Driver Lifestyles

Hair Care

Jeff Jensen, Editor


If it's one thing men care about when it comes to grooming it's their hair--the kind on their head anyway. Whether it's flaking, gray, greasy, poorly cut, thinning or just plain falling out by the minute, it can be an instant indictment of a person’s appearance. Most importantly, your hair can be a reflection of your general health,

A number of conditions can affect the human scalp causing hair loss problems, dry or flaking scalp, itching, and lesions. Most of these dry thinning hair problems or outbreaks of inflammation can be treated by a change in hair care habits, with over-the-counter remedies, or by consulting a hair care professional.

Dandruff
, the excessive flaking of dead skin cells from the scalp, can be a problem in its own right or a symptom of seborrheic dermatitis, a fungal infection, or even head lice. If the white flakes on the shoulders of your clothing do not disappear after using a special shampoo like Head and Shoulders, you may need to reevaluate the problem.


To treat dandruff, one shampoo may not be enough. Buy a shampoo with anti fungal and antibacterial ingredients, one with zinc and one with salicylic acid. Use one shampoo for a few days and then switch. If the flakes haven’t disappeared in a couple of months, see a dermatologist for a prescription shampoo.

Dandruff is not made worse by frequent shampooing and it is not responsible for hair loss. The condition is, however, characterized by an itchy scalp. Don't scratch! If the skin becomes irritated or bleeds, the door has been opened for a more serious infection.

Dry flakiness and itchy scalp
Many times climactic changes cause a dry, flaking scalp. In winter when artificial heaters are running in homes and businesses people are exposed to low humidity on a regular basis and their scalp dries out. Another common cause of dry scalp is a shampoo with a harsh detergent base such as sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate. Over-shampooing will also dry out the scalp and for women who use hair spray the culprit may be the alcohol in the product.

If your scalp is perpetually dry, use a shampoo that says “mild” or “gentle” and look for the ingredient sodium laureth sulfate. And don’t take excessively hot showers, as hot water has a drying affect on hair and skin.

Wearing a cap all day can cause an itchy scalp as well, so remember to take a break and leave that hat on the dashboard for a few hours.

Oftentimes an itchy scalp is evidence of an allergic reaction to some ingredient in one of your hair care products, most likely your shampoo. Perfumes added to shampoos are notorious for causing itching. If you've tried a dandruff shampoo, the itching is continuing, and you do not see signs of irritation such as redness or small, acne-like lesions, try finding a shampoo with no perfumes.

Oily hair
To a large extent a greasy scalp is as much the cause of other conditions as a condition itself. A greasy scalp means your sebaceous or oil glands are working over time. The most common consequence is that at the same time you have a greasy scalp (that is probably also causing oily hair), your shoulders are covered in dandruff flakes. Unfortunately excess oil in the scalp can help create a climate ripe for more serious conditions like eczema, dermatitis, or scalp psoriasis.

Try finding a shampoo that contains zinc pyrithione. These shampoos will clean your hair as well as any "normal" shampoo but are a mild way to address the oily scalp and can be used long term. Suave makes a Suave for Men Dandruff Shampoo and an old favorite is Selsun Blue. If you've tried a dandruff shampoo like Head and Shoulders and not seen good results it may be time to try one of these upper shelf dandruff formulations.


Scalp acne 
Breakouts can happen anywhere, especially on your scalp. You can treat scalp acne the same way you would treat any breakout by applying a skin cleanser with salicylic acid to the breakout area with a cotton ball. Astringents and creams are also effective in drying up breakouts, but only use these products on the skin area because they will dry out your hair. Do not use acne treatments with a peroxide ingredient on your scalp because they could change the color of your hair. This is especially important if you have chemically- or color-treated hair because the strands are already porous and easily damaged.

Thinning hair and hair loss
While hair loss is common, it doesn’t have to inevitable. For many people, genetics plays a role in male or female pattern baldness, and you only have to look as far as your own father or mother to see where your hair is heading. This type of baldness happens when your hair starts to recede, beginning at the temples or crown. The hair looks weaker there than on other parts of the head and eventually falls out. 

Male pattern baldness is related to 95 percent of all hair loss in men, and while it is treatable, a lot of men prefer to just go with it or shave their heads completely. Hair loss products containing minoxidil can treat hair loss when applied regularly, and some are available over the counter. Prescription treatments are also available, but both treatments may take up to six months to work.

If your daddy has a full head of hair and your own hair is falling out, there may be another reason for your loss. If you just had a major surgery or illness, it is normal to lose hair from stress and certain medications. Medicines that cause hair loss include blood thinners, gout medicines, medicines used in chemotherapy, too much vitamin A, birth control pills and antidepressants.

Hair loss may also be a symptom of an underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes, so if you are experiencing sudden hair loss, contact a physician immediately for an examination. Alopecia areata, a disorder of the immune system that causes hair to fall out in small circles around your head, is treatable as well by rubbing one percent hydrocortisone cream into each bald circle. If that doesn’t work, see a doctor who may prescribe topical or injectible steroids.




Your hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month, and the foundation of all of our new hair, skin, and nail growth is the nutrients we eat. If you eat a healthy diet, you will grow stronger and healthier cells throughout your entire body -- inside and out.

The 10 top foods that should be the foundation of your healthy hair diet.

l. Salmon
Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron.

2. Dark Green Vegetables
Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. This oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner.

3. Beans
Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

4. Nuts
Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.

5. Poultry
Chicken and turkey provide you with the protein that will help maintain good hair health. Poultry also provides iron with a high degree of bioavailability, meaning your body can easily reap its benefits.

6. Eggs
Eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find. They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important health nutrients.

7. Whole Grains
For a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins, try whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals.
A whole-grain snack can also be a great go-to food when your energy is zapped halfway through the afternoon, and you've still got hours to go before dinner.

8. Oysters
Oysters may be better known for their reputation as an aphrodisiac, but they can also lead to healthy hair. The key to their love and hair-boosting abilities is zinc -- a powerful antioxidant.
In addition to getting it from whole grains and nuts, you can also get zinc from beef and lamb.

9. Low-Fat Dairy Products
Low-fat dairy products like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources.

10. Carrots
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp along with good vision.
Since a healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, you'd be wise to include carrots in your diet as snacks or toppings on your salad.