Take Hair: How to Manage Your Mane (and Hair Elsewhere)

It’s on your head, face, arms, legs – pretty much everywhere except your palms and the soles of your feet. But what exactly is hair? And what’s the best way to take care of it? Or remove it?

Turns out, hair is the second-fastest growing tissue in the body. It’s made of keratin, a type of protein that’s also found in nails and skin. “Each hair has its own hair root under the skin, which is surrounded by a hair follicle,” says Solomon Saul, DO, family medicine provider at LVPG Family Medicine–Mountain Top. “Blood supplies oxygen and nutrients to the root, helping your hair grow.”

Choosing the right shampoo – and using it properly – can improve the appearance and health of your hair. Here’s how to do it:

• Pick a shampoo for your hair type. For instance, some formulas work best for chemically treated hair. If you have dandruff, a shampoo containing salicylic acid and zinc can often help treat this condition.
• Use only a small amount. A dab about the size of a quarter will do.
• Massage gently into the scalp after wetting your hair. Use your fingertips. Don’t work shampoo down the ends of the hair, which can cause dull, course flyaways.
• Rinse well. Wash away all suds. Leftover shampoo can cause dry, itchy or flaky skin.
• Condition afterward. Unlike shampoo, concentrate conditioner on the ends. Otherwise, it can weigh down your hair.
• Towel dry. Wrap – but don’t rub – to absorb extra water. Rough treatment with a towel can damage your strands.
• Comb through damp hair. Use a wide-tooth comb to gently work out tangles. Don’t yank or pull.
• Air-dry whenever you can. Hair dryers and other heated styling tools can damage hair. Try not to use them, and if you do, use the lowest heat setting.

When browsing supplements or shampoos, you might notice biotin repeatedly advertised as a key ingredient for thicker, voluminous hair. And while it’s true that a biotin deficiency can lead to hair loss, there’s not enough evidence to support hair growth-related benefits of biotin products. If you’re struggling getting your hair to grow, talk with your provider about your concerns. 

Looking to remove hair from someplace you wish it didn’t grow? See which of the choices available is right for you.

Eyes may be the window to the soul, but hair can provide crucial clues about the state of your overall health. For example, hair thinning and hair loss aren’t always your parents’ fault. There are several potential causes that aren’t genetic, including:

• Emotional or physical stress
• Health conditions, such as diabetes and lupus
• Hormonal imbalances
• Scalp infections
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Lack of nutrients (biotin, iron, protein or zinc)

“So even if you’re fine with seeing more of your scalp lately, you should still discuss hair thinning with your health care provider and get to the source of the problem,” Saul says.