Many women find that their hair gets drier and thinner as they get into their 40s and 50s.This is generally due to declining hormones levels, and also, in winter our skin and hair can become drier.
A naturopath will work with you to find out and address the underlying factors that may be contributing such as: thyroid function (including hashimotos and other autoimmune diseases, anaemia (iron is very important for hair growth, so heavy periods need to be addressed), other minerals (such as zinc), as well as some other nutrients (biotin, essential fatty acids) and hormonal imbalances (particularly testosterone.)
It is vital to make sure that your body is getting all the required nutrients needed for healthy hair.
- Include lots of dark green leafy vegetables in your daily diet. Such as spinach, silver beet, broccoli, mesculin, rocket and lettuce. These vegetables are an excellent source of Vitamins A and C, which are both involved in the formation of sebum, a natural hair conditioner which moisturises your skin and scalp.
It is also vital to have good digestion to ensure that you are getting the most out of your food. (This means ensuring you don't have signs of malabsorption such as
diarrhoea, colitis, or low stomach acid, or mineral deficiencies which may show up as spots on your nails, or gut flora imbalances which may show up as candida, or sibo)
- you also need to have adequate protein and healthy fats in your diet.
- ongoing stress causes poor digestion as the blood is redirected away from the digestive system when we are in flight and fight
Some practical tips to help your hair
- don't wear your hair up in tight pins or hair ties as this can damage your hair
- nourish your hair by massaging coconut oil onto your head, leaving it on overnight then washing it out gently the next morning. (Don't over-wash it when you wash it out as you will strip those nutrients straight out again)
- massage your scalp each night for 5 minutes. This can help incrase hair thickness by stretching the cells of hair follicles which in turn can cause the hair follicles to produce thicker hair as it dilates the blood vessels beneath the skin
- make a herbal wash with fresh rosemary to encourage hair growth. (Add some sprigs of rosemary into a jug and pour over your hair after washing and conditioning it)
- take extra care with you hair by choosing quaility products. I use organic and chemical free hair products and hair dye
- Check your hair products for sulphates as they can strip the hair of its natural oils.
- Avoid conditioners that contains silicon as it may prevent moisture from reaching the hair.
If you would like to work with me to address why your hair is thinning and your skin is drying book in for a 15 minute discovery call to see how we can work together.
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