LIMESTONE: BAD FOR OUR HAIR?

Hard water would have harmful effects on our scalp. But up to what point?

Many things like hard water can affect the quality of our hair fiber.

The water we use for our daily needs concentrates a certain amount of lime. Depending on the quantity, the hardness of the water changes: soft water contains little lime while hard water has a lot more.

But what exactly is limestone?

Limestone is a set of alkaline salts composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO 3 ). Its formation results from an accumulation of different oceanic sources over several million years.

Is limestone an enemy for our hair?

Hard water poses several inconveniences on the capillary level. Indeed, the lime deposit suffocates the hair fiber and prevents the cuticle from reflecting light. As a result, the hair becomes coarse and dull. In the short term, the scales of our hair suffer damage from the microcrystals of limestone that get stuck between them. The lengths then become brittle.

How to protect our hair from lime?

Various solutions exist to limit the effects of lime on the hair.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of existing solutions:

• Install an anti-limescale filter: easy to use; it neutralizes limescale before it settles on our hair.
• Use spring water (bottled) with each rinse.

My hair is already damaged by limestone; how to cure it?

It is crucial to moisturize your hair with a conditioner, a mask, or even a leave-in treatment to limit the dryness caused by limescale.

There are also professional hair treatments that give your hair a boost.

HAIR HEALTH ON THE DECLINE IN THE UNDER 25S

Many young adults are affected by abnormal hair loss.

Dermatologists are receiving more and more young men & women under 25 alerted by massive hair loss. Indeed, they note real hair problems. But what are the reasons for this increase in early baldness? Through this article, we will present different hypotheses aimed at explaining it.

Before going any further, it is good to remember that we lose more hair at certain times in life. The said periods are, in general: the change of seasons, stress, and the postpartum period, leading to capillary disruption.

What are the factors that could explain this increase in consultations among young adults? 

• Faster awareness: with television, magazines, the internet, and especially social networks, we have access to a colossal amount of information of all kinds. This constant flow of data feeds and shapes our lives to the point where we cannot live without it. When a person sees in a magazine or on a social network the representation of healthy hair, he will immediately have the reflex to compare himself.
• An environmental factor: atmospheric pollution. This pollution would have a tangible impact on the process of hair formation. This would cause much more hair loss which would lead to premature baldness. This factor will be the subject of a more detailed article to know the real impact of pollution on our hair health.
• Genetics: In 2017, the University of Edinburgh carried out genetic analysis targeting genes linked to baldness. This analysis produced a fascinating assessment. Indeed, there are no less than 125 genes linked to baldness, including 13 nested on the X chromosome, which is none other than that given by the mother. Therefore, the university deduced that a person suffering from pathological type hair loss would be the result of genetic inheritance from the mother only.

DOES POLLUTION DISRUPT THE HEALTH OF OUR HAIR?

According to several studies, pollution has a significant impact on our hair.

Large cities are experiencing an increasingly high pollution rate. This pollution contaminates many sources such as air, water, foodstuffs, and other consumer goods resulting from industrial production. This harmful pollutant cluster is then deposited on the scalp as well as the lengths.

But what is the real impact of pollution on our hair?

City dwellers see their hair become duller and invaded by dandruff. The scalp is indeed suffocated by dust and smoke. Disturbed by these environmental factors, the capillary process, therefore, experiences an inevitable slowdown. The hair is weakened and, thus, more likely to fall out.

As we have seen previously, the food products that we consume can also affect the health of our hair. Thus, certain pollutants contaminate food to the point of making it harmful for our bodies.

Besides the fact that pollution poses a severe problem for our hair, it mainly affects our health. Daily exposure to pollution in large cities inevitably results in the presence of endocrine disruptors in many people. These polluting residues, comprising insecticides, fungicides & herbicides, are present in the air and food. Therefore, these pollutants can quickly settle in our bodies. The effects of endocrine disruptors represent a real danger to our health. Indeed, they can cause the following problems: infertility, neurological damage, abnormal development of the fetus, and other disturbances.

What solutions to counter the effects of pollution on our hair?

It is difficult, if not impossible, to avoid pollution. However, by adopting the correct behavior, we can limit the damage caused by the many pollutants:

• First of all, avoid too frequent washing. These risks are attacking the hair fiber as well as the scalp and accelerating the clogging process. The correct washing rhythm is between 1 and 3 maximum per week.
• In heavily polluted areas, wearing headgear should be considered. This will limit the deposit of dust on the scalp. Be careful with the type of headgear! Avoid at all costs those too tight, which could cause or worsen hair loss.
• Adopt a so-called “anti-pollution” diet which helps in hair formation: favor certain foods such as vegetables & fruits.
• Benefit from a specific treatment that aims to cleanse the scalp and boost hair growth in the short term.

DIET & HAIR LOSS: RELATED?

Does diet have a tangible impact on hair health? 

We can wonder about the benefits or harms that food can bring to our hair and, in particular, their loss.

The hair is the mirror of our hygiene of life as well as of our state of mind. For example, if we are going through a  period of intense stress, it can be felt in our hair. But does food play a significant role?

• Debunking a myth
• Eating so-called healthy foods can only be beneficial. But remember that adopting a balanced diet is not the promise of carefree hair life. Indeed, if you lose your hair significantly, eating more fruits and vegetables will not stop the loss.
• However, incorporating certain foods on your plate can boost the health of your hair.
• Iron, zinc & vitamins galore
• Before listing the foods that “take care” of our hair, let’s remember which nutrients only want them good: proteins for keratin, zinc & copper for regrowth, and vitamins (A, B, C & E) to coat the hair.
• Here are the foods to choose to give your hair a boost:
• Dried oleaginous fruits provide a fundamental contribution of iron & zinc
• Green vegetables contain vitamin A & C
• Fish and seafood rich in fatty acids
• Eggs for vitamin B12

Conclusion

Adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and good fats is in no way harmful to the health of our hair, on the contrary. However, the positive impact that certain foods have cannot hinder potential deep or even pathological hair problems.

If you are the victim of abnormal hair loss, do not hesitate to contact our Center to obtain an appointment for a full consultation with our professional. This consultation aims to target the possible causes and find solutions adapted to your hair problems.