1. Dandruff: Dandruff is not a dry scalp, it’s usually oily. So, don’t rub in oil to remove, this will just give you oilier flakes. A temporary measure to control dandruff is to shake together equal quantities of mouthwash and witch hazel and rub it into the scalp, before and after shampooing.
2. Brushing: Contrary to popular belief, excessive brushing is bad for your hair. Brushing pulls your hair out, breaks it off and scratches your scalp. If you brushed a wool sweater repeatedly, you’d fray it. The same goes for your tresses! Continue reading →

Hair Loss can cause great psychological distress, anxiety and often depression. Most people are aware that both alopecia areata and genetics are causes of excess hair fall and/ or bald patches. However, often this is not the case. Here are a few causes of excessive hair shedding you might not know about – and are all factors to consider if you are losing your hair.

1. Hypo or Hyperthyroid 

Having a hypo (low) or hyper (high) thyroid is a common cause of hair loss. You can have thyroid levels tested by your doctor through a routine blood test, and he or she will be able to tell you if the readings are within normal range. However, it’s important to be aware that when it comes to hair, readings within the ‘low-normal’ and ‘high-normal’ range can also cause hair problems. The levels acceptable to keep your vital tissues working adequately are not the same as the levels needed to sustain optimum follicle function. This also applies to ferritin, iron and B12 levels, to name a few. If you find you have hyper or hypothyroid, your GP can prescribe you medication to correct it, and this will help with your hair fall as well as any other symptoms you are experiencing. You may also wish to speak to a trichologist if you are concerned that your thyroid is causing hair loss.

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2. Birth Control Pill

Certain birth control pills have an effect on androgens (male hormones) and can cause hair fall if your follicles are sensitive to them and you have a genetic pre-disposition.  These include pills containing Norethisterone, Levonorgestrel, Gestodene and Ethynodiol Diacetate –  One of the most popular brands being Microgynon. If you experience hair fall from a certain birth control pill, it’s easy to remedy by changing to a ‘less androgenic’ one. The best of these are Yasmin and Dianette, which can actually help with hormonal hair fall unrelated to the pill, such as PCOS or genetic thinning. It goes without saying that you need to discuss your choice of pill with your doctor or gynaecologist. And, as these are guidelines, it is possible that the pill best for your hair may not be suitable for your metabolism.

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3. Pregnancy

While most women’s hair falls out less during pregnancy due to increased circulating oestrogen, around 50% experience post-partum hair fall. This hair loss occurs approximately 2-3 months after giving birth and is simply due to hormone levels returning to ‘normal’. Please try to remember that in most cases, the excess hair that comes out post-pregnancy is just the hair that was retained in the follicle during pregnancy. Most post-partum hair fall resolves on its own, but eating a healthy balanced diet can also help. If the loss persists for more than 10 weeks, please consult a trichologist.

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4. Traction Alopecia

Sometimes hair loss can be exacerbated or caused by excessive pulling on the hair by braids, extentions, weaves, or even too tight ponytails, pulled back harshly from the scalp. The latter is especially common in ballerinas and gymnasts. If caught early, traction alopecia can be easily corrected by removing or stopping the method causing it. However, traction loss over a prolonged period can cause permanent damage to the hair follicle, and your hair can stop growing back.

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5. Low Ferritin

One of the most common causes of hair loss in women is low ferritin levels, even if haemoglobin (red blood cell) levels are normal. Ferritin is a stored iron that helps produce hair cell protein. Its levels are rarely tested in a routine blood test, but if you are experiencing hair loss or thinning you should ask your doctor to check them. Even more so than with thyroid readings, low- normal ferritin levels can adversely affect your hair. For women, ferritin should be at least 80 micrograms per litre. There are many good supplements you can take to increase ferritin levels, but always consult with your doctor before choosing one. Rest assured though – as your ferritin levels reach a healthy figure, your hair will benefit immensely. You can also help increase ferritin levels by eating red meat, such as steak and liver, twice a week as part of a well balanced diet.

If you are experiencing hair loss, try not to worry. There are usually treatments, perscription medications and or changes in diet and lifestyle that can stop, slow and/or reverse hair loss, depending on the cause. For more advice, please call either our Dubai clinic to set up a consultation with the Dubai hair Doc

‘Dry hair’ is perhaps one of the most frustrating hair woes. This is especially true in Dubai when you have heat, sun, sea and chlorinated water to contend with.  You can have the best colour, cut and hairstylist – but if your hair is dry it’s never going to look or feel its best. Thankfully though, there are many easy steps you can take to restore hydration, shine and health to your tresses. And also ways to keep it from getting dry and damaged in the first place.

MOISTURIZE

Dry hair lacks moisture. And this is what causes it to look dull and also to break easily. The best way to re-vitalise fragile, dry locks is to hydrate them with a leave in pre shampoo treatment. What surprises many people though, is that daily shampooing can help with this too. Water is your hair’s most natural hydrator – it’s moisture, not oil content that keeps your hair supple. The use of a leave in conditioning protection spray can also be beneficial– acting as both a curative and preventative styling tool.

CONDITION

You should always use conditioner after you shampoo, but it’s especially vital if you have dry hair. Dry hair usually has a rough cuticle, which means it can’t reflect light well. Daily use of a post-shampoo conditioner for your hair texture will smooth your hair cuticle, giving you lovely light reflection and shine.

PROTECT FROM CHEMICAL PROCESSING

Dry hair is already fragile, so take extra precautions when you colour or highlight it. Make your stylist aware of your dry hair concerns and stress that you don’t want them to overlap previously bleached areas of hair. For extra protection and hydration, use an intensive moisturising mask 3 days before and then again after any colouring or bleaching.

UV PROTECTION

The summer is a great time to let your hair dry naturally and give it a break from heated styling aids . However, don’t leave your hair to dry in the sun. While the sun’s rays may be ‘natural’ they are just as damaging to your hair as bleach and can burn both your hair and scalp (just like they can burn your skin). ‘Natural’ can be a bit of a misleading word – after all, aren’t poison ivy, hemlock and bee stings ’natural’? If you’re going to sit in the sun all day, we suggest using a hair mask that contains UV protection, and then wash your hair at the end of the day.

HEALTHY DIET

This dry hair remedy isn’t a ‘quick fix’, but in the long term a healthy, well balanced diet will produce much stronger hair that’s in better condition. Your hair only grows half and inch a month, so you will see results from a nutritious diet in about 6 months. We suggest eating at least 120g of protein with breakfast and lunch (your hair is, after all, made of protein!) and including a mixture of complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables into your daily regime. Try to eat red meat, such as steak or liver, at least twice a week, especially if you are menstruating. Red meats contain both iron and ferritin (a stored iron that helps make hair cell protein) and are essential for strong,  healthy hair growth.

STYLING

If you use a blow-dryer to style your hair, make sure to hold it at least 6 inches away, and stop when’ just dry’. Correct blow drying doesn’t dry out your hair – it’s applying heat to already dried hair that does the damage. Straightening irons are never good for your hair, but they can certainly tame hard-to-control tresses. With this in mind, we suggest limiting their use to twice a week – and always use a styling aid with heat protection when doing so.

Seriously dry hair? Book a relaxing Spa Treatment at our Hair Sap Dubai, for 20% off. I am running a fit, healthy hair special offer for all my blog subscribers.

In their recent article, ‘Loss Adjuster’, Hair Journal spoke to the Dubai Hair Doctor about the signs that hairdressers should look for in order to help and support clients with hair loss. “There are three main types of hair loss and very often it is the regular stylist and junior at the backwash who may spot signs of thinning over time” Doc says. The following is some advice he gave to HJ.

Temporary Hair Loss

Temporary loss is just what the name implies- temporary. With this type of hair loss, people have the ability to recover 100% of the hair they have lost. The most common causes in women are post partum shedding, weight loss, anaemia, thyroid disorders and other health issues. However, before becoming overly concerned with increased shedding, Lyons suggests that hairdressers “take into account how often the hair is washed and the length before assuming it is something more serious”. But if the shedding has been going on for over six weeks, a visit to a trichologist should be recommended.

Semi-Permanent Loss

Semi-permanent loss in women is caused by female pattern hair loss – an inherited genetic condition that Lyon’s recognises as “becoming more common among young women”. Fortunately, this type of hair loss is partially reversible if dealt with by an experienced professional or clinic. The signs to look for are hair that is thinner on the top of the head and fuller around the back and sides and also a wider parting. Lyons recommends to HJ that hairdressers ask questions about their client’s general health, any weight loss, diet changes or notice in increased shedding in order to help. However, usually with female pattern hair loss, increased shedding isn’t necessarily noticed. In this type of loss, the hairs usually grow back finer and do not grow quite as long.

Permanent Hair Loss

Unfortunately, hair loss can be permanent. Permanent hair loss occurs when the hair follicle becomes damaged and is unable to produce new hairs. This can happen either from injury to the head, burns, localised radiotherapy and rarely from alopecia areata . However, in terms of alopecia areata, it can often go into remission whereby the hair will spontaneously grow back (in 98% of cases), but the loss can recur at any time.

While on-going hair loss should be checked out by a trichologist, Lyons says “with some little experience, knowledge and confidence hairdressers can certainly offer significant help and advise for their clients”.