Antioxidants and Healthy Hair
08 / 07 / 20

Antioxidants and Healthy Hair

As we age, our bodies endure subtle changes. While we may feel some effects of aging, there are many changes on a cellular level that are not readily seen. Many of the most apparent signs of aging are noticed in the skin and hair. As people age, they gradually begin to notice changes such as wrinkles and dark spots and scalp and hair issues, including thinning hair or hair loss. Many of these unwanted signs of aging happen because of a decrease in natural antioxidants in our bodies.

You have likely heard of antioxidants and their role in preventing or delaying some types of cell damage. Research suggests that antioxidants may protect you from serious illnesses, play a vital role in overall health, and help to fight many of the effects of aging. Antioxidants not only keep you physically healthy, but they are also instrumental in maintaining healthy skin and hair.

Antioxidants, Free Radicals, and Oxidative Stress

Antioxidants are super molecules that help protect and fight against the oxidation process, which creates free radicals that can damage the body if their levels become too high. Research shows that as we age, the amount of antioxidants produced naturally in the body decreases, which can leave our cells susceptible to a variety of illnesses. Antioxidants have been shown to stabilize or deactivate free radicals before they attack cells and damage the cellular structure of the skin, scalp, and hair.
Free radicals are produced naturally in the body when you exercise or metabolize food. They are also caused by exposure to environmental sources, such as air pollution, tobacco smoke, and sunlight. Free radicals can cause a process called oxidative stress that can trigger cell damage. Research shows that oxidative stress plays a role in various diseases and can disrupt the normal functioning of skin and hair cells.

Since the body produces free radicals naturally, it is impossible to be completely void of them, but antioxidants can limit their damaging effects. While the natural production of antioxidants decreases with age, incorporating antioxidants into our diet as we age is beneficial for our scalp and hair.

Antioxidants occur naturally in a variety of foods and include vitamins C and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, and lignans. Fruits and vegetables, and other plant-based foods such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and even cocoa, are rich sources of antioxidants.

Antioxidants and Healthy Hair

Scientists continue to identify compounds in plants and herbs that possess potent antioxidant properties beneficial to our health. Many of these plants and herbs have been used in traditional medicines for thousands of years to treat various conditions, including thinning hair and hair loss. Research shows that antioxidants used topically and internally can help to keep your scalp and hair healthy.

Antioxidants significantly slow and prevent the oxidation process caused by free radicals and can repair damaged cells. Free radicals cause the skin to become inflamed, damaging hair follicles and disrupting the hair growth cycle. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals, protecting and repairing damaged hair follicles, and enabling them to produce healthy strands of hair.

Antioxidants are extremely beneficial in preventing thinning hair and hair loss, preventing the hair follicle from shrinking and promoting the growth of strong, healthy hair. Antioxidants can help minimize many of the natural effects of aging and protect the scalp and hair from environmental factors such as the sun and pollution.

What Can You Do?

A variety of factors can cause changes in hair texture, thinning hair, and hair loss in men and women. Studies show that most adults will experience thinning hair or hair loss as they age. While the exact cause of thinning hair or hair loss may be difficult to diagnose, our team at New Image are experts in all aspects of hair care. Our team of skilled professionals will thoroughly examine your scalp and hair, help identify the cause of your hair loss, and create an individualized treatment plan to address your specific hair needs. To learn more about the connection between antioxidants and healthy hair, contact us today and schedule your FREE initial consultation.