Category: Hair Loss Hard Water

Coffee and Hair Loss: Is Caffeine Causing Us to Lose Our Hair Faster?

6/27/2017

Is that morning coffee or that second (or third, or fourth) afternoon coffee playing a role in your hair loss? The answer may surprise you.

Ah, coffee: the go-to energy source for pretty much anyone needing a morning jolt on the way into work. Whether you’re a purist who prefers their Folgers in their cup, or pledge allegiance the all mighty green siren of the coffee juggernaut Starbucks, or even if you’re into the third wave coffee moment made possible by hipster baristas with tattoos and deep v-necks, carefully concocting craft coffees like little chemists, one thing is certain: we can all agree that most of us are coffee lovers.

Like many of our innocent indulgences (or in coffee’s case, crack-cocaine level addiction), we have to ask questions what the long term effect will be. Will too much sugar wreck havoc on your body? Will too much television turn my mind to mush? Will cheering for Chelsea make you a racist? For a long time the only answer to these questions was ‘time will tell.’ But specifically how does these things play a role in hair loss. We covered what role smoking plays in accelerating hair loss.

But what’s the story with coffee and caffeine?
Unlike smoking, caffeine actually is good for hair growth. According the Internal Journal of Dermatology, caffeine is a “stimulator of human hair growth.” In an experiment, two doctors took biopsies of the scalps of 14 test subjects (men who were in the early stages of hair loss) and then exposed their hair follicles to different solutions with various levels caffeine. After 8 days, the hairs exposed to the caffeine solutions showed signs of growth. For the hair follicles that were exposed of solutions of only caffeine, those hairs grew the fastest.

How does this work?
In an article published in the International Journal of Trichology (a google search for the word ‘trichology’ says that it is a branch of dermatology that specializes in the study of the hair and scalp) back in the July-Sept. 2012 issue, states, “…newer advances have shown caffeine to have beneficial effects in patients suffering from [Androgenetic alopecia] AGA. The proposed mechanism which would counteract DHT-induced miniaturization of the hair follicle include inhibition of phosphodiesterase by caffeine, which increases cAMP levels in cells, therefore promotes proliferation by stimulating cell metabolism.”

So make it double shot next time, right?
Not so fast. The study hair follicle study mentioned earlier concluded that in order see significant growth, a person would need to drink approximately 60 cups a day (or 6000mg of caffeine) to stimulate significant hair growth. Unfortunately, drinking that much coffee could possibly stop your heart. However, as the International Journal of Trichology concludes “the beneficial effects of topical application of caffeine in AGA can thus be attributed to inhibition of phosphodiesterase, improvement in barrier function, follicular penetration, stimulation and promotion of hair growth.” (emphasis mine, not original author). Topical application. Caffeine can actually be absorbed quick quickly and effectively through the skin. That’s how products like Alpecin Coffein Shampoo claim to work so well with stimulating hair growth. The caffeine in the shampoo will work it’s way to he root of the hair follicle, thus stimulating the root and giving it the energy needed to grow. It would appear that coffees energy boosting benefits go beyond the bottom of one’s cup.

Masaakii Hair Fiber

5/18/2017

Exercise & Hair Loss
by LINDA TARR KENT

Exercise can keep your body and your hair healthy--if you’re not doing too much of it. Exercising heavily without addressing nutrition needs or exercising too much can lead to problems that cause hair loss. Other factors that can lead to hair loss include using steroids to boost physical performance and a lack of proper hair care, such as leaving chlorinated water on hair after swimming or allowing sweat to build up on the scalp for too many days.

Prevention/Solution

Regular exercise can prevent some forms of hair loss because it boosts general health as well as circulation. “The condition of your hair is often a reflection of the overall health of your body,” says Jerrold D. Bass, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based master haircutter. Bass advises exercising, eating well, getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water and reducing stress to promote scalp health. Exercise also is a key component of improving health in people who have peripheral artery disease, which can cause hair loss on the legs.

Warning

Excessive exercise over a long period of time puts the body into a state of chronic stress, advises Ann Louise Gittleman, nationally known nutritionist and author of the "The Fat Flush Fitness Plan." Chronic stress is one of the top two causes of telogen effluvium (TE), a condition in which hair follicles go into a resting phase prematurely and shed hair rather than continuing to grow it, the American Hair Loss Association explains. Poor nutrition is the other top cause of TE, which shows up as thinning hair all over the scalp. This shedding might not be even, with some areas of the scalp losing more hair than others.

Anemia

Female athletes are at higher risk for iron-deficiency anemia, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advises. One consequence of iron deficiency can be hair loss, the University of Maryland says. Termed alopecia, this type of hair loss can happen in circular areas or all over the head. There may be a receding hair line or inflammation, and a person may lose eyebrows, eyelashes or pubic hair.

Steroids

Athletes and others who use anabolic steroids to boost the intensity or effectiveness of their workouts can lose hair. These steroids are similar to testosterone, a main contributor to hair loss. In some extremely rare cases, excessive exercise without steroids can raise testosterone levels and lead to hair loss, advises Teen Health FX, a service of New Jersey’s Morristown Memorial and Overlook hospitals.

Sweat Buildup

Salty buildup on the scalp can cause hair to shed or just break and get dull and dry. You can prevent sweat damage to hair, however, by controlling salt buildup and moisture, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Control this buildup by washing hair with a shampoo that is mild and pH-balanced at least once a week. Condition weekly with a moisturizing protein conditioner as well. Also limit your use of hot tools such as curling irons and blow driers that damage hair.

Chlorine

Swimming in chlorinated pools can cause hair to dry out and break off. That’s because pools need to keep high levels of chemicals such as chlorine in them for public health. One of the best ways to protect hair is to wet it with non-chlorinated water so it absorbs the regular water prior to entering the pool, the Hair Loss Expert advises. If you can, rinse with non-chlorinated water every 30 minutes. Wearing a swim cap and washing and conditioning your hair after swimming will help, too, the Harvard School of Public Health says.

Source: livestrong.com

4/24/2017

Hair Loss due to Hard Water Still Unclear But Possible.

Below is a map showing the locations where the water is the hardest in Canada. Among all the locations, Toronto GTA, Saskatchewan and Alberta are ranked the highest in this category. The studies on hair loss caused by hard water is still unclear. However, from our recent research, we have found out through Google Analytics that heavy users of hair loss products are located in areas where the water is the hardest.

How to Prevent Hair Loss Due to Hard Water

"Hard" water is typically defined as water that has a high mineral content. While large amounts of calcium are often to blame for the development of hard water, high stores of copper and magnesium can also contribute to poor water quality. It should be noted that laboratory experiments have concluded that there was little appreciable difference in the tensile strength and elasticity of hairs after they were treated with hard and soft water.[1] Anecdotally, however, water with a high mineral content might make your hair feel drier and more brittle, which can contribute to hair loss. If this is your experience there are some steps you can take.

Taking Steps to Soften your Water

Soften your water. Although it is unlikely that hard water will lead directly to hair loss, softening the water you use to wash your hair can help you have a healthy and strong head of hair. The most comprehensive way to do this is by lowering the mineral content of the water. Water softener machines are specifically designed to solve this problem.[2]

Water softeners are typically kept in basements or garages, and they work to reduce calcium and magnesium (limescale) in the water.[3]
If your home or apartment does not already have a water softener, you might consider buying one.
In some cases, you may also be able to rent a water softener in order to try it out before making the investment of buying one.

Get a shower filter. A much more practical and affordable option is just to get a filter for your shower head. These work in much the same way as a regular water filter, by neutralizing pH levels.[4] You will need to replace your existing shower head, but this is a lot cheaper and easier than buying a full water softening system.

You may have to replace the actual filter inside the shower head every six months or so, but these are relatively inexpensive.
You can expect to pay between $10 and $45 for a filter in the US.[5]

Try adding some alum to water. One way to get softer water is set aside a bucket of water from the shower or tap which you will use to rinse your hair. Before you rinse, add a spoonful of alum to the bucket of water. The alum will help the minerals in the water to settle at the bottom.[6]

You can then scoop up water from the surface to rinse your hair.
This water will be less rich in minerals, and less hard.
You can find alum powder at the spice section of your grocery store.

Look for shampoos that fight hard water. There are shampoos available that are specifically designed for hard water that can help you lower the chances of hair loss.[7] A "chelating" or "clarifying" shampoo is a good choice. These shampoos are designed to tackle and prevent mineral build-up in your hair, but they are harsh so should be used sparingly.[8]

Look for a shampoo with the ingredient EDTA.
Only use this shampoo once a week.
Use a moisturising conditioner after you use this shampoo.[9]

Use a conditioner. It's always a good idea to use a conditioner after you wash your hair in hard water. This will help to prevent your hair drying out and becoming brittle, which can contribute to hair loss. Look for a conditioner with natural ingredients that will moisturise your hair.

Argon oil is an intensely moisturising ingredient to look out for.[10]
You can find conditioners especially designed for hard water areas.

Consider a leave in conditioner. To condition your hair even more, you can use a leave in conditioner. This just means you lightly apply it to your hair after washing and let it soak in. Two or three drops of coconut or almond oil gently rubbed into the lower half of your hair will help you to lock in the moisture and prevent dryness.[11]

Don't apply more than this or you will end up with greasy hair.
The importance of having a good hair care regime to prevent hair loss is heightened by being in a hard water area.

Add vinegar to the water you use to rinse your hair. Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with three cups of water. Take a shower, shampooing your hair as normal. The vinegar can remove built-up minerals from hard water, as well increasing shine and body.[12] When it is time to rinse the shampoo from your hair, use the water and vinegar mixture you created.

Carefully pour the concoction over your head, being sure to soak all strands of hair.[13]
Rinse it off after a couple of minutes.
Some people prefer to use apple cider vinegar.[14]

Try a lemon or lime juice rinse. An alternative to vinegar, is a lemon or lime rinse. It works in a similar way to vinegar by breaking down residual salts and minerals in your hair. Lemon and lime juice also strips off excess oil, which makes it an especially good choice for those with greasier hair.[15]

Mix with the same measurements as the vinegar method, one tablespoon of lemon or lime juice to three cups of water.
After shampooing, massage this solution into your hair and your scalp.
Rinse it off after a couple of minutes.[16]

Use filtered water for the final rinse. To cut down on your use of hard water, you could use some filtered water for the last rinse when you are washing your hair. You will need about a litre of water for this. Simply pour it over your head a little at a time to wash out the shampoo and conditioner.[17]

For a short-term option you could use bottled mineral or spring water.
Using bottled water regularly would get expensive and wouldn't be environmentally friendly.

Use rainwater to wash your hair. Rainwater is also a good substitute to hard water when washing your hair, as it very soft and largely free of salts and minerals. Place a large bucket outside during rainfalls, collecting as much of the liquid as possible.[18] When it is time to take a bath or shower, heat the water in batches in a large pot on the stove to medium heat, and use while bathing.

If you don't use the water straight away, it needs to be kept properly, with a secure lid.[19]
You shouldn't assume rainwater is safe to drink.[20]

Source: WikiHow

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Coffee and Hair Loss: Is Caffeine Causing Us to Lose Our Hair Faster?

Masaakii Hair Fiber

Exercise & Hair Loss
by LINDA TARR KENT

Hair Loss due to Hard Water Still Unclear But Possible.

How to Prevent Hair Loss Due to Hard Water

Taking Steps to Soften your Water

Author

Archives

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Copyright © 2023 Masaakii Hair Fiber. All rights reserved. | Toronto, Canada

Coffee and Hair Loss: Is Caffeine Causing Us to Lose Our Hair Faster?​

Masaakii Hair Fiber

Exercise & Hair Lossby LINDA TARR KENT

Hair Loss due to Hard Water Still Unclear But Possible.

How to Prevent Hair Loss Due to Hard Water

Taking Steps to Soften your Water

Author

Archives

Categories

Copyright © 2023 Masaakii Hair Fiber. All rights reserved. | Toronto, Canada

Coffee and Hair Loss: Is Caffeine Causing Us to Lose Our Hair Faster?

Exercise & Hair Loss
by LINDA TARR KENT