Biotin. Biotin is an essential B vitamin (meaning we need to consume it daily) that's known to be important in hair and nail growth. "When patients have a biotin deficiency, they suffer from thinning, dry hair, and dry skin," says Zeichner.
Vitamin A for dry hair and skin
People struggling with chronically dry hair or skin should prioritize increasing the consumption of vitamin A. The vitamin is considered especially vital for all cells in the body and is linked with helping the skin glands create sebum.
Brittle hair and nails
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, helps the body convert food into energy. A deficiency in biotin is very rare, but when it occurs, brittle, thinning, or splitting hair and nails are some of the most noticeable symptoms.
Deficiencies in any of the following vitamins and minerals could manifest as conditions including generalized hair loss, frizziness or brittle hair: Biotin (vitamin B7): Biotin activates enzymes that break down the carbohydrates, fat and protein necessary for hair production and reducing frizz.
Some causes of dry hair are: Excessive hair washing, or using harsh soaps or alcohols. Excessive blow-drying. Dry air due to the climate.
Using a harsh shampoo. Blow-drying your hair too often. Heat damage from straighteners or a curling iron. Harsh chemicals like dyes, perms, and relaxers.
If you notice hair is limp and stringy, without bounce, you could have a protein deficiency. By increasing your protein intake, you will boost elasticity—creating bouncier, fuller hair that is easier to style for your hair care routine.
Take an inch of your hair and stretch it, if it doesn't stretch or breaks, feels dry and rough, it is brittle/damaged and needs moisture treatment. If the hair stretches far and does not return and/or breaks, feels mushy, gummy or cotton candy-like, your hair needs protein.
using heat-based drying and styling tools too frequently. shampooing too often. using a shampoo with harsh ingredients, such as sulfates, that are drying for your type of hair. not using a conditioner often enough or one that's designed for your type of hair.
A zinc deficiency can cause diffuse hair shedding and breakage — as well as other symptoms, such as stunted growth and poor immune system function. It is preferable to obtain zinc through your diet, rather than supplements.
Vitamin D: When vitamin D is low, the hair may thin or stop growing. Zinc: Zinc deficiency can cause similar hair loss to iron and may also damage any remaining hair, causing it to break.
When vitamin B12 levels are low, your hair follicles may not be able to grow new hair as efficiently, resulting in hair loss. A vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause symptoms of anemia, which is associated with low iron levels, hair thinning, and hair loss.
Vitamin A is also good for your hair as it helps in regeneration of hair follicles and protects against any damage. It is also responsible for the oil glands in your hair that keep your hair silky and moisturised.
You can use products that have ingredients to hydrate and moisturise your hair. Avocado, coconut, olive and almond oils; aloe vera, shea butter and glycerine can help hydrate and moisturize your hair. Ensure your conditioners include some of these ingredients too in order to lock the water content in your hair.
The Hair Diet
Your hair craves healthy fats! So eat plenty of avocados, salmon, and olive oil. These foods are jam-packed with essential fatty acids, which can moisturize a dry scalp with natural oils.
Just like your body, your hair requires protein to stay healthy. However, if these amino acids are compromised – by things like heat styling, colouring or other damage to the hair, the protein can become altered, leading to brittle, dry, fragile and frizzy hair.
There are a number of ways to add moisture to your hair without protein. One way is by using natural ingredients such as honey, glycerin, aloe vera, etc. Also, find protein free hair products. Learn what moisturizing ingredients are and find products that have them.
Hair that needs moisture often feels dry, brittle or rough. It may look dull and tangle easily, and it might be prone to split ends.
Take a wet or dry strand of hair and stretch it gently. If it doesn't stretch easily, snaps quickly, and feels dry, brittle or rough, it means you need more moisture. If your curl stretches but doesn't bounce back into shape, and the hair feels gummy or musy, it means you need more protein.
If there is protein shortage in your diet, you may experience other hair problems besides hair loss. Hair becomes dry and brittle which leads to hair breakage and split ends. Protein is vital for healthy hair and without it; hair loss is very much a possibility.
Straw-like hair is often the result of common hair care oversights, such as these: using drying and styling tools (dryers, curling irons, electric rollers, flat irons) at too high a heat setting. using heat-based drying and styling tools too frequently. shampooing too often.
If you have low porosity hair, it means the structure of your hair doesn't easily allow moisture to be absorbed into your hair shaft. This can make it harder for water to saturate your hair when it's washed. Because this type of hair tends to repel moisture, it can also be more challenging to process and style.
Product buildup, environmental factors, and overstyling can all contribute to hair that looks dry and lifeless. Fortunately, there are ways to add more shine and natural luster to your hair. Using basic home remedies, trying shine-boosting products, and nourishing your hair from the inside may all help.