Tell-Tale Signs of Unhealthy Hair & the Best Hair Products for Hair Growth

January 25, 2024 Vanessa Casco

Healthy, dense, shiny hair can be your pride and glory, but unhealthy hair can make you want to hide under a hat. If you have uncontrollable hair that simply will not respond to styling, smoothing, or products no matter how you try, your hair may be in need of repair.

What are the Signs of Unhealthy Hair?

If you recognize any of these symptoms of unhealthy hair, its important that you get to the root of the problem by using the best hair products for hair growth.

Fixing Frizzy Hair

When the cuticles (the outer layers of the hair shaft) lay flat they give the strands a smooth, sleek look. But when the cuticles kink up, it makes the hair appear rough and frizzy. You will know your hair is damaged if you have frizzies, flyaways, or if your hair is unruly and unmanageable. Your hair is thirsty for hydration and nourishment to regain its thick, shiny appearance. If you are looking for the best hair products for hair growth and smooth hair, use a moisturizing shampoo that is free of harmful ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, or silicones. Before styling, apply a serum to your hair to protect it from heat from blow dryers and flat irons.

Doing Away with Dryness

Hair deprived of moisture may feel brittle and stiff and crackle like a leaf. Or the scalp may be itchy and dry and have visible signs of dandruff. The oil secreted by your scalp should smooth each strand of hair naturally. If the hair is stiff and dry to the touch, it is not receiving the organic sustenance it requires.

If you are looking for the best hair products for hair growth and to fix dry, damaged hair, scale back washing your hair every two or three days. Use a shampoo with ketoconazole, to prevent further hair loss. Ketoconazole reduces inflammation from the Pityriasis fungus that is commonly found in the scalp. Use twice a week for dandruff, and three times a week for hair loss. Take supplements, vitamins A & D, and minerals such as biotin, zinc, and iron to boost healthy oil secretion to the follicles.

Splitting from Split Ends

Split ends, where a strand breaks off in two directions at the end, can be the result of chemical treatments, extreme weather, blow drying, overwashing, heat styling, straighteners, hair dyes, not using a conditioner, and/or brushing too vigorously or too often.

The best way to deal with split hairs is to have your stylist chop them off. A good haircut will let you start with a fresh slate, and you will feel amazing. For those looking for the best hair products for hair growth and repairing split ends, use a serum on the ends up to three times a day to avoid the reoccurrence of dryness.

Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia - hair breakage – is often the result of high-tension hairstyles such as braids, hair extensions and weaves, tight ponytails, and dreadlocks. Additionally, overtreatment (hair dye, perms, straighteners, highlights) can break down the hair’s elasticity and make it susceptible to breakage. Don’t feel alone; celebrities who have suffered from traction alopecia include Jada Pinkett Smith, Viola Davis, Naomi Campbell, Selma Blair, Kristin Davis, and Brendan Fraser, to name just a few.

Naomi Campbell

So, what can you do? Make sure to use the best hair products for hair growth. A nutrient-enriched conditioner with caffeine, reishi mushroom, and saw palmetto will guard your hair from harmful UV rays from the sun and offer protection from the heat emitted from curling wands, blow dryers, and straightening irons. Shampoos with niacinamide, an anti-inflammatory, will stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles. Hydrolyzed collagen is essential, not only for hair, but for skin, nails, and joint flexibility. Avoid overstyling and wearing tight hairstyles that pull your hair, such as ponytails, weaves, and braids, and gently brush with a boar bristle brush.

Strengthening Thinning Hair

Gradual thinning on the top of the head is the most common type of hair loss that affects people as they age, but it can happen at any age. Seek treatment immediately for alopecia at the first signs of loss of volume and density, and miniaturization (thinning of the hair follicles that leads to a receding hairline or balding.) Eat a healthy diet and take supplements to ensure you have enough protein, vitamins A & D, iron, and zinc to feed your body its necessary nutrients. A hair mask or leave-in booster with DHT blockers will effectively prevent thinning by nourishing both the scalp and hair.

If you are looking for the best hair products for hair growth, you can also use a medical-grade laser device in tandem to regrow hair and improve volume and density. Hairmax laser devices have demonstrated an average growth rate of 129 new hairs per square inch after six months.

David Beckham

Minimizing Excess Shedding

On average, people shed 60-100 hairs each day. This is part of our natural physiological makeup. But too much hair falling on your clothes, an undue amount of hair in your brush or on the floor, or noticeable bald patches, may be early signs of alopecia.

It is possible to shed excessively due to stress, thyroid problems, postpartum, medications, and poor diets. If you are suffering from this type of hair loss, speak to your doctor to get help for a treatable medical condition or to rule out a hormone or vitamin deficiency. Make sure your diet includes all the necessary nutrients for hair health. Clean your scalp with a shampoo free of parabens and sulfates. A laser hair device may also help stimulate your follicles to work efficiently again.

Good Riddance to Knots & Tangling

The hair cuticles of unhealthy, frail hair will not lie as flat as they should. Instead of naturally shedding, the loose strands get wrapped around each other to form knots. Vigorously drying your hair against towels, or tossing and turning on pillowcases can also create knots and tangles.

Tangled hair can happen to anyone, but certain hair types tend to be more disposed to knots. Hair that is weakened by heat, sun, or chemicals, regularly exposed to hot styling tools, and frequently treated with grooming products that contain alcohol (hairspray and gel, for example) is more prone to knot, tangle, and break off.

Leave-in conditioner will rehydrate your hair and prevent tangles. Use a hair mask weekly to strengthen your strands. When brushing your hair, start at the ends and work your way up to the roots; use a wide-toothed comb or boar bristle brush specially designed for detangling. Avoid hot styling tools to minimize tangling and keep your hair looking smooth and healthy.

Products for Hair Thinning and Hair Loss

It is of the utmost importance to follow a haircare routine with multiple modalities. This includes using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, applying serum to protect the hair, and taking daily supplements. To prevent breakage and tangles, use a wide-tooth comb or boar bristle brush, and see your stylist regularly for haircuts to remove damaged ends. It is also wise to avoid tight hairstyles that can cause tension and breakage, and damaging treatments such as highlights, hair dye, and perms. Protect your hair from too much sun exposure by wearing a cap or scarf. Consider a laser device to boost your efforts to maintain healthy hair. Consult a dermatologist for a comprehensive treatment plan if you suspect your hair concerns are early warning signs of alopecia.