Heredity, which you cannot change, often dictates what type of hair you have. Simple tips, however, can maximize your chances of lustrous locks and help you to maintain healthy looking hair.

A diet high in nutrients, like antioxidants and protein is critical. If you don't have this, take supplements, especially B complex. Those who suffer from anemia, drastic weight loss, protein deficiency, or other nutritional disorders, may have manifestations of lackluster hair and poor growth. When patients come to see me with noticeable hair thinning, I often start by discussing underlying health issues. Blood tests may be ordered to help identify such issues. I often recommend patients adhere to healthy diets rich in lean protein and high in vegetables and fruit based antioxidants. In addition, supplements can prove helpful. An easy way to find them in your local drug store or health food store is to search for "skin, hair and nail supplements" which should contain at minimum, biotin, zinc, vitamin D and vitamin A.

Keep hair trimmed regularly -- no less frequent than every 6 to 8 weeks. Letting hair get straggly also means splits ends and breakage. Hair will look dull and damaged unless it is maintained by clipping uneven and "dead" ends.

Minimize chemical processing, heat damage, and environmental assaults, and be sure to maximize conditioning.  I recommend hair "masks" several times a month. A hair mask (or masque) is a rich hair conditioner that is usually packaged in a jar because it is too thick to squeeze through a tube or bottle. Many of your favorite brands of hair conditioners also have these masks. You can also ask your hairdresser to recommend their favorite. Look for one that does not contain sulfates or formaldehyde.

After washing your hair, use a soft towel and pat hair dry. Do not aggressively rub hair and avoid twisting wet hair which can lead to damage like breakage and split ends. If blow drying or flat-ironing hair, be sure to use a leave-on, heat-activated, protective hair styling product. These can be found along with other hair care products at most salons and well-stocked drug stores. 

If you color or highlight/lowlight your hair, be sure to use products designed for dyed hair. These products are typically "gentle" as they contain fewer chemicals such as sulfates, and will contain moisturizing elements such as olive oil, almond oil or avocado oil to name a few. 

Shampoo and rinses for color treated hair are designed to allow the color to last as long as possible and are less likely to strip off color from hair and also typically allow hair to maintain shine longer by coating the hair shaft with a layer of moisturizing oil, thereby hydrating the hair (as color processing tends to leave the hair prone to dryness over time). The downside of such products is that they may leave hair more "heavy" which is not desired by those who suffer with thin hair and those who wish to volumize their locks. The best way to avoid this is to use conditioner to the ends of hair and avoid using directly on roots or scalp. Redken Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner can be purchased at a hair salon, or, ask your hairdresser for a recommendation.

Chlorine swimming pools can also be damaging to hair luster. Be sure to rinse your hair with cool water before taking a dip in a pool. The cool temperature of the water will temporarily close pores on the scalp and the water itself will dilute the potentially negative effects of the chlorine. Once emerging from pool water, rinse hair again to remove the chlorine. Also, if sitting outdoors by a swimming pool, be sure to put on a hat or sit under an umbrella. Ultraviolet rays not only damage your skin but can also lead to hair breakage and dullness.

Overall, stress is a known risk factor in certain types of hair thinning. Be sure to keep your stress levels in check and seek out relaxation techniques.  If you do suffer from stress and hair thinning, don't panic. Your panic could exacerbate the hair problem. Instead, talk to your dermatologist for advice and recommendations and take a deep breath!

Just like with your skin, keeping your hair looking its best requires some simple but regular protection and care. Great nutrition, moisturizing and avoidance of ultra violet are all keys to keep hair lustrous. Sound familiar?

Blogging off,
Dr. Zalka