4 The Science of Hair and Nutrition
THE HUMAN HAIR
Your hair plays a great role in beautifying and accentuating your features. It is quite natural that you would want to treat your hair well, using the finest hair care products and ensuring a good intake of nutrients which will keep your hair thick, luscious and attractive. ​
An average human head has more than 100,000 strands of hair. Generally 50-100 strands of hair are shed randomly every day. New hair strands constantly replace hair that is shed. Here’s a fun fact, the lifespan of 1 hair strand may vary from 2 to 6 years. During this phase it will grow, rest and then fall out. This cycle maintains the right number of hair on our head. Technically, hair growth occurs in cycles and consist of four phases:
Hair loss occurs when the number of hair strands that fall exceeds 100 per day.
​Hair is made up of 97% of a protein called keratin. Hair consists of two distinctive parts, the follicle and the hair shaft. The follicle is the living part and is located under the scalp and the shaft is the fully keratinized non-living part above the surface of the skin. The hair follicles contribute nutrients necessary for hair growth. Sebaceous glands which are attached to hair follicles release fatty substances and pigment cells produce melanin in the hair follicle. Darker the pigment cells, darker the hair. Pigment cells die as the person grows older, which is why hair turns grey. Unfortunately, nowadays, premature graying has become a major issue for people across the globe thanks to a stressful lifestyle.
Amritha Varshini hair oil has the property to curb premature graying and help maintain the pigment cells in the hair follicles. It is important to care for the hair follicle and shaft to maintain healthy, good looking and manageable hair. A coconut based hair oil like Amritha Varshini penetrates from the surface of the skin, deep into the hair shaft and hair follicle making it the best medium with which hair oil is made.
HAIR LOSS
We always wonder why some people have stunning and healthy hair while some are at the receiving end of hair problems, the latter being more common in this day and age. This is because hair growth, its health and texture is influenced by hormones, blood supply, nutrients, climate, stress levels, water used for washing and the use of artificial hair care and hair styling products and so on.
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How do I know if I have hair loss?
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Hair easily breaks or falls off when touched
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Hair thins gradually, especially on the top of the head.
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Visibly thin hair or absence of hair on the hairline and top of the head.
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One or more round or oval bald patches
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Scientifically, hair issues occur due to changes in hair follicle density, size and / or changes to the hair growth cycle. A male hormone, androgen is also a major cause of hair loss as men get older. An enzyme called alpha reductase enzyme which converts testosterone into Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body, when in excess, causes the male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness is where a round bald patch on the back of the head slowly increases in size and spreads to the front of the scalp with a few hairs left on the sides and back of the head. This condition may occur in women as well. Besides this, there are many other common causes of hair loss.
Physiological
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Hereditary factors
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Stress
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Change in sleep pattern
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Age
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Dandruff
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Damaged hair
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Split ends
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Dry scalp
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Grey hair
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Thinning of hair
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Excess use of chemicals like hair dyes
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Poor diet
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Chemotherapy
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Sudden weight loss
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Male pattern of hair loss
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Steroid usage
External Factors
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Lice
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Pollution
Diet and Diseases:
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Protein deficiency
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Vitamin deficiency
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Hypertension
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Post-pregnancy
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Hormonal changes
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Hypothyroidism
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PCOD
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Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder
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Seborrheic dermatitis, an itchy rash with flaky scales
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Scalp psoriasis
DANDRUFF
Dandruff is another major issue for people across the globe. You know you have dandruff when you get:
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An itchy scalp
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Skin flakes on your scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard or mustache, and shoulders
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Scaly, crusty scalp in infants with cradle cap
NUTRITION FOR YOUR HAIR
Since your hair is exposed to either one or more of these conditions, you need to go the extra mile to ensure your hair receives the right treatment it deserves.​ Amritha Varshini hair oil’s all in one solution helps to get rid of dandruff and maintain a healthy scalp.
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A well-balanced diet consisting of many fruits, vegetables and green leaves that are rich in various minerals and vitamins are vital for the development of hair follicles. Healthy diet enriches the hair roots preventing common haircare problems like hair fall and split ends. Consuming plenty of water at regular intervals also aids hair growth as it retains the moisture and natural shine in hair.
Apart from nutritious food, hair care routine includes external care and treatment including application of oils and other hair care products.​When choosing your hair oil or as it is called ‘murdha taila’ in Ayurveda, which means the traditional remedy of anointing oil on the scalp, it is important to pick an oil packed with the right nutrients to promote healthy hair growth while keeping all hair problems at bay.
Ayurveda classifies certain herbs as ‘Keshya’ herbs, which means those herbs that are beneficial to the hair. Some are ‘Keshyavardhana’, or herbs which provide nutrition and stimulate the roots ‘Keshyaranjana’, or those which prevent greying of hair, curb fungal infections and loss of hair. These herbs include Bringaraja and Bibhitaki. In fact, Bhringraja oil increased the number of hair follicles, and was actually more effective than minoxidil at preventing hairloss.
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Amritha Varshini is full of the necessary nutrients from Keshya herbs sourced from 100% natural ingredients prepared to a tried and tested herbal formula guaranteeing strong and healthy hair growth.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR HAIR – LOVE YOURSELF!
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Moisturise hair with chemical free hair oil
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Cleanse hair with mild shampoo
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Use hair mask for nourishment
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Maintain scalp hygiene
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Avoid unnecessary chemical treatments
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Eat healthy
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Keep evenings stress-free
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Sleep well and try to sleep at the same time daily