Hair care is the process of maintaining healthy hair and preventing hair loss. It involves proper washing techniques, conditioning the hair and protecting hair follicles from heat and chemical treatments. Also, hair product types play a part in hair health.

There are also elements in a person's environment and diet that affect hair care. According to WebMD, the nutrients absorbed from fruits, vegetables and multivitamins can strengthen the scalp and hair.http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/eating-right-keep-hair-healthy Sun exposure is also a factor in hair health.

Shampoo is a cleansing product that removes dirt and oil from the scalp and hair follicles. It comes in several varieties for specific hair types such as curly, fine and damaged. There are also special shampoos for people that are prone to developing dandruff, which is a condition caused by the build up of dead skin cells on the scalp.http://free-beauty-tips.glam.com/dandruff-flakes.html

After shampooing the hair, a person can apply a hair conditioner. It is a product that adds moisture back into the hair follicles. This helps prevent hair breakage and add shine.http://www.happynews.com/living/haircare/need-use-conditioner.htm

Hair can be damaged by heating devices such as flat irons and hair curlers.http://www.dowcorning.com/content/publishedlit/HEATPROTECT.pdf However, thermal heat protection serums can be used to minimize damage.http://www.dowcorning.com/content/publishedlit/HEATPROTECT.pdf These products are designed to protect the hair from drying out from heat while adding extra luster.http://www.dowcorning.com/content/publishedlit/HEATPROTECT.pdf

Another aspect of heat damage is sun exposure. The sun can also dry the moisture out of the hair, causing split ends and faded hair color.http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip027.htm Today, some shampoos include sunscreen to protect the hair from UVA, UVB and UVC sun rays.http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip027.htm

There are many causes of hair loss. Some are biological while others are environmental. The biological causes are androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), cicatricial alopecia (scarring), alopecia areata, telogen effluvium and traction alopecia.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/DS00278/DSECTION=causes Hair can also be lost during medical treatments such as radiation given to cancer patients.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/DS00278/DSECTION=causes Hormonal changes and stress are also factors in hair loss.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/DS00278/DSECTION=causes

Some environmental causes of hair loss are over exposure to lead, mercury, selenium, zinc, thallium and arsenic.http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education3/30-water-hair-loss.htmhttp://www.anyvitamins.com/selenium-info.htmhttp://www.nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com/zinc A person can get these chemicals in his hair from various water systems, machinery equipment and overused vitamin supplements.http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education3/30-water-hair-loss.htm

Beyond environmental and biological causes, hair loss can be caused by misuse of styling products. Exorbitant hair brushing, dying and other chemical procedures can make the hair fall out.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/DS00278/DSECTION=causes Also, hair extensions that are too heavy or used too frequently have the ability to damage the hair permanently.http://www.hairlosslibrary.com/hair_weaving_hair_loss.html

A person's diet can affect the health of his hair. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids help maintain a healthy scalp.http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/features/top-10-foods-for-healthy-hair Fish, flaxseed and nuts are examples of food that include omega-3 fatty acids.http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/eating-right-keep-hair-healthy Other vitamins and minerals that help hair health are the following: vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, folic acid, magnesium, zinc and protein.http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/eating-right-keep-hair-healthy

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.