5 Habits For Thick, Healthy Hair (using science)

Summary

In this video, Dr. FA, a London-based doctor passionate about women's health, shares a science-backed routine for healthy hair growth. She explains the stages of the hair growth cycle and the common causes of hair loss, such as hormonal imbalances and deficiencies. Dr. FA introduces her 'HEAD' formula for healthy hair, covering hormones, nutrition, active ingredients, daily habits, and scalp care. She discusses effective treatments, including minoxidil and peptides, while also addressing common mistakes like air drying and tight hairstyles. The video ends with a special offer for a hair health solution.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understanding hair growth: Hair grows in cycles with four phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (rest), and exogen (shedding).
• 😀 Genetics play a key role: If your mom couldn’t grow her hair past a certain length, chances are you might face the same challenge.
• 😀 Stress and hormones impact hair: High cortisol and excess testosterone (like in PCOS) can affect hair growth, leading to thinning and shedding.
• 😀 Hair health is more than products: Addressing root causes like hormone imbalances, diet, and daily habits is crucial for promoting hair growth.
• 😀 The 'HEADS' formula: This stands for Hormones, Eats, Active Ingredients, Daily Routine, and Scalp care, which are all key to hair health.
• 😀 Nutritional deficiencies can affect hair: Common deficiencies, such as iron, vitamin D, and B vitamins, can lead to hair thinning and loss.
• 😀 Biotin myths: Despite being marketed widely for hair health, biotin supplementation is not necessary for most people and can interfere with some blood tests.
• 😀 Effective treatments: Minoxidil (a topical solution) and finasteride (oral treatment) can help promote hair growth by improving blood flow and reducing DHT.
• 😀 Caffeine's benefits: Caffeine can stimulate hair follicles and promote growth, while also possibly blocking DHT, making it useful for people with PCOS.
• 😀 Healthy scalp habits: Regular washing with the right ingredients (like ketoconazole) and avoiding air drying can improve scalp health and prevent thinning.

Q & A

What is the primary cause of hair loss, according to the video?

Hair loss typically occurs when there's a disruption to the normal hair growth cycle, either through premature transition from the growth phase to the resting phase or a prolonged resting phase where hair does not grow or shed properly.

How does genetics influence hair growth, and can it be changed?

Genetics plays a key role in determining how long hair can grow, as seen with the active growth phase (anagen). However, while genetics cannot be changed, other factors like hormones, diet, and lifestyle can influence hair growth potential.

What is 'the head's formula for healthy hair'?

The 'head's formula' for healthy hair is a multi-system approach involving: H for hormones (addressing imbalances), E for eats (ensuring proper nutrition), A for active ingredients (using research-backed hair products), D for daily routine (healthy hair habits), and S for scalp (proper scalp care).

How does stress affect hair growth?

Increased cortisol, the stress hormone, can negatively impact hair growth, potentially causing hair thinning and loss. Stress management is crucial for maintaining healthy hair.

What hormone is linked to hair loss, and how does it contribute?

The hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is derived from testosterone, is linked to androgenic alopecia (common hair loss). Excess testosterone, as seen in conditions like PCOS, can lead to hair thinning, especially around the temples.

What is the importance of iron and vitamin D for hair health?

Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency linked to increased hair shedding. Vitamin D plays an important role in strengthening hair follicles, and its deficiency can lead to hair loss, especially in conditions like alopecia areata.

Why is biotin supplementation not recommended for hair loss?

Biotin is often marketed as a solution for hair loss, but deficiencies are rare. Excessive biotin can interfere with certain blood tests, such as those for heart attacks and thyroid function, and there is no strong evidence supporting its role in promoting hair growth.

How does minoxidil work to stimulate hair growth?

Minoxidil works by widening blood vessels around the hair follicle, improving blood flow and providing more nutrition to the hair root. It has been shown to shift hair follicles into the growing phase and prolong the growth phase, although consistent use is required for continued effectiveness.

What role do peptides and caffeine play in hair growth?

Peptides promote hair growth by encouraging blood flow to the follicles, increasing hair density, and reducing resting periods. Caffeine, found in shampoos, can similarly increase blood flow to the scalp and may also have DHT-blocking properties, aiding in hair growth.

What are the common mistakes people make that affect hair health?

Common mistakes include air drying hair (which causes more breakage), tight hairstyles (leading to scalp tension and hair breakage), excessive heat styling, over-coloring hair, and not washing hair enough to maintain a healthy scalp.