Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

Be Cautious of Haircare Products Even If Hair Problems Continue to Haunt You

by Kathy Jones on February 24, 2013 at 10:52 AM
 Be Cautious of Haircare Products Even If Hair Problems Continue to Haunt You

Hair care issues seem to be troubling everyone these days given the fact that new products are hitting the market on an almost daily basis.

Thanks to lifestyle changes, hair problems are becoming increasingly common in both women and men, doctors say, warning against being misled by random products bought over the counter.

Advertisement

"Hair problems are becoming common these days and we have noticed an increase of 10-12 percent in patients coming with such problems every year. Similarly, the demand for hair transplants has also increased over the last five years," D.M. Mahajan, dermatologist at Delhi's Apollo Hospital, told IANS.

The nature of hair problems is varied - hair fall, thinning, baldness, dandruff, scalp problems and the like. Depending on the age group, some problems are more common than others.
Advertisement

"The most common problem that inflicts people across all age groups is hair loss. This is a big concern for women and young males. The second most common problem is dandruff. This is usually related to climate, type of water and soap and shampoo used," Mohan Thomas, cosmetic surgeon at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital, told IANS.

Usually, men suffer from hair loss at an earlier age than women, he added. "Concerns about hair loss are usually more in men and at a younger age, starting as early as in their 20s".

The reason for hair loss could be anything - bad lifestyle, poor diet, pollution, hormones or even genetics. But stress is the big culprit behind the increasing hair woes among people, doctors say.

"Stress is a major factor behind hair loss. Hair is the fastest growing organ in the human body but has less stability. So when there is a change in season, or an exam coming up, it is generally accompanied with hair loss. Plus, there are other factors, like not enough exposure to sun and vitamin D deficiency, peer pressure or anxiety," Mahajan said.

Nitin Walia, consultant in the dermatology department at Delhi's Max Hospital, said that women usually suffer from hair loss post-pregnancy, after menopause, or when there is a hormonal imbalance.

While doctors unanimously agree that an increase in awareness among both the sexes, and at an early age, is benefitting in early detection of problems; random use of hair care products should be discouraged.

"Some patients come to us after trying every possible product bought over the counter. A majority of them have tried home therapies or have gone by their hairdresser's advice. A word of advice - companies try to push the sale of their products through beauty parlours; so be careful," Walia cautioned while speaking to IANS.

Instead of relying on haircare products, doctors suggest medical intervention for problems so as to pinpoint the exact reason. For instance, women with dry and thinning hair need their thyroid hormones checked.

Dandruff and boils on the scalp, if not treated early, can also lead to hair loss later.

"Most of the shampoos don't carry scientific evidence of solving hair problems. They are just cleansers," Walia said.

Breach Candy's Thomas recalled the case of a 38-year-old woman with grey hair who had been using a branded hair dye for years. Seeing a new product on TV, she decided to try it.

"After a couple of weeks, she noticed tiny eruptions on her scalp. This led to flaking of skin and dryness of hair, further leading to hair breakage. When she approached us, we stopped the product usage and put her on low dose steroid-based creams and sun screens. It took months before the hair grew back to normal," Thomas said.

"I therefore advise people to use medicated products under a doctor's supervision. Shampoos should ideally have a pH of 4.5-5; otherwise it makes your hair alkaline and dry," he added.



Source: IANS
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Lifestyle and Wellness News

Social Media Reshapes New Parenting Journeys
Amid the challenges of caring for newborns and toddlers, a study notes a rising trend of new parents seeking social media's help for managing their children.
Social Isolation With No Family & Friends Visits Linked to Mortality Risk
Lack of friends and family visits is tied to a 39% increased risk of mortality that can be used to develop effective therapies associated with social isolation.
Sunscreen & Its Pseudoeffects of Sun Protection
Compared to wearing sun-protective clothes and avoiding the sun, using sunscreen is the least effective way to prevent sunburn on the skin.
How Fruit & Vegetable Microbiomes Benefit Human Gut Health?
Bacterial diversity in the human gut is benefited by eating fruit and vegetables with microorganisms of probiotic and health-promoting characteristics.
Surprising Independence of Weight Loss
New research challenges the common notion that couples achieve better weight loss results.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Be Cautious of Haircare Products Even If Hair Problems Continue to Haunt You Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests