Factors Impacting Hair Health

Across historic cultures, hair has been known to indicate beauty, morals and social status. With the advancement of science, now it also stands to indicate our internal health and lifestyle.

As far as hair is concerned, it is not just what you apply on your scalp or the products you use to maintain it, but a lot has to do with the lifestyle, the environment, hormones, etc. While there are factors beyond one’s control, there are many that can be altered, thus improving overall body health along with hair health. By understanding these factors and how to minimize their negative impact on hair health and hair growth, one can support their hair’s vitality, elasticity and longevity.

There are two categories to be considered while understanding what impacts hair growth: Alterable Factors & Inherent Factors.

1. Nutritional Resources

With appropriate supply of both macro (needed by the body in large quantities) and micro (needed by the body in less quantities) nutrients, hair growth and health can be maintained. Nutrients to the hair are provided through microcirculation (circulation in the micro sized capillaries) at the hair follicles. Nourishment needs of the body vary with age and need; hair is not critical for survival hence not the primary site for the body to supply its nutrients to [1]. Hence, when there is scarcity of nutrients in the body, the nutrient supply to the scalp is cut-off.

Protein & Amino Acids: Hair is largely made of a protein called keratin. When dietary protein is lacking, the hair structure may weaken, which may lead to hair fall and reduced hair growth. Studies show that low protein intake results in a shorter anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, leading to telogen effluvium (diffuse hair shedding). [1,2]

Minerals and Vitamins: Deficiencies in iron, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, selenium, copper and B-complex vitamins (like vitamin B12 and biotin) are linked to poor hair growth, premature greying and increased hair fall . A systematic review study found that higher vitamin D and iron levels resulted in reduced occurrences of hair-loss conditions such as alopecia [3].

Oxidative stress & cellular support: Oxidative stress refers to a condition wherein the body produces more of unstable free radicals (reactive oxygen species that can cause cellular damage by reacting with protein, DNA, etc.). Intake of nutrients that help neutralise oxidative damage and support the hair follicle (tiny, bulb-like structure in the scalp that anchors the hair) health, help in reducing hair fall. An article noted that beyond nutritional quantity, the balance of nutrients and their support for cellular repair is important. [4]

2. Lifestyle & Psychological Factors

Lifestyle, habits and physiological factors affect hair health just as significantly as what we eat or apply externally.

Lifestyle: Habits like smoking or alcohol have a long-term impact on hair health. Smoking reduces blood flow to the scalp, thereby reducing nutrients reaching the scalp for hair growth. It also increases oxidative stress and DNA damage of the hair follicle and accelerates premature greying of hair.[5,6] Excessive alcohol consumption tends to deplete nutrients in the body necessary for hair growth, it also reduces nutrient uptake, thus impacting hair growth. Alcohol impacts liver function and causes hormone balance which may indirectly impact hair growth cycle. [2]

Stress & hair-cycle disruption: Chronic stress triggers the release of cortisol (a stress hormone) which impacts the hair growth cycle. Cortisol reduces the growth phase of the hair cycle and causes the hair to fall out early-on. It also slows down hair regeneration and affects the nutrients reaching the hair follicle. [7,8,9]

Sleep & recovery: Allowing the body to rest and stay calm can improve the body’s overall regenerative capacity. Deep sleep releases growth hormones that support protein synthesis in the body, thereby improving hair growth. Also, the stress hormones are regulated, thus reducing their negative impact on hair growth cycle. [9,10,11]

3. Scalp Health

Hair follicles go through growth (anagen), transition (catagen) and resting (telogen) phase. Interruptions in this cycle—whether due to internal or external stressors—reduces the growth phase or may cause increased hair fall.
Scalp issues & inflammation: Conditions like dandruff, fungal infections, excess oil or dryness may influence the ability of follicles to maintain healthy growth. They not only hinder the hair growth by clogging the hair follicles, but also compete for nutrient uptake by the cells.  Regular cleansing, and ensuring improved blood circulation via scalp massages can benefit the hair growth overall. [4,9]

4. Hormonal & Genetic Influences

Hair growth and hair cycle is influenced majorly by hormones and the genetic make-up of the body. 

Genetic Influence: The DNA largely determines the hair density, texture and hair thinning patterns. It is also partially the deciding factor of hair growth cycle and hair generation. 

Hormones: Hormonal changes, such as during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, thyroid disorders, or androgen (male-hormone like testosterone & DHT- dihydrotestosterone) may significantly impact hair growth, shedding and thickness. Female hormones like estrogen and progesterone (which see a decline during menopause, and fluctuations during pregnancy) promote the growth phase of the hair cycle. The male sex hormone testosterone (that converts to dihydrotestosterone; DHT) impacts scalp hair follicles thus reducing hair growth and increasing hair fall. Thyroid hormones regulate cell growth and hair pigmentation; therefore, their imbalance can impact hair growth cycle. [1,9]

Although genetic make-up of the body cannot be altered, the hormones and their impact can be regulated to some extent.

5. Environmental & External Influences

Hair is sensitive to external factors like: pollution, UV light, heat, styling. These factors influence hair growth, texture and shine.   

Pollution: Both urban and rural areas have their own set of pollutants. Urban pollutants (traffic emissions, industrial activity, construction dust) and rural pollutants (pesticides, agricultural dust, smoke from biomass burning) both have an impact on the scalp and hair strands. These pollutants disrupt follicle health, and may trigger inflammation at the scalp. [12]

UV light & physical hair damage: Both UVA and UVB (received from sunlight) are responsible for causing damage to hair - Both structural and chemical. They break down structural bonds in the hair shaft (such as disulfide bonds) reducing tensile strength, increasing porosity and making the hair brittle. [13]

Hair-styling practices: Excessive heat (blow-dryers, straighteners, curling), chemical treatments (hair coloring, perms), etc. can stress the hair shaft and the follicle. They impact hair elasticity and impact the follicle, resulting in excess hair fall. [14]

6. Ageing & Cumulative Wear & Tear

With ageing, all the above factors play a role in impacting the hair growth cycle. Nutrient absorption is hampered, nutrient supply to the hair follicle is no longer a priority for the body as other organs fail to work to their maximum capacity so the vital organs are catered to as a preference. The body is unable to fight back the environmental stressors efficiently, which impacts the hair follicles and hair growth. Hair becomes thinner, the growth rate slows down, hair strands become less pigmented, and more prone to breakage.

With age, hair generally becomes thinner, slower-growing, less pigmented, and more prone to breakage. [9,15]

Accumulated damage: The repeated stress from styling, environment, reduced repair-capacity and reduced cell turnover means hair at 40 or 50 may require different care than at 20.

Working to minimize the negative effects of alterable factors that influence hair health is what one should aim for.

Nutrova Kerastrength provides essential nutrients - both vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in our diet - that cater to hair growth and strength. The blend consists of potent antioxidants that work against environmental and physiological stressors. Lycopene is one such antioxidant which not only neutralises the stressors that cause oxidation and damage, but also helps with microcirculation. It also acts as a DHT blocker (male hormone that negatively impacts hair growth). Coenzyme Q10 supports hair follicle cell metabolism along with being an antioxidant itself, ensuring protection and energy needed for hair growth cycle. [16]

For cases wherein the underlying cause of hair fall is associated with genetics, hormones, or some underlying disease, Nutrova Kerastrength can then be used as a co-therapy for hair growth while also addressing the primary cause of hair fall.

References:

1. Rushton D. H. (2002). Nutritional factors and hair loss. Clinical and experimental dermatology, 27(5), 396–404. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2230.2002.01076.x

2. ICMR. (2020). Nutrient requirements for Indians. Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Nutrition.

3. Gomes, N., Silva, N., & Teixeira, B. (2025). Assessing the relationship between dietary factors and hair health: A systematic review. Nutrition and health, 2601060251367206. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02601060251367206

4. Rajput R. J. (2022). Influence of Nutrition, Food Supplements and Lifestyle in Hair Disorders. Indian dermatology online journal, 13(6), 721–724. https://doi.org/10.4103/idoj.idoj_175_22

5. Mosley, J. G., & Gibbs, A. C. (1996). Premature grey hair and hair loss among smokers: a new opportunity for health education?. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 313(7072), 1616. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.313.7072.1616

6. Trüeb R. M. (2009). Oxidative stress in ageing of hair. International journal of trichology, 1(1), 6–14. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7753.51923

7. Botchkarev V. A. (2003). Stress and the hair follicle: exploring the connections. The American journal of pathology, 162(3), 709–712. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9440(10)63866-7

8. Quist, S. R., & Quist, J. (2021). Keep quiet-how stress regulates hair follicle stem cells. Signal transduction and targeted therapy, 6(1), 364. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-021-00772-4

9. Trüeb R. M. (2005). Aging of hair. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 4(2), 60–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2005.40203.x

10. Steiger A. (2003). Sleep and endocrine regulation. Frontiers in bioscience : a journal and virtual library, 8, s358–s376. https://doi.org/10.2741/1055

11. Zouboulis C. C. (2009). The skin as an endocrine organ. Dermato-endocrinology, 1(5), 250–252. https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.1.5.9499

12. Samra, T., Lin, R. R., & Maderal, A. D. (2024). The Effects of Environmental Pollutants and Exposures on Hair Follicle Pathophysiology. Skin appendage disorders, 10(4), 262–272. https://doi.org/10.1159/000537745

13. Yang, S. J., Yu, H. J., Lee, J., Hwang, S. J., Kang, N. G., & Jeong, E. T. (2024). Effects of ultraviolet rays and particulate matter on hair porosity in damaged hair. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 23(11), 3735–3739. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16442

14. Dias, M. F. R. G., Loures, A. F., & Ekelem, C. (2021). Hair Cosmetics for the Hair Loss Patient. Indian journal of plastic surgery : official publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India, 54(4), 507–513. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1739241

15. Trüeb R. M. (2015). The impact of oxidative stress on hair. International journal of cosmetic science, 37 Suppl 2, 25–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12286

16. Littarru, G. P., & Tiano, L. (2007). Bioenergetic and antioxidant properties of coenzyme Q10: recent developments. Molecular biotechnology, 37(1), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12033-007-0052-y