Hair Problems

The desire for beautiful hair has long been a part of human culture, as it is a symbol of strength and seductiveness - and so we are distressed when it looks lifeless, and feel devastated when we begin to lose it.

Our hair is a living substance, and consequently each hair has its own life cycle of birth, growth, decline, and fall.

- We have on average 200,000 hairs, a quantity that is regulated by the influence of male hormones

- We lose approximately 50 hairs per day, which is perfectly normal, although of course this loss must be replaced by an equal regrowth

- If the lost hair is not replaced, we develop baldness, a condition that affects, to a greater or lesser degree, forty per cent of men and eight per cent of women

- In order to avoid or at least delay the onset of baldness, hair roots must receive a good supply of blood, nutrients, and oxygen

- A scalp that is too oily will stifle the hair and weaken it

- A dry scalp means that the hair receives too little sebum, making it lifeless and liable to break

Important tips

• Contrary to popular belief, even fine hair needs to be washed often - but only with gentle, low-foaming shampoo (even baby shampoo is not necessarily gentle on the hair, although it does not sting if it gets in your eyes)
• Try not to use a large quantity of shampoo, or rub it into your scalp Rinse thoroughly as soon as possible
• Avoid using very hot water, which damages the hair
• Try to leave your hair to dry naturally whenever possible. If you need to use a hairdryer, hold it six inches away from your head
• Avoid brushing your hair too vigorously, as this encourages dandruff. Your brush should be made of silk fibres and should be neither too inflexible nor too hard
• If you swim in the sea, rinse your hair afterwards in water to which vinegar or lemon juice has been added

Dietary advice for healthy hair

• Be careful not to eat too much sugar in any form
• Limit your intake of dairy products, especially of whole, unskimmed milk
• Stay away from smoked or cured meats and fast food
• Tinned foods should be avoided if possible
• Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, and cereals +++
• Take one tablespoonful of olive oil or borage oil per day

Vitamins for your hair

The best vitamins for healthy hair are vitamins B5 and H, which are mostly to be found in cereals, royal jelly, wheat­germ, green vegetables, fruit, brewer's yeast, milk, wholemeal bread, and meat (especially offal).

• You could also try Maxi-Hair@ (Lamberts), which contains vitamins A, C, D, E and all the B group as well as trace elements:
  - Sold in containers of 60 tablets
  - One tablet to be taken daily
• Alternatively you could take cheveux plus (Arkopharma) which contains a combination of vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, biotin, zinc, nettle, cysteine and methionine to help support hair growth:
  - Available in containers of 75 capsules
  - Take 3 capsules per day for 15 days, then 2 capsules per day as maintenance. Do for 3 months

There is no particular advantage in taking these vitamins via intramuscular injection, as this works no better than taking the tablets.

Oligotherapy

Silica and sulphur

These trace elements are usually found in the diet, which should be varied and of high quality. In cases of deficiency, they can be given as medicinal supplements.

Dietary sources of silica

plants in general are rich in silica, but modern eating habits mean that we are not getting as much of it as we used to. It is most plentiful in the outer layers of vegetables and cereals (except for maize and rye), citrus fruits, beer, mushrooms, olives, radishes, and bran ++

Dietary sources of sulphur

Sulphur is found primarily in sulphurated amino acids, and thus mostly in protein. It is plentiful in eggs (165mg of sulphur per 100g of egg yolk), meat, fish, and seafood, as well as in garlic, onions, broccoli, cabbage, and dried beans.

Sulphur and silica treatment: these are available in various brands and forms such as: Organic Minerals (Colloidals) which contains 70+ trace minerals:
- Available in 946ml bottles
- Take 1 -3 caps just before breakfast and/or evening meal
- Children 1 teaspoon daily for each 20lbs of body weight

Or Maximol (Ionized colloidals):

- Available in 500ml bottles
- Take 1/2 capful once or twice daily on an empty stomach

Sulphurated amino acids

These slow down the rate of hair loss, and contribute to more beautiful hair.

• You could try Solgar@ Skin, Nails and Hair formula, which contains MSM, vitamin C, lysine and silicon:
  - Available in containers of 60 tablets
  - Two tablets, to be taken daily with meals

Homeopathy

It is important to select the constitutional remedy appropriate for you, in consultation with a professional homeopath. Some likely choices are Arsenicum album, Sulfur, or Thuja.

Herbal remedies

Burdock and henna - which is widely used in Africa to colour the hair, prevent it from becoming too oily, and give it volume.

- Obtain a 30ml bottle of mother tincture of burdock from your herbalist Take twenty-five drops in a little water, twice a day for several days

• Ask your herbalist to make up a 60ml bottle of burdock in a whole fresh-plant suspension (this formulation's cold stabilization process restores the full natural therapeutic effect of the plant). Take half a teaspoonful in a little water twice a day. This treatment is not for children under 15 years of age

Borage oil is very beneficial for the skin and hair

- You can buy this remedy in capsule form from your herbalist. Take two capsules per day for several weeks

Topical application: one capsule opened up and applied directly to the scalp may reinforce the oral treatment

• You could also try 'Health from the Sun' Borage oil; containing 300mg of borage oil:
  - Available in containers of 30 capsules
  - Take 1 capsule daily
• Alternatively you can take Lamberts@ High GLA which contains 220mg of gamma-linoleic acid, derived from 1,000mg of borage oil:
  - Available in containers of 90 capsules
  - Take 1 capsule daily.