Hair problems and their solutions

Drying, styling, using a straightening iron, dyeing and much more is something that modern women have to experience every day. This lifestyle cannot but affect the curls, which do not react in the best way. They become thinner and become porous, fluffy, split ends. Solving these problems is not easy, but it is possible and it is quite possible to do it at home. We will tell you how to successfully resolve the problems that have arisen in this article.

Split ends

Split ends of hair are probably the most common problem of modern women. Almost every second person suffers from this, and the only sure way out seems to be regular haircuts. However, this is a solution only for those who initially do not want to grow long curls.

It has been noticed that those with short hair are much less likely to suffer from the problem of split ends, which is understandable. The fact is that once the hair reaches a length of 30 cm, it is very difficult for natural lubricant to reach the ends, causing them to become dry, brittle and split. Therefore, if you want to grow long curls, you will have to put in a lot of effort to ensure that your hair is not only long, but also healthy.

There are many reasons why hair can begin to split, the main ones are:

• Poor water quality. The water may be too hard and too chlorinated. Try to soften the water before washing your hair; even simple boiling can significantly affect the hardness.
• Coloring, perm, the use of a straightening iron, especially if it is used frequently, inevitably leads to split ends of the hair. This category also includes the use of a hair dryer, hot rollers, and everything in the same spirit.
• Too rough treatment of hair. How many times can you see when you start combing your hair immediately after washing - this is very harmful. And many people also comb dry hair incorrectly. Under no circumstances should you pull them, even if the hairs are very tangled; comb them gradually, starting from the very ends, gradually moving to the top. Wet hair cannot yet be combed because the steamed pores of the scalp can easily “release” the hair follicle with careless movement, and this is fraught with unnecessary hair loss.
• Bad comb. Few people attach importance to the choice of such a trivial device as a comb, but it directly affects the health of the hair. While one will tear the hairs, the other will gently comb them. Remember: torn hair = split ends.
• Bad hair accessories. Elastic bands that are too tight, metal clips, hairpins and bobby pins - they all pinch the hair and prevent nutrients from being evenly distributed throughout the hair. Of course, it will not be possible to abandon them completely, but it is still possible to reduce their use to a minimum.
• Excess sun. Especially if salty sea water is added to this, this is stressful for the hair, since both of them dry out the hair very much. When swimming in the sea, try to pin up your hair, and after swimming, rinse your curls. When walking in the sun, do not neglect protective hats. There are special products that protect hair from the harmful effects of sunlight. They are sold in the form of lotions, balms and sprays, depending on your convenience.
• Poor quality hair care products. Few girls can say with confidence what type of hair she has, and how can she choose quality products? If your hair is oily, washing it with shampoo for dry hair will definitely not have a positive effect on the quality of your curls. If you find it difficult to decide on your hair, seek help from a specialist who will recommend the brand and set of products most suitable for your hair type.
• Diet. A lack of vitamins directly affects the skin, nails and hair. In this case, no advanced remedy will help, you just need to change your eating habits. To avoid prolonging the problem further, start by at least taking quality multivitamins.
• Insufficient care. Even if from birth your hair is the envy of everyone, this is not a reason to relax. Regular masks and rinsing with healing decoctions are simply necessary in order to restore and preserve the beauty of curls. It is better if masks are made at home from natural products and on a regular basis.

Dry hair

It’s not difficult to understand that your hair has become dry. The curls lose their shine, become dull; if you look closely, you will notice that their length ends at different heights, and the hair itself has begun to look more like straw. There are many reasons why hair can become dry, including harmless and very serious ones. For example, anemia, in which there is a lack of iron in the body, leads to disruption of blood flow to the dermis of the head and the follicles stop receiving nutrients, which can lead to changes in the structure of the hair.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which prevent the absorption of vitamins and beneficial microelements, and other pathologies that give a similar effect - this also leads to hair depletion. Diseases of the lungs and kidneys of a chronic nature also affect the health of the hair, but in addition to this, the skin and nails begin to suffer. Taking this into account, if you notice changes in the structure of your hair, which is reflected in its dryness, it would be a good idea to undergo diagnostics in order to rule out this kind of disease.

However, according to trichologists, in every second case the cause of dry hair is improper care. First, it’s worth dispelling the myth that oily hair cannot be dry - it can, and how. Hair becomes dry due to lack of moisture. And if you consider with what ardent desire many owners try to degrease their curls, it is not at all surprising that over time they become dry and lifeless.

Regular drying and the use of thermal appliances dry out the hair very much. Therefore, for the benefit of hair health, it is better if you keep their use to a minimum and use it only when absolutely necessary. During the cold season, be sure to hide your hair in hats. Control what you eat, try to eat foods that are rich in vitamins. Try to be less nervous, maintain optimal air humidity in the room, wash your hair with soft water and regularly rinse it with healing infusions. Don't neglect homemade moisturizing hair masks. Remember, dry hair from birth is only 3% of all cases; otherwise, it is an acquired problem that can and should be dealt with.

Porous hair

Each hair is covered with a protective film called cuticle. It consists of scales that fit tightly to each other. If everything is fine and the cuticle is healthy, the hairs are smooth, beautiful and shiny. The damaged cuticle is the unfolded ends of the scales; under a hair microscope, it resembles empty cedar cones. The pores of such hair are constantly open, moisture, dust, dirt inevitably get into them, residues of styling products, etc. remain there. Porous hair can be “gifted” from birth, and can also be an acquired “wealth”. The first does not need explanation, and the second is developed over time using such platitudes as:

• Constant use of hot air from a hair dryer. If it is difficult for you to refuse to use this device, then try to dry your curls with cold and, in extreme cases, warm air.
• Completely dry hair. Never blow dry your hair completely; always leave it slightly damp. Ideally, dry your hair only at the roots, leaving the ends damp, so that it does not lose its life-giving moisture.
• Washing your hair with hard water and using hot water. It will be very good if the water for washing your hair is at least pre-boiled. As for the temperature, it should be as close as possible to body temperature.
• Using harsh shampoos. Choose products that are compatible with your hair.
• Temperature changes, salty sea water, rays of the scorching sun.
• Using a straightening iron and other thermal styling devices. Their use should be kept to a minimum, and if necessary, special protective equipment should be used.

In some cases, the cause of porosity must be sought in the state of health, namely in the hormonal background. Poor quality care and frequent use of certain hair oils also have a negative impact on the hair. To eliminate porosity, you need to contact a specialist who will identify your hair type and tell you how to properly care for it.

Congenital porosity is almost impossible to remove, but you can make it all less noticeable by using the same techniques as for an acquired problem.

Brittle hair

The reasons why hair can become brittle can be divided into two groups: internal and external.

Internal reasons are:

• constant stress and psychological disorders;
• bad habits;
• lack of vitamins in the body;
• chronic diseases of internal organs.

All this directly affects the condition of the hair not in the best way. The cells do not receive nutrition, experience oxygen starvation and the hair begins to suffer. If there are diseases of the internal organs, the body simply cannot release enough vitamins to the hair, because it needs to deal with a more important problem.

If we talk about external factors, this number includes:

• using combs with metal teeth;
• use of cheap low-quality shampoos;
• washing hair with hot water;
• prolonged exposure of hair to the sun;
• sudden temperature changes.

You can make your hair brittle in a month or two, but it will take a long time to get rid of the problem. It is best to begin treatment by reviewing your diet. Giving up junk food and switching to healthy foods will do the trick. Make sure your diet contains foods that are rich in vitamins A, B, C and E. For healthy hair, it is useful to eat foods enriched with selenium, magnesium and zinc. If you can’t eat well, take at least a course of high-quality multivitamins.

Drink more water. Remember, the minimum for you is (your weight) * 0.03. Why should there be water? Yes, because most drinks, including tea and coffee, are diuretics and instead of feeding the body with moisture, they remove it. Dye your hair only with high-quality products - even if they are more expensive, otherwise there will be no effect from the treatment. The same can be said for hair care products.

Hair becomes electrified

The electrification of hair is directly related to static electricity, which is often formed as a result of friction. The process of accumulation of this static voltage occurs imperceptibly, but at certain moments a lot of it accumulates. Dry air in the room and contact of hair with synthetic materials can be provocateurs. This is the reason for the phenomenon that in winter, hair becomes electrified much more often than in summer - people are forced to wear hats and warm clothes, which are often made of synthetics, and stay in heated rooms where the air is dried with hot radiators. In general, hair that tends to be dry is very often electrified - it is close to porous, so static electricity accumulates in large quantities in open pores.

To effectively deal with the problem of electrified hair, we offer you some useful tips:

• Make sure that the air in the room always has sufficient humidity; if necessary, special devices will come to the rescue.
• Prefer natural materials to synthetic clothing.
• Provide your hair with proper care that matches its type.
• Try not to comb your hair too often or for long periods of time.
• Plastic and metal combs contribute to the appearance of static electricity, so it is better to replace such specimens with natural material, such as wood. But it is worth remembering that wooden combs need to be replaced monthly.
• It is better to dry your hair with a hairdryer that has an air ionization function, or use cold air.
• Before combing, it is helpful to apply a little oil, such as lavender or rose, to the comb.
• Wet the comb in water, then shake off excess moisture and comb your hair.
• Every time after washing, rinse your hair with water acidified with lemon juice.

Hair is frizzy

Very often, the cause of fluffy hair is heredity.  However, you need to know that the appearance of hair that is fluffy from birth is seriously different from the acquired type. In the first case, they look more attractive, they are shiny. In acquired cases, the appearance of the hair may not be the best. If your hair suddenly suddenly begins to cause discomfort due to its condition, this may indicate:

• insufficient moisture;
• poor nutrition;
• dry indoor air;
• vitamin deficiency;
• influence of temperature changes;
• presence of static electricity;
• contact with synthetics.

It is good to use professional cosmetics in the treatment of fluffy hair. These can be various gels, leave-in balms, serums, fluids, etc. With their help, you can protect your curls from the harmful effects of the environment. When choosing cosmetics, you need to be careful and not buy products aimed at adding volume to your hair.

Styling products should have a weighting and smoothing effect - there are many options from different manufacturers. Similar weight-bearing procedures can be done at home, the same masks. To avoid excessive frizz, owners of fine hair can use beneficial jojoba oil. Just take some of the mixture, rub between your palms and pat your hair dry. Since in most cases dry hair frizzes, you need to carefully monitor its moisture and try to deal with activities that contribute to drying out as little as possible, and this is: curling, dyeing, hot air drying.

Hair loss

If previous situations were more of an aesthetic problem that could spoil the mood, then hair loss often becomes a cause of panic. It is unlikely that any woman wants to remain bald. Hair tends to renew itself, new ones replace the old ones, so every day we lose a certain amount of hair, which is considered a normal process.

If before this the causes of hair problems lay on the surface, here in most cases everything comes from health problems. This problem can happen due to:

• lack of vitamins;
• hormonal imbalance;
• poor nutrition;
• poisoning;
• diseases of internal organs.

Often hair loss recorded in the off-season, for example in winter-spring, spring-summer, summer-autumn. If the immune system is lame, then any change in the body, and during these periods the body is rebuilt and it may lack vitamins and microelements, can result in hair loss.

Such symptoms occur in some diseases, one of them is alopecia. To identify the cause of hair loss, you need to contact a professional, in this case a trichologist, who will find the problem and fix it will become much easier. In the meantime, to preserve your curls, you can only use effective methods to stop hair loss.

• Onion juice certainly comes first in this fight. Yes, the smell is unpleasant, yes, the process itself does not bring pleasure - but a mask of onion juice helps stop heavy hair loss after the first time, and after five sessions the hair loss will stop altogether, but the result requires consolidation. Simply grate the onion, squeeze out the juice through cheesecloth and rub it into your scalp. Wrap it in plastic and leave it like that for about two hours.
• Half an hour before washing your hair, rub a mixture made from castor oil and alcohol, taken in equal proportions, into the roots of your hair.
• Chop a small hot pepper and pour half a glass of vodka over it. Seal tightly and place in a dark place for a couple of weeks. The finished tincture is very easy to use; add it in small quantities to masks, shampoos and balms. Its use in its pure form is not recommended.

Hair becomes very oily

Oily hair is one of the hair types, but in this case we are not talking about it. If the hair itself is oily, but the need to wash it occurs every two to three days, this is not a problem, but the norm. The problem is when the oil content is so strong that hair washed in the morning looks greasy by the evening, as if it had not been washed for a week.

There are several reasons for excess fat and they are all very common. Firstly, these are problems or features of hormonal levels. During puberty, for example, when there is a surge in hormones, once normal hair becomes very oily. In this case, you can simply wait until all the mechanisms are adjusted and everything returns to normal.  Increased oiliness in hair may be due to improper care of hair. The fat that is formed during the life of the glands is a kind of hair protection. Frequent washing, for example, deprives the hair of this protective film and the glands, trying to protect the hair, begin to secrete even more oil. Another option for improper care is the frequent use of oils, which are also of the wrong type.

Poor nutrition, namely excess amounts of spicy, salty, fatty and fried foods in the diet, alcohol, etc. - all this stimulates the sebaceous glands, which begin to work more actively. In this case, not only the hair suffers, but also the skin, on which constant rashes occur.

Analyze exactly when your hair began to become very oily. If no changes in diet have occurred, but your hair has begun to look worse, then problems need to be looked for in your health. Contact a specialist, undergo an examination and identify the cause of the disease, after which you can begin effective treatment.

Dandruff on hair

Hair dandruff is another common problem. It can appear for a variety of reasons:

• hypothermia when a hat is neglected in winter;
• physical and mental stress;
• frequent use of scalp medications that dry out the dermis;
• infection on the scalp;
• hormonal imbalance;
• metabolic disorders;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine diseases;
• violation of hygiene rules.

Dandruff can appear suddenly and the reason for this can be the simplest change of shampoo. There are often cases when the provocateur of the disease is the composition of the detergent, for example, the presence of SLS. This is a very insidious abbreviation that few people pay attention to. You can wash your hair with such shampoos for the time being, but sooner or later the skin begins to react to it with dandruff. Try changing bussulfate shampoo. Yes, at first it may be unusual to not have an abundance of foam, but over time it will go away, just like dandruff.

Trichologists equate the phenomenon of dandruff with a scalp disease and give their patients recommendations and prescribe comprehensive treatment. Seborrhea has several types and each has its own approach, so in order for the treatment to be productive, you need to contact a specialist, since self-treatment often gives only a temporary effect.

Thin hair

Thin hair is often caused by hereditary factors. However, the thickness of the hair also depends on many features: race, age, natural color, etc. Newborns have the thinnest hair, while Africans and Asians have the thickest hair. Europeans, alas, have the thinnest hair of all races. If we talk about color, then blondes are considered thin-haired, brunettes are considered medium-haired, and brown-haired are considered thick-haired. Throughout life, the structure and thickness of hair can change depending on how it is cared for.

Hair becomes thin from the use of straightening irons, perms, hair dryers, and after frequent coloring. Poor nutrition, constant overwork, stress, lack of vitamins, disorders of internal systems, hormonal disruptions and changes - all this and not only causes thinning hair.

It’s worth saying right away that naturally thin hair is practically not amenable to “treatment,” but you can try to artificially make it thicker. However, this will be a short-term effect, to prolong which you need to constantly work. The simplest henna thickens hair well. If you don't want to dye your hair, you can use the colorless version of the product. Various long-term masks are made with it, but the effect will be noticeable almost immediately. It is worth keeping in mind that frequent use of henna in hair care can cause another problem - dryness. Therefore, always remember moderation.

If your hair has become thin throughout your life, then you need to take multi-faceted measures, from establishing proper nutrition to proper care. Try to saturate your diet with foods that are rich in vitamins A, E, B, C, P and H, hair minerals: sulfur, zinc, iron, silicon, calcium. Regularly make health masks that will help restore the hair structure and return it to its former health.