Everyone has a bad hair day from time to time. But did you know that the overall health of your hair and nails can indicate more than just style? Actually, healthy hair and nails are a sign of overall physical and mental health.
Stress Hair
High stress levels have been sited as one of the reasons for hair loss. According Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D, an expert writing for Mayo Clinic.com, there are three types of hair loss that can be associated with stress; telogen effluvium (large numbers of hair follicles go into a resting phase then fall out), trichotillomania (the irresistible urge to pull hair out) and alopecia areata (the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles).
Sudden or unusual hair loss can also be a side effect of medications or indicate an underlying medical condition, such as thyroid disease or infection, and in these cases it is wise to consult your doctor.
But how you wash and style your hair can also cause problems. Leticia Villgran the owner of Aura Salon in Chappaqua is committed to using high performance, botanically-based products that are cruetly-free, paraben free and contain no animal-derived ingredients. “Many of the traditional brands used in salons are too strong for certain types of hair,” says Villgran. “The salon coloring products also contain high amounts of ammonia, which can be harmful to hair.”
When Villgran was pregnant with her first child she realized the true importance of using only natural and organic products. That’s when she made the decision to become a certified salon with Aveda and Organic Salon Systems. “Aside from Aveda, the other beauty brands we rely on all meet similar standards,” she says.
Many of Villgran’s clients are either sensitive or allergic to standard beauty products or are going through hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause, and are looking for more natural hair care treatments.
Villgran says that blow drying and curling irons, when used correctly should not damage hair. “It’s important to use a good conditioner or a product that protects your hair from the heat before using the blow dryer or curling iron,” she says.
Nail Clues
Your nails can also offer clues about your health. Vertical nail ridges are not something to be concerned about, but an underlying health condition can be evidenced by a change in nail color or horizontal nail ridges. In either case consult your doctor.
Villgran prefers to offer basic mani-pedi services. She believes gel manicures can weaken and damage nails. For those with thin, brittle nails there are nail hardners that she finds helpful. Some doctors also suggest that the nutritional supplement biotin might help to strengthen weak or brittle nails.
If you are getting your nails done in a salon make sure the establishment is reputable and clean.
“It’s also important to regularly moisturize your hands,” says Villgran. Make sure your hands are a bit damp so you can seal that moisture in and rub the lotion into your fingernails and cuticles and well as the hand itself.
Caring for your hair and nails is more than an exercise in vanity. Proper hair and nail care is an important part of good hygiene.
Jean Sheff is editor of Westchester Family
