Tags: health
Veganism continues to gain popularity around the world, but there is also a growing debate about the negative effects it can have on your hair. Fiction or serious problems? We spoke to celebrity hairdresser Edward James to find out if vegan diet can affect the quality of your hair and what to do to keep your hair strong and healthy.
How can a vegetarian diet affect your hair?
“Many vegetarian clients are incredibly knowledgeable about their diet, however I have noticed that they suffer from weaker hair growth, increased hair loss and more brittle hair. We also find that their hair has lower tensile strength."
This is because a vegetarian may struggle to maintain a high enough level of protein in their diet after removing both animal and dairy products. Since the hair itself is made up of a chain of proteins, this deficiency can affect and weaken your hair.
Is the diet right for you?
"If you're cutting out meat or dairy, it's important to supplement your diet with alternative sources of protein," says James. "I would suggest talking to a nutritionist and consulting with the Vegan Society for advice on how to eat right with and where to get protein."
What to do if your hair is weak?
The most important step in tackling hair weakness is protecting it from further damage. "Hair with lower tensile strength is more likely to break out, so it's important that you find protection," says James.
Protective products such as: shampoo, conditioner, etc. products that strengthen your hair.
How to dye your hair correctly?
“If you color your hair, use a styling enhancer like the Olaplex system,” advises James. “This will create new chains of disulfide bonds (which hair is made of) while the dyeing process is taking place. This effectively protects the hair during coloring, as it is these bonds that are broken, not your own hair, resulting in healthy and strong hair for a long time.”
James also uses the Aveda color in his salon as it is "96 percent naturally sourced and contains more natural oils to protect the hair while it is colored." For coloring at home, he recommendsTints of Nature (translated shades of nature) because it is based on plants and does not contain any ammonia-heavy dyes.
I need more advice. Where should I go?
If you're worried about the condition of your hair, talking candidly with your hairdresser during your consultation can be an effective way to assuage your concerns about the best treatments, cuts, and styles for you.
“When clients come into the salon for their initial consultation, we will usually look at the strength and condition of their hair,” emphasizes James. – We will evaluate the strength and elasticity of the hair to determine if there is any weakness. If so, we will run a colored thread test to evaluate the hair. We think it's important that the quality of the hair doesn't deteriorate."
What else can affect my hair?
"There are several other reasons why someone's hair might start to fall out, which could include thyroid problems, hormonal changes, iron deficiency, alopecia, or genetic deficiencies," warns James.
So, if you are a vegetarian who is struggling with the health of your hair, talk to your doctor as well as your hairdresser to make sure you are in good health.
