What Does Your Hair Say about Your Health?
Your hair can tell you some key things about your health if you know what to look for. While everyone’s hair is different in texture, color, thickness, and so forth, there are still some things you can learn from the state of your hair.
Even though your hair is technically “dead,” it didn’t start out that way. So just what does your hair say about your health?
1. Know Your Own Hair
Because everyone’s hair is different, it’s good to know your own hair. When you get your hair cut, talk to your hairdresser about your hair’s texture and thickness, and what he or she thinks about your hair. You’ll know if there have been changes, and whether or not those changes are normal for your age and lifestyle. (For example, it’s normal for a woman to lose a lot of hair a few months after giving birth, and it’s normal for everyone’s hair to get a bit thinner as they age.) So knowing what’s normal for your head is important if you’re going to discern changes.
2. Shedding
Another tip for knowing normal: it’s considered normal to shed up to 100 hairs a day. According to experts, your hair follicles are about 90% active and 10% “resting” at any given time. The hair is constantly replacing itself, in other words. Brushing your hair regularly can help you keep a handle on how much you’re shedding and whether or not there is an unusual increase in hair loss.
3. Vitamin Deficiencies
Some health experts point out the role of iron in hair strength and thickness, and sometimes suggest iron supplements or even infusions for people with severe hair loss. Often, the increase in iron helps stop hair loss and promote new growth.
It’s important to get enough vitamin B12, too, as that helps you absorb iron.
4. Too Many Vitamins
Did you know that excessive vitamin A may cause hair loss? While vitamin A is essential for hair health, the irony is that too much of it can promote hair loss. This is why some vitamin A-based acne treatments list hair loss as a possible side effect.
Sources say that you should take in no more than 10,000 IUs of vitamin A daily. But the need for this vitamin varies from individual to individual, so it’s a good idea to consult a health professional about your vitamin A needs if your hair seems to be “telling” you something!
5. Thyroid Conditions
Thinning hair may indicate a thyroid problem, usually too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). Sometimes, with hypothyroidism, the hair doesn’t fall out so much as it becomes thin and limp. This is definitely time to seek a doctor who can give you a thyroid test to show whether or not you’re deficient in this hormone.
6. Lack of Biotin
Brittle hair may indicate that you need more biotin. Foods like eggs, dairy products, and liver contain biotin, which has come to the fore lately as a hair-health promoting nutrient.
The bottom line is, your hair is part of your body, and a healthy body tends to have healthy hair! Even if your hair is thin or fine naturally, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on it to see if any changes in hair loss or texture are signaling a health issue.