Hair Care

The texture, pattern, density and natural colour of you hair is completely out of your control.  That is to say, it depends on heredity, and no amount of wishing for straight hair or blond locks can change it (unless you resort to the bottle or the hairdresser).

However, the look and condition of your hair lies very much in your own hands since it is largely affected by your general health, hair hygiene, choice of hair products (shampoos, conditioners, mousses etc.) and grooming equipment (combs, brushes, curling irons, hair dryers, etc).  Almost any illness or emotional stress can results in lifeless, dull hair and so it is true to say that healthy hair reflects a healthy body and mind.

On average, hair grows at a rate of about ½in (13mm) a month.  Inexplicably, it grows more quickly at night than during the day and faster in summer than in winter. It is the hair’s thin coating of sebum (a natural oil secreted by the scalp’s sebaceous glands) that keeps it looking supple and shiny, so caring for your scalp is just as important as looking after the hair itself.

If you have no obvious hair problems such as dandruff or any form of alopecia, healthy hair can be maintained by washing hair and scalp regularly and eating an adequate, balance diet.  There are no hard and fast rules as to how frequently hair should be washed – if your hair is particularly greasy, it could be as often as every day, in which case a mild or “frequent use” shampoo should be used.  Those with dry hair should avoid over-washing and could benefit from professional treatment.

In our attempts to improve one of our most striking assets, we can sometimes do our hair more harm than good.  Dyeing, bleaching, relaxing, and perming can all damage the hair, but even using such apparently innocuous items as plastic brushes, metal combs, and rollers can have a detrimental effect.  Similarly, strong sunshine, sea water and chlorinated swimming pools can all dry the hair and scalp, so take preventative measures such as wearing a swimming cap, and protecting your hair with a hat in the strong sunshine.

To prevent tearing the hair, which leads to split ends, avoid using sharp combs or brushes, and comb it gently when it’s wet.  Wherever possible, towel dry; If you use a hair dryer, keep it at least 6in (15cm) from your head and on a medium rather than a high setting.  In fact, hair loss is a process that continues unremarked throughout out lives when the old hair drops out to make way for new growth (a healthy adult normally sheds between 50 and 100 hairs each day).  However, it can become more apparent at certain times – in the case of women due to hormonal changes after childbirth and during menopause, and, irrespective of sex, after taking some drugs for the treatment of cancer.

THE HALE APPROACH

Orthodox treatment with regard to the care of the hair and scalp is negligible.  Complementary approaches are far superior and can be used as first-line treatment.  However, sudden hair loss may be associated with underlying medical conditions that are perhaps best dealt with by a physician.  Ask the opinion of your complementary practitioner.

The Hale Clinic approach to hair care looks not only at the external care of the hair, but also at a person’s health inside the body, which can have a great bearing on the creation of a healthy head of hair.  “Trichology treats both scalp and hair, cosmetically and at a deeper level.  Nutrition plays a vital part in creating good-quality hair.  Ayurveda and aromatherapy use treatments which treat the hair externally and internally.  For specific hair problems such as hair loss, homeopathy can be effective.  In certain cases, when a person’s mental state has resulted in problems with the hair (because of stress or shock, perhaps), hypnotherapy and healing can be of great assistance.

AROMATHERAPY

The vitality of our hair seems to respond well to the stimulating effects on the hair follicles of an aromatherapy head massage.  This also relaxes the nervous system, which is of great benefit if lacklustre hair can be attributed to stress and anxiety.  A course of treatment may take four to six sessions, supplemented by application of oils at home.  After a one and a half hour initial consultation to assess history, duration and triggers to hair loss or condition, a clinical aromatherapist may suggest changes in diet, and recommend vitamins, minerals, phytotherapy, or herbs and essential oils; this may be followed by a body and head or just a head massage (depending on hair and scalp condition).

Stress hair loss improves quickly in terms of the quantity of hair, and condition is always improved as a result of this treatment, claims one aromatherapist.  As an illustration, she tells of a 30 year old woman who regularly lost her hair on one side of her head due to stress.  “Aromatherapy treatment reduced her reaction to stress and the quality of regrowth was good and thick”.

Rosemary, lemon and scots pine are essential oils which stimulate the circulation in the scalp and are often appropriate for hair care.   More about aromatherapy...

TRICHOLOGY

A trichologist may see patients with scalp and hair problems ranging from various scaling, oily and allergic reactions to many types of hair loss condition, some diffuse, some patchy as in alopecia areata.  Most of these reflect metabolic upsets.  Any scalp problems will be reflected in the hair.  Damaged hair resulting in poor hair conditions is a key problem area.  Consequently, no two patients’ cases will be the same, and no one type of product routine can be the answer. Often a combination of treatments is needed.

Hair damage, excess hair loss or scalp changes all demand careful assessment of underlying causes.  Once these have been determined, an individual course of action can be recommended.

A minimum of 8-16 sessions of 50 minutes each taken over a three month period (ideally weekly) should be expected.  In addition, topical preparations for both scalp and hair are recommended for home use to support clinic treatment.  Generally, results start to show during the first few weeks.  Response will be dictated by the severity and duration of a problem, but normally over two to three months the improved direction gains momentum.  However, trichologists warn that patients must be prepared to persist with product routines.

A trichologist may work in conjunction with other therapists, depending on any underlying problems that may be determined.   More about trichology...

AYURVEDA

Using Ayurvedic herbal medicine, one Hale practitioner was able to halt the premature greying and hair fall of a 30-year old male patient.  This just one example of the good results enjoyed by hair care patients using this ancient Indian therapy.

The special oil drip shiro dhara, in which warm oil is dripped on to the forehead and massaged into the scalp, is part of scalp therapy.  A session of consultation and treatment would probably also involve the application of herbal paste, advice on diet (e.g. avoid acidic food) and yoga exercise.  After several of these sessions spread over a two to three month period, your hair should be back to its normal condition.  One of the beauties of this holistic therapy is that it is said to be suitable for people of all ages and everyone can benefit.  More about ayurveda...

NUTRITION

Hair condition is a good indicator of the state of health as it is often an external reflection of the internal condition of the spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and hormones.  Fortunately, many cases respond to improved nutrition.

The nutritionist will take a case history, making special note of the hair problems.  Holistic treatment with nutrition aims to improve overall health, especially strengthening the immune system.  If the malfunction causing the hair problem is corrected, two outcomes are likely: halting the progression of hair deterioration or improving the overall state of the hair, which may include regrowth and improved condition.  More about nutrition...

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathy is best suited to treating hair problems with a specific cause. For example, if a woman going through the menopause starts to lose her hair or it doesn’t look as good as usual, silica with evening primrose oil capsules may be suggested.  For premature baldness or greying, lycopodium may be suitable.  For hair loss due to shock, aconite works well. More about homeopathy...

SUPPORTIVE TREATMENTS

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used successfully to treat hair and scalp problems.  A diagnosis is made to ascertain whether the problem is caused by deficiencies or energy blockages, and insertion points are established, mainly on the head.

Healing/Hypnotherapy

“Channelling universal energies into the mind, body and soul of a client” is claimed to produce good results in the treatment of hair problems.  Both healing and hypnotherapy are particularly appropriate in conjunction with other therapies when poor hair condition is a result of shock or stress.

SELF-CARE

Aromatherapy and nutritional advice can all be followed at home after the initial treatment.

Dandruff

Contrary to workplace taunts, dandruff has nothing whatsoever to do with cleanliness or how often you wash your hair.  It is a common and harmless condition in which dead skin cells are shed from the scalp, often producing the characteristic white specks or flakes seen on the collar and shoulders of clothes or in the hair.  Dandruff can cause great embarrassment but with vigilance it can be controlled, although sadly it is rarely cured.

Although it is possible to treat dandruff, it is far better to take advice on improving your lifestyle and diet, which may be causing the complaint.  If you have a tendency to dandruff, a poor diet or stressed living pattern is a good reason for the problem to recur.

Anti-dandruff shampoos should not be used indiscriminately, since they can over stimulate the activity of the oil glands, so you end up swapping one problem for another.  Instead, try using a neutral, non-scented, low pH shampoo that is less likely to disturb or aggravate the problem, and keep other styling products right away from the scalp.

If these measures do not clear up the dandruff, or if it recurs repeatedly, take advice from a trichologist or dermatologist.