The Obsession with Lustrous Hairs
Who doesn’t like long, thick, and shiny healthy hair to flaunt wherever they go, as commonly seen in those advertisements for hair care products? Such hair has always been associated with beauty and vitality in Indian culture. Sadly, not everybody is blessed with lustrous hair. Many people struggle with stunted hair growth. It’s essential to understand that there are several scientific reasons that govern the issues of stunted hair growth or thinning hair. The intent of this guide is to uncover 7 common hair growth mistakes that Indians make and how one can fix them to get lustrous and shiny hair.
Causes of Hair Thinning and Fall
There could be several reasons why hair growth is not as optimal as it should be for certain individuals. Some of the reasons are listed below:
- Excessively poor scalp health due to dandruff or buildup of sebum and sweat, which interrupts the hair growth cycle
- Hormonal imbalances due to conditions such as PCOS or thyroid disorders
- Genetic mutations, which run in the family, may also affect hair growth
- Excessive stress levels and poor sleep patterns can shift hair into the shedding phase
- Improper hair care practices such as harsh product usage, over-oiling, and tight hairstyles can damage the scalp and hair strands
- Deficiency of nutrients such as iron, vitamin D, zinc, protein, and biotin, which are essential for healthy hair
7 Common Mistakes Indians Make And How to Rectify Them for Hair Growth
1. Improper Cleaning and Over-Oiling
The age-old tradition of oiling has been passed down from grandmothers for generations. However, excessive oiling without proper cleansing of the scalp can cause blockage in the sebaceous glands, leading to the growth of fungi such as Malassezia. Such fungal growth causes dandruff, inflammation of the hair follicles, and reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the scalp, leading to irregular growth of the hair and eventually stunted hair growth.
The best way to fix this is to use a double cleanser with a sulphate-free shampoo to remove the oil completely from the scalp. It is also essential to limit oiling to 1 to 2 times a week. The kind of oil also impacts scalp health. Usually, lightweight oils such as coconut oil or almond oil must be preferred instead of excessively thick oils.
2. Scalp is the House of Hair
Scalp health is one of the major reasons why hair growth can be stunted in individuals. An excessively oily or excessively dry scalp can suffocate the hair follicles, leading to inflammation and thinning of the hair. This occurs because the scalp is a rich microbiome where imbalances in nutrients can cause oxidative stress and micro-inflammation in the hair follicles, leading to conditions such as dandruff and psoriasis. A healthy scalp helps in the proliferation of keratinocytes that are essential for the growth of strong strands of hair.
To fix this problem, exfoliating the scalp using scalp scrubs can help. If an individual is struggling with dandruff, tea tree oil or neem-based shampoo can be used to maintain good hygiene and hydration in the scalp.
3. Stress is Responsible for That Baldness
A lot of emphasis is given to managing stress and anxiety levels. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which disturbs the hair growth cycle, leading to abnormalities in the scalp. Such hormonal imbalances also trigger the production of excessive androgens, leading to female pattern hair loss, commonly observed in females struggling with thyroid dysfunction or PCOS.
To fix this, managing stress levels using techniques such as yoga, pranayama, meditation, journaling, and therapy is required. It is also important to get hormones such as TSH, insulin, and PCOS profiles in females checked. Along with this, the quality and quantity of sleep are crucial in managing the health of the scalp.
4. Shampoos Can Be Harmful
Very frequent use of shampoos that contain sulphates, alcohol, or parabens can wash away the natural oils of the scalp, leading to stunted hair growth. It’s essential to understand that sulphates strip away the natural lipid barrier of the hair, leading to dryness, damage to the cuticle, and breakage of hair. Along with this, frequent styling of hair using heat products causes thermal degradation of keratin, a protein that makes up a major part of the hair.
To fix this, it is essential to switch to sulphate-free shampoos and limit heat styling to once a week. Along with that, heat-protectant spray must be applied before using hot tools directly on the hair. Individuals can also replace drying hair with equipment by using natural drying techniques such as microfiber towels or air drying.
5. Excessive Washing of Hair
Frequent washing of hair strips away the natural oils from the scalp, which are essential to protect the hair against environmental damage. On the other hand, under-washing, especially due to the humid Indian climate, causes a buildup of sebum and sweat, leading to infections caused by bacterial or fungal growth.
The best way is to wash the hair 2 to 3 times a week depending on the condition of the scalp. If an individual sweats a lot or lives in a humid area, one can wash the hair regularly with a very mild shampoo.
6. Diet Can Be a Game-Changer
The majority of people struggle with problems of the scalp and bad hair due to their diet. Hair is a non-essential tissue that derives its nutrients from the body. So if an individual is deficient in iron, zinc, or biotin, keratin structures along with the formation of hair follicles get affected.
That is why a diet rich in protein foods such as paneer, tofu, pulses, eggs, along with a plethora of green leafy vegetables and nuts, is crucial. It is also essential to get vitamin D and iron levels tested regularly. If a person is deficient in any of these vitamins or minerals, multivitamin supplements are also prescribed by doctors.
7. Tight Hairstyles
The constant pulling of hair in tight hairstyles such as buns or ponytails causes mechanical loss of hair due to tension at the papilla cells at the base of the follicles. Repeated trauma to such cells causes reversible follicular miniaturisation, characterised by thinning and breaking of hair at the root.
To fix this, it is advised to avoid tight styles that pull at the scalp. Every now and then, individuals should let their hair down a few times a day to relieve the tension that builds up in the scalp. Along with this, avoid repetitive tension in the same areas of the scalp to prevent thinning and breaking of hair at the root.
Final Thoughts on Hair Care
It is crucial to understand that there could be several reasons why hair growth is not at its optimum level. Many times, getting scalp health evaluated by dermatologists or endocrinologists can help in identifying the underlying causes and conditions responsible for poor hair growth. Hair growth is a process that requires lifestyle modifications along with the use of home remedies to strengthen the hair follicles and prevent premature greying. Understanding what works for your scalp is the best way to start your hair care ritual.
