Caring for Your Client’s Gray Hair

CARING FOR YOUR CLIENT’S

By Martina Candido, Biologist, Research and Development, Cesare Ragazzi Laboratories

Keeping your clients hair as healthy as possible, and its natural integrity, is an important element of successfully caring for your client’s existing hair.

Hair has its own way of showing its age and it is mainly represented by aesthetic and structural defects. It can be fragile, brittle, porous, dull, dry and thinning, especially at the ends, and loses its normal pigment, becoming white. However, these characteristics may not be due to age alone, but may also depend on other factors such as improper diet, psychological or physical stress, or even medications that can lead to an alteration of the biological cycle and regeneration of the cells of the scalp. However, the first sign related to hair aging is the appearance of white hair, which is a physiological phenomenon related to a decrease in the activity of melanocytes. White hairs can first apprear on the temples, then towards the vertex.

What can we do to maintain healthy hair? Let’s take a look at some tricks.

Antioxidants

Powerful anti radicals that protect the hair and keep it young, healthy and elastic. We always choose products and treatments that include them. The most effective are Sichuan pepper, guarana, castor oil and argan oil and red fruits( berries). Among these, blueberry and red berries are most protective against the signs of aging.

Stress reduction

Damage caused by stress alters the normal biochemical functions of the hair follicle, hormonal functions and causes the formation of free radicals, responsible for oxidation and damage to the cell structure. A consequent alteration in the production of keratinocytes damages the enzymes and molecules of the hair bulb, triggering an acceleration in the aging of the hair structure.

Sun exposure

UVA and UVB rays are “accelerators of aging” and it is necessary to protect the hair with thermal protection and with hats and scarves. Products with extracts of sunflower seed are highly protective for the hair fiber and improve its brightness.

Anti-aging treatments for hair

It is not possible to stop the natural aging of hair, however, some measures can help slow down those aspects typical of advancing age. We can prevent hair aging by paying attention to how we treat and care for it. The first anti-aging treatment is the shampoo, which should be chosen according to the needs of the scalp. Nourishing and moisturizing masks are essential. The watchword is “antioxidants,” and it is important to include in our hair care routine products that contain them in big quantity. The most effective antioxidants for the hair are the vitamins present in extracts of seaweed, edelweiss and cinnamon.

Essential oils are the antioxidants par excellence, used since ancient times, especially essential oil of orange, juniper, argan, olive and thuja occidentalis.

Both water during shampooing and the hair water during shampooing should be cool or warm. This also keeps the hair shiny.

Finally, a healthy lifestyle and diet that includes anti-aging foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, oily fish, soybean sprouts, flaxseed, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds. Vitamins B and C are essential. All B vitamins act in synergy with each other to keep the metabolism of the hair follicle in balance and must be constantly introduced into our body because they are poorly produced and stored by our cells. In addition, cigarette smoking, the abuse of refined foods, excessive intake of alcohol, coffee and drugs deactivate their precious action.

Technologies

There are new technologies to improve the scalp condition. Ozone therapy promotes tissue oxygenation and a better supply of nutrients to the bulb. LLLP and LED light improves the metabolism of the bulb and slows down follicle aging.

With these actions, premature aging of the hair can be delayed.