We're Not Splitting Hairs: Hair Health FAQ

Do you need a little health help when it comes to your hair?

Maybe you’re experiencing hair loss or thinning. Or your hair, with age and time, is becoming grey. Or perhaps it’s changed with or after pregnancy. You want to know what’s going on.

And what about hair down there? What’s the deal? Why do we even have hair in certain places? What is, health-wise, good for your hair anyway?

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers involving all things hair.

Let’s dive in!

Why Do We Have Hair?

Hair may prove less useful now than it was back in hunter-gatherer or the cavemen era. Hair used to be a means to keep the body warm, as well as prevent bacteria from reaching it. It further protects the skin from harmful sun exposure.

Yet, today, clothing and other items do this job for us. But evolution isn’t quite that fast. Thus, you still have hair on top of your head and on your/p>

Why Does Hair Turn Grey?

As expected, this is definitely an age thing. And sometimes, it happens earlier for individuals than others. Basically, the pigment cells in the hair die over time. This causes your hair to lose its colour. With less pigmentation, the hair becomes more transparent, which is why it appears grey or white.

And if you’re experiencing premature greying, you can blame your genetics.

Does Dying Your Hair Have Any Health Effects?

Health-wise, dying your hair is only not good for your hair. The chemicals in dye and bleach dry out the hair. Yet, it can also cause allergic reactions in some people.

Experts have determined that little hair dye is absorbed by the skin. For example, it used to be considered harmful during pregnancy but more recently, scientists and doctors have said it’s likely safe. The small amounts absorbed won’t likely reach the fetus.

Why Does Hair Loss Happen?

Okay - so for this one, there are many reasons why hair loss may be happening. For men, the most common reason is male pattern baldness. And again, it’s 100% genetic. A certain gene causes the hair follicles to shrink. Eventually, these hairs become shorter and shorter and barely emerge from the hair follicle.

This can happen in women too, but it’s less common. Other reasons for hair loss include autoimmune conditions, side effects from certain medications, excessive dying, bleaching, or styling of hair, or hormonal changes.

Does Hair Change During Pregnancy?

Your hair may change during pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations. Many women find their hair gets longer and fuller during those 9 months. After pregnancy though, your hair may begin to fall out and return to its previous state.

Further, these hormone changes may cause hair to grow in new places, such as on the belly or breasts.

Although, it’s important to note that these changes may vary from woman to woman.

What’s Up With the Hair Down There?

Despite popular belief that it’s useless, hair down there does have a protective mechanism. It acts as a first line of defence against bacteria.

Yet, many people choose to get rid of it. And while there aren’t any health benefits associated with removing it, some individuals cite it as more comfortable. Basically, the choice is yours!

Does Hair Change With Menopause?

Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods permanently come to a halt. As such, a woman can no longer get pregnant. But because of this, a hormone shift does happen. As aforementioned, your hormones can impact hair growth and texture.

Many women note that the hair on top of their head starts falling out or thinning during menopause. Some also complain about their facial hair becoming thicker or growing more than previously noticed.

Why does this happen? This is often due to estrogen and androgen levels. The levels of these two hormones drop during menopause. As a result, your hair may thin out or fall out.

While this may impact your self-esteem, there are tons of ways to combat hair changes and loss due to age. There’s hormone therapy, as well as aesthetic methods such as hair extensions or even wigs (there are some pretty awesome hairstyles with wigs nowadays!).

Why Does Hair Become Frizzy & Dry With Age?

Alright, back to the chemical causing effects of hair dye. If you use dye or bleach your hair, over your lifetime, it will dry your hair out. Same goes for perms or hair relaxers. And the biggest problem? Most women don’t replace these proteins and amino acids lost during these hair treatment sessions.

On the other hand, time also causes bacteria, dirt, sebum, and hormones to build-up on the hair root (yeah, I know - who knew? It makes sense though.). And it doesn’t just get removed with a good cleaning. Often, a special shampoo is needed to fix this problem.

Do Hair Vitamins Work?

You’re probably looking for a more straight-forward answer. But the truth is that whether or not hair vitamins work varies from person to person. They can work. But they can also be completely ineffective.

What’s the Deal with Dandruff & How Do I Get Rid of It?

Dandruff is a condition where flakes of the scalp appear in the hair. And while it is commonly mistaken for bad hygiene, it’s not technically related to it. But washing your hair and brushing it can help!

It’s frequently caused by dry skin, dermatitis, certain skin products, and other skin conditions or issues. The best way to prevent dandruff is by washing it, managing stress, and avoiding sun exposure or burning the skin of the scalp.

What Else Can Your Hair Reveal About You?

Interestingly, your hair can reveal facts about your health, such as possible underlying health conditions. Stress can create damage and even cause your hair to grey earlier than normal. Brittle hair may indicate Cushing’s Syndrome, and thinning or dry hair may also suggest thyroid problems. Further, hair issues may give way to an unknown nutritional deficiency.

Your Hair Health Matters

And it may even give you clues as to what’s going on under the surface. Hopefully, by now, we’ve answered some of your most sought-after hair questions! Now you can set out knowing a little bit more about all things hair.

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