This blog post on Hair Questions and Answers is a compilation of the common questions asked about hair in Kenya and other places around the world.
How Do You Treat Hair Loss?
Click on this link to read the concise article on The Best Hair Loss Treatment or visit AlmasiSkincare.com/BestHairLossTreatment
Click on this link to read the full length article about The Best Alopecia or Hair Loss Treatment.
Click on the link to read about Hair Loss Causes
Click on the link to read about The Top 10 Foods For Hair Growth
Click on the link to read about The Best Scalp Treatment in Nairobi Kenya
Hair Questions: What Are The Effects of Long Term Use of Styling Gel?
Most styling gels have ingredients like alcohol, propylene glycol (PG) and other ingredients which strip off moisture from the hair strands. This makes the hair dry and prone to breaking. These ingredients also dry and dehydrate the scalp which causes scalp irritation, itchiness and even dandruff.
According to Pantene the world renowned company that produces hair care products, long term use of styling gel can make you loose hair as it affects sebum production which is responsible for keeping the scalp moist and holding the hair from the roots. When the sebum or oil production decreases, the hair roots are weakened and this results in hair loss and thinning.
Long term use or overuse of hair gels can also result in hair discoloration as the hair’s natural color becomes faded and dull as it loses it natural luster. There may also be premature greying of the hair.
To avoid these effects, use a very small amount of styling gel and ensure that you wash your hair thoroughly with moisturizing shampoos that remove all buildup.
Hair Questions: Which Essential Oils Help With Hair Growth?
To learn about the essential oils and carrier (vegetable) oils used for hair growth, click on the link to read The Best Oils for Hair Growth.
How Does Hair Grow?
Hair grows from stem cells which divide and differentiate into keratinocytes. These migrate, flatten and die eventually forming keratinized cells. These continue changing until they become the purely keratin hair strand that is seen on the skin’s surface.
The 3 stages of hair growth are anagen, catagen and telogen. In anagen the hair is growing and it can last for several years. In catagen the hair regresses and reduces its diameter and it can last for 2-4 weeks. In telogen the hair is resting and no growth occurs as the hair is gradually pushed out of the skin and it can last for upto 1 year.
At any given time 90% of all hairs are in anagen, 1% are in catagen and 10-15% of all hairs are in telogen.
How Do You Make Hair Grow Faster?
Click on the link to read How To Make Hair Grow Faster.
How Do You Thicken Hair?
Click on the link to read How To Thicken Hair Naturally.
What Are The Best Foods For Healthy Hair?
The following are the best foods for healthy hair:
*Biotin rich foods like peanuts, walnuts, almonds, eggs. Biotin is important because it is required for the production of the hair protein known as keratin.
*Zinc rich foods like pumpkin seeds. Zinc is important because its deficiency has been linked to hair loss.
*Iron rich foods like spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables. Iron is important because iron deficiency has been linked to hair loss.
*Protein rich foods like eggs, beef, beans. Protein is important because the hair follicles are made of protein and protein deficiency has been linked to hair loss.
*Vitamin C rich foods like berries, citrus fruits, spinach. Vitamin C is important because it is required for collagen production which strengthens the hair. Vitamin C also protects the hair follicles from free radical damage.
*Omega 3 fatty acid rich foods like chia seeds, salmon, sardines and other fatty fish. Omega 3s are important because they have ben linked to hair growth and reduced hair loss.
*Vitamin A rich foods like sweet potatoes, spinach. Vitamin A is important because its deficiency has been linked to hair loss.
How Do You Stop Hair Breakage?
Click on the link to read How To Stop Hair Breakage.
What Type Of Hair Do I Have?
To determine the type of hair that you have, ask yourself the following questions:
Is my hair straight (1), wavy (2), curly (3) or coily (4)?
Do I have spiral curls (A), kinky curls (B) or coily curls (C)?
Then put the number and letter that best describes your hair together and you have your hair type. For example the hair in the picture below is type 4C.
Hair Questions: What is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity is a measurement of the hair’s ability to absorb moisture and keep moisture in the strands. Hair porosity is determined by genetics but can be altered by heat and chemicals.
Hair Float Test
To determine your hair porosity, take a few strands of your clean hair and put them in a glass of water. If the hair sinks after a few minutes or is still floating, you have low porosity hair. If the hair shrinks after a few seconds or is in the middle of the water, you have medium porosity hair. If the hair shrinks immediately, you have high porosity hair.
Low Porosity Hair
*The cuticle is closed and tight which makes it hard for moisture to penetrate the hair and also makes it hair for moisture to escape once it has penetrated
*Hair takes a long time to dry
*Hair prone to product buildup because it doesn’t absorb products efficiently so they tend to build up on the surface
*Hair is not easily damaged by chemical processes, heat styling and UV exposure and can be resistant to coloring and other chemical processes
*Straight hair is usually but not always low porosity hair
*Use clarifying shampoos e.g. Neutrogena Anti Residue Shampoo
*Use lightweight conditioners e.g. Maui Moisture Lightweight Conditioner
*Use products with ingredient that can penetrate the hair shaft like jojoba, grapeseed e.g. Pattern Jojoba Hair Serum
*Use products with ingredient that can draw water to the hair shaft like glycerin
*Use products that protect the hair from heat styling
*Use sulfate free shampoos to open up the cuticle and allow moisture to enter and remove product build up
Medium Porosity Hair
*Looser cuticle which make it moderately easy for moisture to penetrate and leave the hair
*Hair not easily damaged by chemical processes, heat styling and UV exposure and it handles them well.
High Porosity Hair
*The cuticle is open and lose which allows moisture to easily pass in and out of the hair
*Hair dries quickly
*Hair prone to becoming frizzy in humid weather and becoming very dry in dry weather
*Curly hair is usually but not always high porosity hair
*Hair is easily damaged by chemical processes, heat styling and UV exposure
*Deep condition each time you wash and
*Use products with oils and butters to infuse moisture in the hair and seal in the moisture e.g. Shea Moisture Deep Moisturizing Masque
*Use products that seal cuticles and lock in moisture e.g. Oidad Advanced Climate Control Restore + Revive
*Use products with protein to strengthen dry, brittle strands
*Use protects that protect the strands from heat e.g. MoroccanOil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant
What Causes Hair Shedding?
It is important to note that people with healthy hair lose 100 strands a day.
However some conditions cause increased hair shedding and these include:
*Telogen effluvium
This is a kind of hair loss caused by stress and severe illness.
*Androgenetic alopecia
This is a type of hair loss that is caused by genes. It affects men (male pattern androgenetic alopecia) and women (female pattern androgenetic alopecia)
*Harsh hair care products
Using harsh hair care products like bleaches, dyes and relaxers can damage the hair and cause it to become brittle and break off which results in hair thinning.
To avoid hair shedding do the following:
*Use a wide-toothed comb in the shower as this minimizes hair damage when detangling.
*Use a detangling solution like SheaMoisture Deep Moisturizing Detangler
*Use heat like from blow dryers less often as it makes the hair brittle and more prone to breaking.
*Avoid tight hair styles like ponytails, weaves and braids which cause traction alopecia by pulling at the hair which make it fall off.
How Do You Wash Natural Hair?
Click on the link to read My Kenyan Wash Day Routine For Natural Hair.
How Do You Take Care Of Natural Hair?
Click on the link to read How To Take Care Of Natural Hair Naturally.
What Are The Signs Of Healthy Natural Hair?
The following are the characteristics of healthy natural hair:
*Healthy natural hair is soft
*Healthy natural hair is smooth
*Healthy natural hair is strong and elastic. It springs back to its original shape after stretching.
*Healthy natural hair has a healthy shine.
*Healthy natural hair has volume and movement which give it body.
Which Products Should I Use For Natural Hair?
Click on the link to read about The Best Natural Hair Products.
How Do You Treat Hair Conditions like Dry Hair, Damaged Hair, Brittle Hair, Dull Hair, Fizzy Hair, Split Ends, Hair Breakage, Thinning Hair, Hair Not Growing?
Click on the link to read about The Best Hair Treatment in Nairobi Kenya.
Hair Questions: How Do You Treat Scalp Conditions like Dandruff and Itchy Scalp?
Click on the link to read about The Best Scalp Treatment in Nairobi Kenya.
Which Doctor Treats Hair Conditions and Diseases?
Click on the link to read about The Best Hair Specialist Doctor in Nairobi Kenya.
Dispel Natural Hair Myths
Myth: All braids are protective hair styles
Fact: Tight braids can cause traction alopecia
Myth: If your hair is dry, add oil
Fact: If hair is dry, hydrate it with a water based product before sealing it in with an oil
Myth: The longer I leave the deep conditioner, the smoother the hair will be
Fact: Deep conditioners are meant to be on the hair for a maximum of 30 minutes. Leaving them for longer will make the hair more brittle over time
Myth: Natural hair does not grow
Fact: Natural hair does grow and doing periodic length checks will prove this.
Share your hair questions in the comments section.