Staff writer
People are not only losing their hair while still relatively young due to genetic aspects – premature graying and hair loss can also be accentuated by living in a polluted urban environment, such as Bangkok.
Creature discomfort
Chuleerath Chaiyodsilp, a research and development pharmacist at Jiva Hair and Scalp Complete Treatment Center, says the major reason people are visiting the center is to combat demodex, a genus of tiny parasitic mite that lives in human hair follicles.
The mites can seriously damage hair in several ways, such as by weakening the roots, through causing greater hair loss, by causing irritation, by making hair become more brittle, or by reducing color pigment production.
The demodex mite, which measures about 0.1-0.4 millimeters in length, can easily get from one person’s scalp to another in public places, such as hair salons, where conditions can be ideal for such a process to develop.
For example, Chuleerath points out that hairdressing equipment is often used on several customers throughout a working day and sufficient levels of cleanliness might not always necessarily be attained in some salons.
The mite can easily spread its sphere of influence within public places, particularly those that feature couches, such as hotel lobbies and lounges, movie theaters, clubs and bars, as well as on buses, trains, or other forms of public transportation.
The slow moving creatures are therefore often provided with the chance to inhabit another human scalp when within easy reach. In the case of a couch, the mite may drop on to the couch's surface and then be accidentally picked up by the next person who sits in the same place, or by someone already sitting close by who brushes past.
Damaging chemicals
In a city where residents spend a good deal of their spare time beautifying their hair, or switching styles (often several times a year), chemicals are widely used as part of the process, such as peroxide (in bleach), dyes, perms, and other treatments.
Conditioners, hair colorants, and other kinds of hair products and shampoos can often leave chemical residues on the hair and scalp. Many of the ingredients used in conditioners and shampoos, such as sodium lauryl sulphate, silicone, dimethicone, diethymethicone, and ethylmethicone can cause considerable damage if used over a prolonged period. Diethanolamine (DEA), for example, which is used in many brands of shampoo and conditioner, is carcinogenic.
Hair colorant products contain oxidation ingredients, such as hydrogenperoxide, which may cause irritation, and para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which may cause irritation, and may even heighten the chance of developing cancer.
Restricted amounts of all these chemicals are used in hair products today in line with restrictions issued in guidelines provided by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
City pollution and stress
Chuleerath says air pollution, generated by exhaust fumes and other sources, may be another factor leading to premature hair loss or graying. The toxins released in such gases if absorbed by the body can lead to the production of free radicals in the blood, which can obstruct the hair's absorption of nutrients, leading to hair damage.
Stress caused by work, personal matters, as well as other forms of urban pollution can also generate free radicals, according to Chuleerath.
Keeping hair healthy
Chuleerath says there are some steps city residents can take to reduce the risk of premature hair loss and graying, such as using mild forms of shampoo and avoiding products that contain toxic chemical ingredients. It is important for consumers to be able to clearly recognize the names of potentially harmful chemicals so they can quickly identify them when checking product labels.
Members of the public should avoid turning to additional chemical-based products in a bid to combat hair brittleness, since this might only serve to increase the amount of chemical residue on the scalp. For example, silicone, which is often used in conditioners, is not easily dissolved by water.
Chuleerath says that using hair products containing herbs provides one healthier alternative, since herbs often provide nutrients that can structurally revive the hair. For example, centella aslatica promotes hair growth by increasing blood circulation, while sesame can revive skin cells on the scalp, according to Chuleerath. Nevertheless, consumers still need to remain cautious as many herbal hair products also include toxic ingredients. To be extra safe, consumers should seek out viable sources that can verify the quality of such products.
In the case of demodex infection, persons encountering premature graying or hair loss can always book a consultation at an outlet operated by Jiva Hair and Scalp Complete Treatment Center, where trained staff can check for the mites and provide consultations.
Find further information about keeping hair healthy, visit http://www.herbforhair.com.
Photos: Jiva Hair and Scalp Complete Treatment Center.
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