Hair? Ayurveda? How are they related...?

I know what your first thought could be: out of all the diseases we could use Ayurveda for, why would I pick to focus on something like hair?

Hair is more crucial for our well-being than most of us think. About 35 million men and 21 million women suffer from hair loss around the world. Hair is important for several reasons: self expression, culture, and health. Different cultures and societies may associate specific hairstyles or hair colors with certain groups or characteristics. People may choose hairstyles that reflect their personality, beliefs, or current trends. Changes in hairstyle or hair appearance can have a significant impact on how individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others. In a more health related perspective, hair is crucial to maintain in order to prevent future diseases. Luckily, Ayurveda puts emphasis on having a good quality of life in order to prevent future diseases. 

If hair isn’t taken care of properly, there can be both smaller and bigger consequences. The condition of one's hair can sometimes be an indicator of overall health and nutritional status. For example, certain deficiencies or health conditions may manifest through changes in hair texture, color, or thickness. Dandruff, which may seem like a common and relatively not harmful condition, can lead to several concerns such as eczema on the scalp or seborrheic dermatitis. Through Ayurveda, we can provide a substantial, natural, and cost-effective alternative to maintaining hair- a crucial aspect of our overall well-being.

I’ve explored the intersection of hair and Ayurveda on a more scientific level. Hair is made from a long chain of proteins in a sac, or follicle, which is made of skin cells. The surface of hair being made with keratin. The cuticle is the outer layer of the hair and it can be used to measure the softness or shininess of hair. The different textures of hair arise due to the shape of follicles and the number of disulfide bonds found in the hair strands (for example, straight hair has few disulfide bonds while curly hair has many). Shampoos have several ingredients that are good for our hair, however sodium, lauryl sulfates are effective cleaning agents as well as being too harsh and dry on curlier and thinner hair types. 

Hair Type	Shape of follicle
Straight	Round
Oval	Oval
Elliptical	Elliptical

Proper nourishment and maintenance of hair is needed, and that is where Ayurveda steps in. Coconut oil is predominantly made up of a 12 carbon atom medium-chain fatty acid called lauric acid. This gives coconut oil a long, straight structure, which is more easily absorbed deep into the hair shaft (Aarti S Rele). In fact, coconut oil came out on top in all of their studies and reduced protein loss in hair that was undamaged, bleached, chemically treated, and UV exposed. Several Ayurvedic oils along with coconut oil, such as sesame oil and castor oil, nourish our scalp because the fatty acids within these Ayurvedic oils work beneath our skin’s surface which ends up reducing inflammation. The Ayurvedic massages on hair also help increase blood flow in our roots, which create more nutrient availability for our roots to use. Their antioxidant properties protect us from UV rays and environmental pollution.

Sources:

• https://chemistry.as.virginia.edu/chemistry-wellness-hair-and-hair-care

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938572/#:~:text=Approximately%2020%2D60%20hairs%20are,and%20implies%20active%20hair%20shedding

• https://www.crodapersonalcare.com/en-gb/blog/hair-shine-and-colour-vibrancy-a-unique-methodology-to-validate-hair-care-formulations

• https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/coconut-oil-for-hair-growth#takeaway

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12715094/#:~:text=Coconut%20oil%2C%20being%20a%20triglyceride,penetrate%20inside%20the%20hair%20shaft

• https://kapuluancoconut.com/the-science-behind-coconut-oil-and-its-impact-on-hair-health/