V.itamines for hair: can they really help when the hair looks brittle and dull? Well yes, some vitamins in fact, together with specific trace elements and mineral saltsalso play a key role in stimulating hair growth and to keep the hair and scalp healthy. Brittle and weakened hair can be, not surprisingly, even the indicator of one vitamin deficiency. To understand better what are the substances that can promote hair growth and make them stronger, we asked a few questions to dermatologist Antonino Di Pietrodirector of the Vita Cutis Dermoclinic Institute.
Hair: why do we lose more after the summer?
The period in which it happens most often to experience greater hair loss or to end up with dull and weakened hair is precisely after summer. But what is the reason?
“The causes for which after the summer we tend to lose more hair, in reality, are not yet fully known, as indeed we do not know why, in general, we lose our hair. – explains Professor Di Pietro – Among the hypotheses, the one I think most plausible is that during the summer, due to the sweating and the action of aggressive atmospheric agents, such as heat and wind, a weakening of the hair bulbs and therefore of the germinative areas of the hair can occur. The heat and sweating, above all, they can disperse those substances such as vitamins and trace elements that give energy and nourishment to the bulbs and which are therefore essential for hair health. Without considering what to take too much sun on the head can also damage the microcirculation, giving rise to a poor oxygenation of the bloodstream and consequently to a weakening of the bulbs ».
Weakening of the bulbs: the effects are noticed after some time
The damage that sun and heat can do to hair, however, are not, as is often believed, immediately visible.
“When there is a weakening of the bulb, hair loss is not immediate – underlines Professor Di Pietro – given that the damage on the scalp occurs at a few millimeters of depth, we can notare weaker and more fragile hair only in the following weeks. In other words, if the hair falls out today, it is likely that the weakening of the bulbs occurred a month or two months ago ».
Vitamins for hair: beware of “wild” diets
We often tend to underestimate it but there is another factor that can weaken the hair leading to greater fall.
“Before the summer many people have excessively restrictive diets in view of the notorious ‘swimsuit test’ – underlines the dermatologist – After a period of excessive weight loss, especially in the face of incorrect nutritioni hair can weaken and appear more brittle why it occurs a vitamin deficiency. Among the most common causes of hair loss, there is also anemia, or iron deficiency“.
The substances that are good for the hair
Fortunately, however, if after the summer we find ourselves having to deal with this type of problem, it is possible run for cover, focusing on the right strategies and using specific supplements.
“There are substances that may be particularly important for hair health – explains Professor Di Pietro – because they ensure that the blood that reaches the hair bulbs is richer in active ingredients useful to improve the metabolism of the cells, so that they can ‘manufacture’ greater and better keratin, the stuff our hair is made of. It is about vitamins but also trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper and silicon. Very effective natural supplements for hair are therefore those that contain all these elements ».
Vitamins for hair: the best to bet on
“As regards the vitaminsthose that most favor the health of the hair are the B vitaminsin particular the biotin that stimulates hair growth – continues Professor Di Pietro – but also the C vitamin which improves the microcirculation of the scalp and the Vitamin E which is antioxidant. It should also be noted that a vitamin-based supplement it can also help when hair loss is not specifically due to a deficiency ».
Healthy hair: other substances that can help
Along with vitamins there are other substanceseven less known, which can help promote hair growth.
«Today many supplements are based on bamboo – explains the dermatologist – Una plant that in nature is rich in silicon and selenium, trace elements that keep the hair bulb healthy. Not only that, a key role is also played by flavonoids that improve the blood supply to the scalpand give it sulfur amino acids which are important precursors of keratin ».
Hair: help from Glixina
In case of hair loss, in addition to supplements based on vitamins and amino acids, it can also be very useful to resort to supplements based on Glixinaan innovative compound.
«Glixina-based lotions or shampoos today represent an excellent anti-hair loss strategy. – explains the dermatologist – Glixina is in fact a active compound that derives from glycogenan element that stimulates and promotes the activity of the bulbs. Not surprisingly, it has been observed that in the first months of life, at the embryonic level, the hair bulbs are rich in glycogen. Glixina makes it possible to use the bioactive form of glycogen at the bulbar level ».
Vitamins for hair: how they should be taken
So how to make the most of the power of vitamins for hair health? The first rule, of course, is to follow proper nutrition that ensures the body all the necessary nutrients. When the power supply is not enough, one can resort to specific supplements but not only.
«Today we have available very innovative treatments for hair regrowth – explains Professor Di Pietro – a novelty in our Institute is represented by Biorevis, micro injections on the scalp of peptides, vitamins and amino acids conveyed in hyaluronic acid to stimulate the activity of the bulbs. Or again the PRPa treatment that is performed using one’s own blood and exploiting the action of platelets which, being rich in growth factorsare able to stimulate bulbar activity ».
Hair loss: when to worry
If after the summer an increase in hair loss is to be considered physiologicalone often wonders when it can be the indicator of a problem that it is good to refer to a specialist.
«We lose an average of 30 to 50 hairs a day without realizing it – specifies the dermatologist – because usually there are just as many that grow back. The problem is when there is a thinning or when we realize we are losing much more than usual: when, for example, we find many more on the pillow than in the shower. In these cases it may be useful to contact the dermatologist for a dermatoscopic examination of the scalp. The specialist will then evaluate the investigations to be made: if one is suspected mycosisfor example, you don’t need blood tests which can be instead useful for ascertaining metabolic problems, anemia or alopecia also of a hormonal nature“.
The mistake not to make
But if vitamins and supplements can help to thicken the hair, also pay attention to bad habits which can make the situation worse.
«When a copious fall is noticed, a common mistake is to keep running your hands through your hair to see how many are left in hand – concludes Professor Antonino Di Pietro -. We talk about trichotillomania, a habit that can make the situation worse. When we pull our hair, in fact, we can end up tearing and breaking the small capillaries which nourish the bulb. If there is already a condition of fragility, by altering the microcirculation, the bulb is no longer nourished and the hair falls out, because it is now a dead hair ». In the gallery above, here it is vitamins and substances that can help strengthen hair and stimulate their growth.
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