Little White Flakes

You see the light yellow or white flakes on your shoulders or in your hair. Those are the telltale signs of dandruff. Dandruff flakes are dead skin cells that fall off your scalp. When you have dandruff, your scalp may look scaly or red and feel itchy or raw. Scratching or rubbing your head loosens the flakes. You may notice them more when you wear dark clothes.

The hair on your head is an integral part of your identity. Shave it all off and no one is going to recognize you, and further than that, they likely will begin to develop an entirely separate opinion of the new hairless you.

Our hair is important, but most guys don’t take care of it they way they should. There are so many things that we can do daily for our hair to improve its overall health and longevity. No, I’m not talking about being sure you brush your hair every night before bed or to use both shampoo and conditioner each time you shower (though those are good ideas too). I’m talking about simple tricks and tweaks to your already minimal hair care routine that will help your hair growing strong. Women love a guy with a thick head of hair, whether its short or long.

You can’t undo the damage you do to your hair, so now’s the time to start trying some of these tweaks and tips. Your hair will thank you later.

1. Dry With Care
I am just as guilty as you are when it comes to drying my hair with haste. It’s almost instinct to grab the towel and rub your head dry. However, this is one of the most damaging things you can do to your hair. When you’re finished, you may notice that your hair looks sort of frizzy. Those hairs have been pulled past their stretching point by the fibers in the towel. Those same hairs are the ones being stubborn when you have to style your hair. Instead of vigorously towel drying, just pat dry. Even better, let it dry completely on its own. This is a great practice to start after a fresh haircut when all your frizzy split ends are gone already.

2. Don’t Wash Your Hair Everyday
Sometimes, less is more. Shampooing everyday for healthy hair is a myth. Shampoo cleans your hair, but don’t confuse cleanliness with health. You can over wash your hair and wash out some of the essential oils that your scalp is naturally producing for your locks. These oils are necessary for strong, healthy hair.

A good general rule of thumb is to only use shampoo in your hair after a workout or a long day of manual labor when you know it’s got either sweat or dirt in it. If you work at a desk and don’t see the gym often, then just remember to only wash your hair with shampoo approximately every two days.

3. Not Too Hot
“Warm water and soap” was the mantra we all grew up hearing for sanitary hand washing. Your hair should get the same temperature. Too often we wash our hair under scalding hot water. I understand how inviting a real hot shower feels, particularly in the winter months, but next time, dial it back to warm for your hair’s sake. Too much hot water can strip your hair of the same oils you could be rinsing out by over washing. Follow this tip for a couple days and your hair should have a bit of natural sheen to it.

4. Choose Wisely
The products you’re using in your daily hair care routine are, without a doubt, instrumental to your hair’s health. If you’re part of the majority, then you likely have a minimal hair care routine consisting of things like shampoo and either a paste/gel or hairspray. The great thing is that you likely don’t need to add anything to that list – just be conscious of what is in those products.

Look for an alternative shampoo that’s sulfate-free. As far as styling products go, most are going to be packed with harmful chemicals. If you want to stand by your product you’ve used for years, then just be more mindful and use it more sparingly in the future. If you want to take a stand against this pollution of your scalp, then switch to all-natural alternatives like aloe vera or a gelatin based mixture.

Above all, remember that it’s just hair. A bad haircut or a little hair loss isn’t the end of the world, and most hair issues are fixable. Treat your hair well and it will treat you well too, but don’t overthink it.

We don't always think of derms as hair experts, but they are the professionals to see for things like dandruff and hair thinning. As someone who has experienced bilateral eyelash loss (twice), I'm well aware that hair-related ailments can be scary and confusing to navigate. Even seeking everyday good hair health can be something of a mystery. I know my hair goes through phases—often it's thriving, while other times I can see it struggling. But, I can't always pinpoint the habits that yield either result.

To get an expert opinion on the lifestyle changes most likely to promote healthier hair, we reached out to board-certified dermatologist Ainah Tan, MD, FAAD.

Tan notes that healthy hair shedding is approximately 100 to 150 hairs a day and, with that, you can expect to see about a half-inch per month of growth. But as you get older, your rate of growth slows (and you have to step up your care routine if you want to keep your hair, brows, and lashes in optimum health). "Hair loss and thinning is an extremely frustrating issue and can be difficult to treat, as the cause can be difficult to determine," notes Tan. Whether you're trying to turn hair loss around or simply want your strands to look, feel, and be their best, here are the dermatologist-approved ways to improve your hair health today.

Eat clean

When it comes to hair, you are what you eat. A nutrient-dense diet will greatly improve the health of hair follicles, giving you shinier strands. "Make sure that you are eating a healthy diet including lots of leafy vegetables and sources of iron," advises Tan. "Both iron and vitamin D help build and strengthen hair. This is why these ingredients are so often found in hair supplements."

Stay on top of your health

When your body is out of whack, it can show in your hair. "It is important to also make sure that the rest of your body is in working order and to regularly visit your doctor for a check-up," reminds Tan. "They can check things like your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), as thyroid dysfunction can be a reason for dull or thinning hair."

Keep your stress in check

"Minimize stress as much as possible," advises Tan. "Stress can affect the body immensely. When your mind and body are stressed, energy is diverted from making lush, thick hair." Additionally, Tan notes that stressful events such as delivering a baby, being hospitalized, or dealing with a death in the family can trigger a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. "But don’t worry, once the stress is decreased and life starts getting back to normal, hair growth typically returns to a healthy state," assures Tan.

Keep products and heat to a minimum

Overworking your hair with daily styling and product buildup can eventually take its toll on the health of your strands and scalp. "Minimize the use of products and hair care practices that can damage the hair cuticle, especially those that use heat," warns Tan. This includes but isn't limited to blow drying and styling with hot tools. "These practices induce bubbles and breaks in the hair that can decrease luster and actually cause hair breakage," says Tan.

Listen to your hair

An important thing to remember is that everyone's hair and scalp are different. What works for your friend might not be the best option for you. Pay attention to how your own hair reacts to products, practices, and haircare routines. Then, adjust accordingly. Tan reminds that it's okay to wash your hair daily. "Increased frequency of hair washing does not cause increased hair loss," she clarifies. "Everyone’s scalp is different and has different washing needs." Do what works for you.

Try keratin

Keratin isn't just for smoothing, it can actually give your hair a boost to make your strands more resilient. Tan notes that hair salon keratin treatments and hair care lines such as Nioxin "can help thicken hair and improve its appearance."

When in doubt, see a derm

"If you are getting distinct patches of hair loss, I would recommend seeing a board-certified dermatologist to diagnose and treat your hair loss, as there may be an autoimmune cause, such as alopecia areata," says Tan. Sometimes, hair loss is hereditary and runs in the family. "This is called androgenetic alopecia (hormonal and genetic hair loss)," explains Tan. She says that this typically presents with thinning all over the scalp, but is usually most prominent on the top and sides of your scalp.

Tan notes that there are a variety of treatment options including topical medications (Rogaine), vitamin supplementation (Viviscal, Nutrafol), oral medications (spironolactone, finasteride, dutasteride), and even procedures (injections of platelet-rich plasma, hair transplantation) that can help. "Make sure to see a board certified dermatologist to discuss your options," she recommends.

This article is from Byrdie

For healthy locks, nourishment and recovery are key, say experts

Our moods aren’t the only thing getting out of control this summer. Your locks get unruly too.

Every season, a multitude of women work hard to shed a few pounds before jetting off to a beach holiday. But a word of caution: while you’re pursuing pure bliss in the sun, sea and sand, your hair gets a pretty rough deal. Chlorine, sunshine, saltwater, dry air and humidity can prove to be a damaging combination, often times causing excessive breakage and more.

No fun in the sun

“The UV rays dry out and can harm the outer layer of the hair shaft and this is more obvious in colour-treated hair,” says Dr Cagatay Sezgin, Hair Transplant Surgeon, American Aesthetic Medical Centre. “On the other hand, hair grows fast during summer due to increase in blood circulation.”

As much of a necessity as it is, air conditioning also sucks the moisture right out of your strands. “It dries and dehydrates the hair causing frizziness and weak hair,” says Dr Ramachandran Rajagopal, Specialist Dermatology and Venereology, Aster Hospital, Al Qusais. “Chlorine in pool water or salt in seawater dries out the hair, while sweat and dust causes dandruff and split ends. Frequent use of top knots and ponytails can cause hair loss because of pulling on the sides of scalp.”

Shield your head

It’s one of the best ways to protect your hair from the sun’s rays. And if a baseball cap is killing your look, get a scarf or a wide-brimmed hat. “The best way to screen hair from the sun is wearing a scarf,” says Dr Mayur Bhobe, Specialist Dermatologist, Cocoona Centre for Aesthetic Transformation. “If it’s not to your liking, then use a leave-in conditioner.”

Chlorine is used to kill bacteria in pools, but it’s also a harsh chemical bleach that can wreak havoc on your hair. “Wear a swim cap, rinse hair after swimming, wash hair with a shampoo especially formulated for swimmers and follow with a good conditioner,” advises Dr Roula Amer, Consultant Dermatologist, American Hospital Dubai. “Choose a shampoo that’s sulphate free as it removes excess dirt and oil, or one that lists dimethicone as an ingredient to increase shine and moisturise.”

Do not shampoo before you go for a swim, as this will rob your hair of all protective oils and make it extra vulnerable to the chemicals and salt in the water. “Once you’re out of the pool and have taken a quick shower, use a shampoo that has ethylene tetra-acetic acid,” says Dr Bhobe. “This will remove any harmful effects of chlorine.”

According to research, excessive sun exposure is the most damaging factor, with UVA rays fading your colour and UVB leading to breakage. “There are many useful sun protection formulas such as oils, sprays, creams and shampoos,” says Dr Amer. “They contain ingredients such as coconut and sunflower oils, tamanu oil, zinc oxide and vitamin E, which help in protecting hair from damage caused by chemicals and UV rays.”

Tackle the frizz

Summer is the season of frizzy hair, and when heat and humidity are at an all-time high, that fuzzy halo comes out in full force. “Use more conditioner to coat the hair so that it doesn’t absorb moisture from outside and become frizzy,” says Dr Rajagopal. “Apply a leave-in conditioner from roots to hair ends and cover with a towel. If frizziness is severe, leave it covered overnight with the towel. If this does not help, use a hair mask once or twice a week.”

Is a nourishing mask applied at home enough to coax hair into good condition? “If you have healthy hair, applying a hydrating mask once a week is enough, but if your hair is dry you may need to apply it two to three times a week,” says Dr Sana Sajan, Director, American Aesthetic Medical Centre. “It all depends on your hair condition.”

Be cautious while using an overnight hair conditioning mask, as it sometimes does harm than good. “When moisture is absorbed into the hair shaft, the inner structure swells and causes tension on the shaft,” says Dr Bhobe. “As your hair dries, it contracts back to normal, but the constant expanding and contracting of the hair cuticle results in hygral fatigue, which leads to breakage.”

With more and more salons offering high-tech conditioning treatments, people turn to them for a hair fix. “If you know how to take care of your hair then there would be no need for expensive and high-tech solutions,” says Dr Sezgin. “Keep yourself well-hydrated and avoid colouring as much as possible, especially blonde. Avoid blow-drying and tight braiding and look out for harmful ingredients in shampoos and hair dyes.”

Avoid heated tools

Heat styling tools are great for giving your hair that perfect look, but they can also ruin your hair. “They are not only harmful during summer, but all the time,” says Dr Sajan. “Hair is made up of protein and heat destroys this protein layer.”

As heat styling breaks down the hair’s hydrogen bonds, applying concentrated heat from a curling or straightening iron can be very damaging. “Bubble hair is a condition that emerges from excessive heat application on damp or wet hair. The hair fibre is weakened from this internal damage, leaving it dry and brittle. As far as possible allow hair to dry naturally in summers.”

There are many natural remedies that deliver great results when used for hair growth. “Dull hair can be tackled by rinsing hair in organic apple cider vinegar before shampoo,” says Dr Rajagopal. “Eggs are rich in protein and help recover damaged hair. Mix a quarter cup plain yoghurt with quarter cup mayonnaise and one egg white and distribute evenly in hair. Leave for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water. For hair loss take two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds and soak overnight. Make a paste by mixing with yoghurt and massage into the scalp. Rinse with a mild shampoo after one hour.”


This article is from Gulf News