Top 5 Hair Problems and Suggested Solutions

It has been said that the hair is a person's "crowning glory." May it be long, short, curly, or straight, the hair plays a major part of one's identity and character. It is the main reason why it is given due importance and the strong need to take good care of it. However, no matter how much we give our best, hair problems still arise. 

Here are the Top 5 Hair Problems and Suggested Solutions: 

1. Hair Loss or Excessive Hair Fall - This is one of the most common hair problems experienced by both men and women. This is attributed to a variety of causes such as stress, pregnancy, too much vitamin A, lack of iron and protein and in serious cases, autoimmune diseases such as alopecia and lupus. Certain medications and chemotherapy are also known to cause hair loss. 

Suggested Solutions: Depending on the cause, one can consider these solutions to address the problem:

• For stress, having enough sleep is helpful since sleeping allows hair to repair and regenerate.
• It is also very important to get the proper nutrition since having healthy hair and scalp is dependent on what the person eats. Iron and protein-rich food can help strengthen one's hair. 
• For pregnancy-related hair loss, one can expect to see improvements after giving birth. 
• If it is caused by alopecia, lupus or other serious medical condition, it is highly recommended for one to see a health professional for appropriate intervention. 

2. Hair Damage - Too much sun exposure and extremely high temperature brought by hairdryers can take their toll on one's hair strands. The heat drains the moisture of one's hair causing breakage or split ends. For swimmers and people who love going to the beach, exposure to chlorine and saltwater can also pose serious hair damage. Over styling, perming and the use of other hair chemicals are also known causes. 

Suggested Solutions: Look for a gentle shampoo and a conditioner that can help infuse moisture. Minimizing the use of hairdryers, hair irons and products that are made of strong chemicals also helps. To protect one's hair and scalp, the use of a hat to avoid direct sun exposure is recommended. For swimmers, one can opt to use a bathing cap to protect one's hair. 

3.  Dry Scalp and Dandruff - Dry scalp is a condition when the skin has too little moisture which irritates the scalp and causing it to flake off. Dandruff, on the other hand, is caused by too much oil on the scalp which causes skin cells to build up and then shed more quickly than usual. 

Suggested Solutions: Use a shampoo that is specifically made to address dry scalp and dandruff problems. You can check the complete list of the best shampoos for dry scalp and dandruff, here. After using a medicated shampoo for a month but the scalp's condition does not improve, it is highly recommended for one to see a doctor to possibly rule out other skin problems such as psoriasis or eczema. 

4. Premature Graying- Though gray hair is associated with aging, this also occurs in younger individuals who are in their early 20s. According to WebMD, premature graying occurs when color-producing cells stop producing pigment. Recent studies show that stress is not the number one factor causing it but it is caused more by a genetic or vitamin deficiency problem.

Suggested Solutions: To address vitamin deficiency, take vitamin B12 supplements. It is also recommended to increase the intake of food high in vitamin B12 such as red meat, liver, mackerel, shrimps, mussels, and egg. Temporarily, one can also opt to conceal gray hair through the hair coloring treatments or hair highlighters. 

5. Head Lice and Nits - This problem occurs irrespective of age or gender but it is most common to children aged 3-14. Head lice are wingless insects that are living off through the human's blood from the scalp. They reproduce so quickly by laying eggs called nits. Among all the hair care problems, head lice infestation is the most serious since it is highly contagious. Thus, it is must be addressed as soon as possible. 

Suggested Solutions: The use of a nit comb and nitpicking is the most effective way to get rid of head lice. In case one does not have the time to do so, home remedies such as the use of vinegar and mineral oil mixture can be an alternative solution. It is fairly easy and effective. There are also medicated shampoos for head lice available in the market. 

How about you? Do you know any other solutions to these common hair care problems?