Research shows that changes in your hair's look, texture, or thickness can be signs of underlying health conditions. Here's how you can tell whether your hair changes are due to a health problem, genetics, stress, or a nutritional deficiency.
Some people tend to naturally shed hair in the spring and fall; others in the summer and winter. But diffuse hair loss — noticeable hair loss on your body and your head can indicate an iron deficiency or an underactive thyroid. Vegetarians and women with heavy periods can experiences this type of hair loss.
A variety of scalp conditions that are associated with inflammation can lead to altered hair texture over time. Conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis can lead to drier duller hair. Many individuals with FFA and LPP have co-existent seborrheic dermatitis and if present, this should be treated.
However, just because your hair feels soft doesn't actually mean that it is healthy. In addition to being soft, your hair should be strong and shiny as well to signify that it's in good condition. Soft hair is usually well moisturised with good elasticity, both of which are signs that hair is in good health.
Unhealthy hair usually has a rough texture, lack of shininess and luster, have split ends, lack of moisture and elasticity even after treatment and easily broken. Damaged hair will also get tangled up and result in knots due to hair dryness.
Healthy hair has a high level of elasticity, and this is what gives hair its body, bounce, and texture formation.
Texture Changes: While not as common, stress may also impact the texture of your tresses. “High levels of [cortisol] can, in some cases, cause changes in texture and appearance because it does affect follicle function,” Friese notes.
First things first, thick hair doesn't necessarily mean healthy hair. Some peeps desire thick hair because they associate it with fuller, healthier-looking hair. Many folks try to avoid thinner hair because of its perceived links to unhealthy hair and hair loss.
By sliding a strand, or a few, between your thumb and forefinger, you might be able to feel for the health of your hair. A smooth, easy slide, likely means your hair is healthy, while a rough and bumpy feeling means you likely have some damage.
Hair that lacks hydration (a.k.a. dehydrated hair) typically looks dull and feels rough. Additionally, it's tough to style, extra oily, lacks volume and split ends are much more noticeable. In appearance, it's very similar to dry hair which is why it can be tough to distinguish between the two.
Dorin suggests a quick trick: "Take about 60 hairs in your hand and run your fingers through it. Usually between five and eight hairs will come out — this is normal." (You're running your hand through your hair right now, aren't you?)
Summary: Hair samples from teens could help detect their risk of mental health problems. Researchers found teens with higher cortisol levels in hair samples were more likely to experience depression. Low cortisol levels were also linked to an increased risk of mental health issues.
Hair structure
The hair root is in the skin and extends down to the deeper layers of the skin. It is surrounded by the hair follicle (a sheath of skin and connective tissue), which is also connected to a sebaceous gland. Each hair follicle is attached to a tiny muscle (arrector pili) that can make the hair stand up.
Dry, dull or brittle hair
If your hair has become dry and coarse, or you have developed brittle nails, you may want to talk to your doctor. These are common signs of a condition called hypothyroidism, an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland that is treated with thyroid hormone replacement medication.
Although various studies have produced conflicting evidence about the relationship between iron deficiency and hair loss, most doctors agree that a seriously low level of iron in the blood can impact the physiological process of hair follicles, damaging them and leading to hair loss.
Hemoglobin is what carries oxygen to repair and grow cells such as those that stimulate hair growth. Hair loss caused by iron deficiency can look like traditional pattern baldness – a noticeable increase in the number of hairs left on a brush or on the shower floor.
Feeling stressed? It can show in your skin, hair, and nails.
You will need protein in hair if your hair is porous, limp, has low elasticity, is shedding, or has been recently colored. High porous strands have tears and gaps in the hair, exposing the cortex (outer layer) to environmental stressors.
Excessive hair touching is a repetitive and addictive habit that can be extremely hard to stop and can lead to Trichotillomania - a hair pulling disorder. Many women who's hands are always buried in their hair, typically suffer from very dry ends, oily roots, hair loss and poor overall hair condition.
Over scrunching your hair and touching your hair too much actually causes frizz and breakage. When your fingers touch your hair too much, they can actually steal away essential oils, leading to dry and easily broken hair strands.