You wake up for another work day, slamming the alarm clock one, two (or four) times.
On your way to the bathroom, you catch a look in the mirror and notice your hair is changing.
Maybe it’s thinning, perhaps there are more split ends?
Whatever the case may be, it has definitely lost its ‘umph’!
What gives, hair?
Well, there could be a few culprits at work.
First, it’s possible that you’re using the wrong hair products.
You could have excess hairspray, gel, and all kinds of gunk stuck to your strands. If you have dry or curly hair, you may be shampooing too often and may want to consider natural deep conditioning treatments.
One of my favourite oil treatments for healthy hair is…
Avocado with a few tablespoons of raw coconut oil and 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil.
Massage this combination into your hair spending a little extra time stimulating your scalp. Wrap it up and let it sit for twenty minutes (or more).
When the treatment is complete, shampoo well.
If your hair is fine, you may need to shampoo twice to get all the oil out.
Fluctuating hormones can cause changes too.
It’s possible that your hair lacks volume because of your hormones. If this is the case, consider taking hormone balancing supplements as recommended by your Naturopathic Doctor.
If bad hair days don’t seem to be connected to your hormones, you may have copper pipes in your house.
Copper can suck moisture from your hair and cause split ends. If you dye your hair, the effects of copper could be even more dramatic.
Consider installing a water filter to reduce exposure to copper.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, hair loss in both men and women is linked to Kidney ‘Qi’ (also known as energy) deficiency. Although Kidney Qi declines as we age, I am seeing more cases in younger individuals.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can treat kidney qi deficiency, and reduce hair loss and premature greying.
So what should you do about hair loss, premature greying, and bad hair days?
Firstly, I suggest ditching products that are full of harsh chemicals. Stay away from sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), DEA and parabens.
Look for natural, organic alternatives that do not contain artificial fragrances, colours, and chemical preservatives.
For healthy hair, you want to nourish hair follicles and take steps to encourage healing, stimulate healthy hair growth, and reverse any damage that’s already been done.
It’s important to speak to your Naturopathic Doctor and identify the underlying root cause of hair issues. Although certain supplements may help keep hair healthy, if there’s a more serious issue, you want to identify and treat it as early as possible.
May your bad hair days be behind you!
Dr. Sara has appeared on multiple radio shows/podcasts, the W Network, Breakfast Television and CP24. For almost 5 years, she worked as the National Spokesperson for a well-known digestive wellness brand, educating across the globe on gut health. Dr. Sara has been named a rising star in Canada receiving the Generation Next award for her outstanding contribution to shaping the future of Canada’s grocery industry. She frequently contributes to large publications and has been published in Best Health Magazine, The Globe and Mail, Sweat Equity, Grocery Business, Inside Fitness, Canadian Living, Elevate, HELLO, and ELLE Canada.
Dr. Sara’s approach to healthcare is not as easy as taking a pill. The “quick-fix” approach is not one she subscribes to. While there’s a pill for just about everything, rarely do prescription drugs stop the course of disease - they merely mask symptoms. Dr. Sara believes true health requires a commitment from both the doctor and the patient.
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