third-generation hair professional, I'm excited to share this knowledge to give you more control over your hair challenges.
Always,
Jenna
To lay a foundation for the sections below, I want to start with the science behind your hair's structure. This can be a big step in understanding the cause of your hair challenge. Your strands are mostly made up of a keratin protein, which consists of the COHNS elements (Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulfur). These elements create the following bonds in your hair:
Disulfide bonds can cause permanent change in the hair structure, allowing us to perform services like perms and color. They are also responsible for the hair’s strength. Hydrogen bonds cause temporary change and adjust the hair's shape, for example, during washing and drying. We can use this knowledge to our advantage when styling - weather induced frizz can be reset simply by rinsing with water and styling in a new way. Check out this guide titled "Hair Frizz Science: Water and Hydrogen Bonds" to learn more. The big takeaway I want you to have before jumping into the sections below is this: the further we push the limits of our hair the more challenges we may face.
- hydrogen bonds
- salt bonds
- disulfide bonds
Disulfide bonds can cause permanent change in the hair structure, allowing us to perform services like perms and color. They are also responsible for the hair’s strength. Hydrogen bonds cause temporary change and adjust the hair's shape, for example, during washing and drying. We can use this knowledge to our advantage when styling - weather induced frizz can be reset simply by rinsing with water and styling in a new way. Check out this guide titled "Hair Frizz Science: Water and Hydrogen Bonds" to learn more. The big takeaway I want you to have before jumping into the sections below is this: the further we push the limits of our hair the more challenges we may face.
DESCRIPTION: Considering that hair loss is a medical condition, you should always consult your doctor for guidance on treatment options, and to understand if topical hair treatments/products will help. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it's normal to lose between 50 to 100 hairs per day. However, if you feel like you're noticing more than this, it may be a good idea to check in with your doctor. Check out this guide by the Mayo Clinic to help gauge if talking with your doctor makes sense. You can learn more about the growth (Anagen), transition (Catagen) and resting (Telogen) phases of hair here.
CAUSES:
THE FIXES: These fixes could be followed not only by those experiencing hair loss, but also by anyone who wants to maintain healthy hair.
Exercise
Similar to scalp massages, exercise can promote a healthy hair cycle by increasing blood flow. It also increases the amount of oxygen your body produces, which leads to better brain performance (1), plus reduced levels of adrenaline and cortisol, which are stress-inducing hormones (2). I love use the resources below for exercise inspiration.
Nutrition
Good nutrition is a key way to keep your hair out of the resting phase. Look for advice from your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. For the latter, I recommend checking out Shauna Harrison's Instagram and blog posts (link to one of my favorite posts she published here). The CDC has also published some guidelines for Healthy Eating Tips on their website. Keep in mind that crash diets can lead to hair loss because they create stress on the body. Extreme examples of this are caused by eating disorders like bulimia (3) and anorexia (4). Personally, some of my favorite nutrient rich foods to keep on hand are goji berries (or any berry), nuts, seeds, sweet peppers, fresh herbs, spices, avocados, sweet potatoes, spinach, and lentils.
Meditation
Studies have linked meditation to significant health benefits, which may include better sleep, control of depression and anxiety, management of mental health, and brain functionality (5). Beginners can learn more from the resources below.
CAUSES:
- Stress
- Hormones
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Genetics
- Autoimmune responses
- Certain medical treatments/therapies
THE FIXES: These fixes could be followed not only by those experiencing hair loss, but also by anyone who wants to maintain healthy hair.
Exercise
Similar to scalp massages, exercise can promote a healthy hair cycle by increasing blood flow. It also increases the amount of oxygen your body produces, which leads to better brain performance (1), plus reduced levels of adrenaline and cortisol, which are stress-inducing hormones (2). I love use the resources below for exercise inspiration.
- YouTube with Sydney Cummings, tough daily workouts every day at 5pm EST
- The Ultimate Health Podcast, published weekly with information on health and working out
- The Model Health Show, focused on health, working out and sleep
- Optimal Daily Living, shorter podcasts on health and wellness
- YouTube with Tom Bilyeu, interviews with top health professionals
- Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, a book that teaches how adjustments to the way we inhale and exhale can jump-start athletic performance
Nutrition
Good nutrition is a key way to keep your hair out of the resting phase. Look for advice from your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. For the latter, I recommend checking out Shauna Harrison's Instagram and blog posts (link to one of my favorite posts she published here). The CDC has also published some guidelines for Healthy Eating Tips on their website. Keep in mind that crash diets can lead to hair loss because they create stress on the body. Extreme examples of this are caused by eating disorders like bulimia (3) and anorexia (4). Personally, some of my favorite nutrient rich foods to keep on hand are goji berries (or any berry), nuts, seeds, sweet peppers, fresh herbs, spices, avocados, sweet potatoes, spinach, and lentils.
Meditation
Studies have linked meditation to significant health benefits, which may include better sleep, control of depression and anxiety, management of mental health, and brain functionality (5). Beginners can learn more from the resources below.
- Mediation for Beginners: 20 Practical Tips for Understanding the Mind, zenhabits.net
- How to Meditate, The New York Times
- Easy Guided Meditation for Beginners - 15 min Meditation for Clarity & Relaxation, YouTube Yoga with Kassandra
Below are also a few folks I look to for inspiration when dealing with a high-stress environment.
- Dan Harris's podcast Ten Percent Happier, if you're more of a reader check out some of his books
- The Work of Byron Katie, a simple a process for remaining alert to and questioning stressful thoughts
- Sam Harris's Making Sense podcast and his Waking Up app
Sources
- Why Do I Think Better after I Exercise?, scientificamerican.com
- Exercising to Relax, Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School
- Bulimia Nervosa and Hair Loss, hairscientists.org
- Anorexia and Hair Loss, hairscientists.org
- Meditation and Mental Health, Psychology Today
