Aug 3, 2022

Does yoga influence your hair health?

Dra.-Andrea-Combalia

Have you ever thought about how practicing yoga can influence your hair health ? Perhaps at first it may seem to you that both topics have little relationship, but they do have a lot. As a dermatologist and yoga teacher, in this article I explain it to you so that you know the great benefits of this traditional practice.

First, let's talk about stress

Did you know that stress is known as the great disease of the 21st century and is the cause of various hair pathologies? On the one hand, stress increases cases of hair loss, which we technically know as “effluvia.” These occur when the hair growth cycle is altered, causing a loss of more than 100 hairs a day and a decrease in hair density in people who suffer from it.

On the other hand, increased levels of cortisol (the hormone released in response to stress) increases cases of androgenetic alopecia , since cortisol has a direct effect on the hair growth cycle in both men and women. . But this is not all! Stress can also be the trigger for an outbreak of certain autoimmune alopecia , such as alopecia areata.

As dermatologists and trichologists, we can prescribe specific treatments for these situations, but if stress levels remain high, these treatments will probably be less effective .

The effects of stress on hair

The effect of yoga on stress levels

In the world we live in, stress is the norm and, through yoga, we can learn to control it. Virtually all hair care routines and hair treatments work infinitely better if there is something inside that changes.

Why resort to yoga and meditation? The fact that more and more people are joining these practices is not a matter of fashion and nor is it causality. Yoga is an ancient practice that exercises both the mind and the body, and combines physical postures, controlled breathing, and meditation or relaxation. Yoga can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and lower heart rate. Although each body has different abilities, yoga is accessible to everyone and can be adapted to different intensities .

The approach to hair pathologies must always be global , and we must adapt it to the current times, in which intense work schedules and lack of free time are the present model. With the current lifestyle, which entails an inappropriate diet in many cases, we need the solution to go much further, and complement the various medical treatments with techniques that help us control the levels of cortisol in our body.

Therefore, addressing stress is essential when we treat hair pathology , since, by reducing cortisol levels, our body will no longer feel in a state of constant alert and the influence of stress on our skin, our hair and the The rest of our organs will be minimized. Managing stress is within our reach, and taking care of our skin and hair often also involves looking inward, relaxing and taking time for ourselves.

In addition to practicing yoga and reducing stress levels, eating a healthy diet and including nutricosmetics rich in vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants such as Olistic in your routine will help you keep your hair health in optimal conditions.

The hairstyle when practicing yoga also influences the quality of your hair

Now you know why practicing yoga can help you reduce stress levels, and thus maintain healthy hair. But you should know that there is an important point that must also be taken into account when practicing yoga and that you probably had not considered until now: Did you know that the hairstyles you choose and the way you tie your hair also influence your health? of your hair?

In order to enjoy yoga practice, it is advisable to keep your face clear. However, you should know that there is a type of alopecia, which we know as “tractional alopecia”, which is characterized by hair loss in areas of tension in hairstyles , especially when very tight ponytails, tight braids or hair are worn. accessories such as tweezers and clips that exert tension on the roots of our hair.

The ideal way to comb your hair and put your hair up to practice yoga, minimizing damage to our scalp, is not to use strong ties or straps, and to avoid medium-length updos so that, in this way, the head can rest comfortably on the hair. the mat when we stretch on it face up during practice.

Aug 3, 2022
Dra.-Andrea-Combalia