Definition
Normally, the hair should be shiny and have a smooth, supple surface. However, if the hair looks dull, dull and reminiscent of straw when touched, it is called brittle hair. However, all hair layers are intact, only the outer cuticle layer is roughened and damaged.
The hair consists of three layers, an outer cuticle, a middle layer, the cortex, and an inner medulla. Each hair is anchored with its root in the skin, where it is combined with its own muscle and sebaceous gland. The hair roots contain the living cells that differentiate into dead horny cells. The horny cells are what is visible to us as hair. In the root are also the melanocytes, the cells that produce pigments (melanin) and thus determine the hair color.
Symptoms
The brittle hair looks dull and lackluster. The surface is noticeably roughened and reminds of the consistency of straw, which is why brittle hair is often called strawy. Because the outer hair layer is attacked, the hair is less resistant and becomes brittle over time. The appearance of brittle hair correlates with its length, because the longer the hair, the more sebum the gland has to produce to keep the hair moist. If the hair becomes too long, less and less sebum arrives in the tips, so that it dries out sooner or later.
Diagnosis
Distinguish brittle hair from stressed hair, where the hair is functionally damaged. This means that the hair structure is changed right down to the middle layer (cortex). This makes it porous and less resistant.
This is the case with dyeing, perms and bleaching. In contrast, with brittle hair, only the outer layer is attacked and the cause is also different. Brittle hair is caused by the hair drying out.
The sebaceous gland associated with the hair no longer produces enough fat to keep the hair supple and shiny. The cause of brittle hair is in most cases quite banal and easy to eliminate. Often the hair is washed too often, exposed to very hot and dry air and sunlight.
Especially in summer, the sun’s radiation is an important factor, in winter the dry heating air. Both the hot temperature and the low humidity cause the hair to dry out and become brittle. As a result, hot blow-dry air and straightening irons are a strain on the hair with every use.
Also when washing the hair, grease is removed from the hair with each wash, which must be rebuilt afterwards. Too much combing with pointed bristles can roughen and make the outer hair layer brittle. As already mentioned, the hair length also plays a decisive role.
If a certain length is exceeded, at some point the drying out can no longer be avoided. However, brittle hair can also be an indication of deficiency. For example, vitamin deficiencies have a negative effect on the hair structure.
B-vitamins and biotin are of particular importance in this context. In addition it must be said that vitamin deficiencies in our western society practically no longer occur despite unhealthy nutrition. Exceptions are special forms of malnutrition such as anorexia, bulimia or alcohol dependency.
Also with veganer nutrition it should be paid attention to the fact that it does not come to vitamin deficiency symptoms. Somewhat more common than vitamin deficiency are mineral deficiencies, with iron playing the greatest role. It should be noted that iron deficiency is not only manifested in the form of brittle hair or even hair loss, but also in many other symptoms such as paleness or reduced performance.
The brittle hair is caused by reduced blood supply to the hair cells and sebaceous glands. As iron is indispensable for the transport of oxygen in the body, a lack of iron leads to an increased supply of vital organs, whereas blood circulation in less important organs is reduced to a minimum. As a result, the sebaceous glands are not supplied with sufficient blood and no longer work as efficiently as before.
As mentioned above, the lack of sebum is responsible for the brittle state of the skin. Besides iron, other trace elements may also be insufficiently available. Zinc and copper play a role for the hair.
With vegan nutrition one should pay special attention, since most zinc is contained in meat, milk, cheese and eggs. If necessary the respective trace element should be replaced by food supplements. In addition, brittle hair can be a consequence of a low-protein diet, because the hair itself consists of proteins.Since the body cannot produce all the building blocks of the proteins itself, they must be supplied with food.
If this does not happen in sufficient quantities, this can manifest itself in the hair structure, among other things. Hair changes – just like the rest of the body – when there are strong hormonal fluctuations or changes such as in puberty, pregnancy or the menopause. Frequently, not only the hair is affected by these changes, but also the structure of the nails (see: Brittle fingernails) and the skin (see: Brittle hands).
The hair structure can also be a sign of hormonal disorders, e.g. hypothyroidism. This can also cause the hair to become brittle and fragile or even fall out. Hair loss caused by the thyroid gland is the most common cause of hair loss in women.
However, the hair should not be the only criterion, but also whether one feels tired and worn out, freezes quickly, gains weight, etc. A doctor should be consulted if you suspect hair loss. With the onset of the menopause, the falling estrogen level is reflected on all organs.
Oestrogen is an important factor in the formation of collagen, which gives the skin and hair its elasticity and provides a moist protective layer. When there is a lack of estrogen, as is the case during the menopause, collagen formation decreases. The hair loses moisture and elasticity and thus changes its substance.
This process cannot be stopped. However, a certain healthy lifestyle can slow down this process and delay its progression. A balanced diet and avoiding too much exposure to sunlight and cigarette smoke can slow down this aging process.
A suitable shorter hairstyle during this process gives the hair a lightness and simplifies daily styling, which is more gentle on the hair. Brittle hair is often an indication of certain deficiencies in the body. Most often in our society this is caused by a lack of iron.
A lack of iron is accompanied by paleness and a general reduction in performance, so that this constellation of symptoms can indicate a lack of iron. Iron and hair are related in that iron is an important transport component of oxygen in our blood, which carries oxygen to the areas of our body that need it. This is called iron deficiency anemia.
Due to the lack of iron, an important transport instrument is thus missing, so that the supply of oxygen is restricted, which is however indispensable for the growth and functioning of hair cells and sebaceous glands. If the body has too little iron available, the vital organs are first supplied with oxygen, so that the hair parts suffer. With the underproduction of sebum explained by this, the hair becomes brittle.
If an iron deficiency is detected, which also causes symptoms, iron can be substituted in the form of tablets or iron-containing food such as: and the deficiency can thus be eliminated. The symptoms should then be reduced.
- Meat
- Legumes or
- Spinach
The interaction between the estrogen and testosterone plays an important role here, as these have an influence on the production of sebum and thus on the moisture of a hair.
The testosterone promotes the production of sebum, whereas the estrogen inhibits it. Pregnant women often notice a more greasy and shiny hair. However, the hormone redistribution can also have the opposite effect on the hair, so that some pregnant women complain about brittle hair.
It is always very individual which balance between these hormones exists and makes the hair look shiny or brittle. The clinical picture of brittle hair during pregnancy is not worrying. Rather, it is an aesthetic problem that does not require further clarification if vitamin and mineral deficiencies are excluded.
It can be treated with simple household remedies such as oil and mild shampoos and hair treatments. After pregnancy, the problem should resolve itself as soon as the hormone balance returns to its original state. Also in the vitamin balance, deficiencies have a bad effect on the structure of the hair.
In this case, especially the B-vitamins/biotin play an important role. In our society, however, this deficiency is rarely caused by a lack of vitamin intake through food, but is the consequence of an underlying disease. The most common reasons include eating disorders and alcoholism.If symptoms of a vitamin B complex deficiency appear, such as brittle hair, this deficiency should be compensated with a vitamin B-rich diet.
Pulses, nuts, milk powder, whole grains and liver contain a high level of vitamin B complexes. For certain indications, drug therapy may even be necessary. A vitamin C deficiency can indirectly lead to brittle hair.
In this case, bleeding gums are the main cause. The resulting iron deficiency caused by bleeding leads to structural damage to the hair (see iron deficiency). Brittle hair can be caused by a certain type of hair color change.
In the foreground here is the bleaching. With bleaching is meant that the natural and artificial colorants are extracted from the hair by substances such as persulfates and ammonia. This is caused by the destruction of the color particles, which are called pigments.
Furthermore, this leads to a change in the hair cortex, which is noticeable as a general change in the hair substance. The damage to the hair can be reduced by a professional application and execution of the bleaching process. Nevertheless, this has disadvantages for the hair.
