Healthy and well-groomed hair is one of the most important factors for many women, influencing their well-being and self-confidence. What substances are most important for keeping hair in good condition? Which hair medications and supplements are worth choosing?
Strong hair – what damages it?
The condition of your hair says a lot about the condition of your entire body. Improper diet, mistakes in care, stress, hormonal disorders and numerous diseases adversely affect the nutrition of the hair and its appearance. Frequent exposure to high temperatures, dyeing and the use of strong irritating cosmetics make hair brittle, dull and prone to falling out. A diet poor in nutrients that are important for keeping hair in good condition also has a negative impact on its appearance. Long-term stress, certain diseases and medications have a similar effect.
Hair problems are much more common in women. Hair loss in some cases is completely normal and difficult to prevent. This applies to, m.in, women after pregnancy and in the perimenopausal period. The hormonal changes that occur then lead to more hair loss. This is only temporary and does not apply to all women, of course. To ensure proper nourishment and hydration of your hair, you can reach for proven preparations that will strengthen it both from the inside and from the outside.
Hair vitamins
Even the best cosmetics that provide strong hydration and strengthening of the hair will not improve its condition in the long term if there is no proper nourishment from the inside. An adequate supply of vitamins and minerals will ensure a healthy and beautiful look for your hair. Here are the most important substances, deficiencies of which cause hair weakening and loss:
- iron
- zinc
- selenium
- silicon
- B vitamins
- sulfur amino acids.
- B vitamins: biotin, riboflavin (vit. B2), folic acid, pantothenic acid
The B vitamins that have the greatest impact on hair nourishment are biotin, riboflavin, folate and pantothenic acid. Of all of them, biotin is the most popular vitamin for hair and nails. Numerous hair supplements contain biotin in different doses. Its deficiency actually leads to weakening and hair loss. It also has a negative effect on the appearance of nails and skin.
Biotin, also known as vitamin H, improves the condition of hair. However, the positive effect of its supplementation will only appear in people who have a deficiency of this substance. Biotin deficiencies are not common. They most often appear in patients undergoing parenteral treatment or patients on restrictive diets.
When taking hair supplements containing biotin, it is important to remember that this substance can falsify the results of many laboratory tests. This applies, m.in, to the test of thyroid hormones and vitamin D. It is therefore recommended to discontinue biotin a few days before the test. Always inform the person taking the blood about the medications and supplements you are taking.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) and folic acid also contribute to hair nourishment. Insufficient intake of these substances with food can lead to excessive hair loss. Hair becomes weakened and brittle.
When using vitamins on hair, it is worth remembering that not only the deficiency of these substances adversely affects the appearance and condition of the hair. Their excess is also harmful. This applies primarily to vitamins A and E. Using higher than recommended doses of vitamin A can lead to excessive hair loss.
Interestingly, the problem of excessive supplementation does not apply to biotin. Hair medications and supplements contain biotin in doses often many times higher than the recommended daily intake. However, it has not been proven so far that they have a negative or toxic effect on the body.
Minerals and other substances to nourish the hair
Among the minerals, iron has the greatest impact on hair nourishment. Deficiencies of this substance are common in society and can manifest themselves, m.in in hair problems. Even a slight deficiency can negatively affect hair growth, although it is easy to overlook it at first.
A deficiency of minerals such as zinc, silicon, and selenium also impairs the normal hair growth cycle. They become thin, split and fall out in larger quantities. It is worth knowing that the norm is to lose 50-100 hairs a day. Hair supplements may also contain sulfur amino acids. This is due to the fact that hair consists primarily of proteins. Too low protein supply to the body can lead to weakened hair.