6 things your hair can reveal about your overall health

After our skin, if we look out for anything when it comes to our appearance, it is our hair. Whether it is hair fall, dandruff, split hair, and more – hair concerns have become common nowadays. But do you know that the condition of your hair has something to say to you? Yes, your hair can give clues to some potential health issues. If you don’t know, read on to know all about it!

Hair problems are experienced by each one of us, but most of us are able to cure them with little care. However, if your hair is not getting better, it isn’t a good sign for your health.

According to Dr Rinky Kapoor, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Dermato-Surgeon, The Esthetic Clinics, hair health and shine reflects the degree of care you are giving them. The healthier you are from inside, the more lustrous and bouncy your hair is. Therefore, it goes without saying that the condition of hair indicates the health of the body.

She adds, “If you have been noticing excessive hair fall, dry or brittle hair, or split ends, it is time and it is an indication that your body is trying to tell you something and there is something wrong going on with you internally.”

Here are some common health problems that your hair might indicate:

1. Dry and brittle hair

Having dry and brittle hair can be because of a lack of nourishment. However, when it comes to your health, these can be caused because of high blood pressure, fatigue, hormonal changes, protein deficiencies, lack of vitamin A and zinc, and essential fatty acids.

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2. Hair loss

If you are suffering from hair fall, it is likely that you may have PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome). Apart from this, Dr Kapoor says, “Hair loss can be because of many factors. The most important of them is lack of protein that is essential for hair growth, then it can be because of stress and/or a thyroid problem, it can be because of iron deficiency or anaemia.”

3. Split ends

Having weak hair or split ends is an indication that your body is dehydrated and you need to intake more water. Dehydration can also cause hair to get dry and brittle. Along with this, split ends can also indicate the deficiencies of vitamin B6, magnesium, and zinc. So, keep a check on your diet.

4. Premature greying

Dr Kapoor says, “Premature greying is a result of stress hormone issues, deficiencies of copper or folic acid, and deficiencies of B vitamins.” Premature greying can also be genetic because of smoking. To get rid of it, try to eat a more nutritious diet that includes more antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals, and quit smoking.

5. Weak, fine hair

If you have been noticing a change in the texture of your hair, it can be because of hypertension, prolonged exposure to sun or chlorine heart disease, deficiency of vitamin A, etc.

6. Oily, greasy and limp less hair

“These are mainly caused because of the deficiencies of zinc, vitamin C, Folic acid, vitamin B6,” says Dr Kapoor.

If anything is wrong with one’s body, one of the first places where it gets reflected is hair. Therefore, the hair health becomes a good barometer for measuring your body’s health. Keep a close eye on hair health and consult your trichologist as soon as possible if anything is wrong.