If you are currently suffering from dry hair, then there is a possibility that this is a result of dehydration! If you suspect this could be the case, keep reading because I’ve got the answer.
Mild dehydration can cause your hair to appear dry, less lustrous, and less healthy than it usually does because your hair follicles are deprived of much-needed hydration. With moderate to severe dehydration, your hair can become thin, dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage. This can lead to hair thinning and hair loss if left untreated.
Keep reading to find out exactly how dehydration affects your hair, as well as some telltale signs that you may be dehydrated!
How Dehydration Affects The Hair & Skin
Interestingly, water makes up 25% of the weight of a single strand of your hair! So it would make sense that keeping hydrated plays a vital role in ensuring your hair is healthy and strong. Keep reading to find out how dehydration affects our hair and skin!
Water is a vital source of minerals, which are the most crucial nutrients needed for healthy hair. That said, water is needed to lubricate hair follicles to stimulate hair growth. If you are dehydrated, the circulation in your scalp will decrease, thus making your hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage, which can eventually lead to balding.
01. Water affects how your hair grows
Aside from promoting overall health, adequate hydration directly influences the growth of your hair. Water is a source of energy for every single cell in your body, and this includes cells that generate hair growth.
Since our body is comprised of 60% water, it needs constant fluid-intake in order or it to function optimally. Your hair follicles are actually the faster-growing tissue in your entire body, so these will be the most affected!
02. Dehydration can cause hair loss & thinning
A lack of water can cause your hair to become extremely dry, and eventually break and split. This can disrupt new hair growth as a result, and over time you may begin to notice bald patches or thinning hair.
03. Dehydration can cause dandruff
Not drinking enough water can result in your scalp becoming dry, itchy, and flaky. The build-up of dead skin cells and dirt can actually block your pores and hair follicles, which can also disrupt hair growth.
The constant scratching can also result in open sores and even infection i left untreated, which can worsen hair loss.
04. Dehydration causes frizz
If your hair is constantly frizzy, then chances are your hydration levels may be super low! Frizz is ultimately a result of dry hair, and as we have gathered, this is a common effect of dehydration.
In fact, experts suggest that you should be consuming half your body weight in water daily. For example, if you weigh 150lbs, you should aim to drink 75 oz. of water per day.
05. Dehydration prevents your body from eliminating toxins
Dehydration actually prevents your body from eliminating toxins through your skin, which makes you more susceptible to skin disorders such as dryness, premature wrinkling, psoriasis, and eczema.
This can also affect your scalp and your hair, making you prone to dandruff and other scalp issues that can potentially result in hair loss or hair thinning.
According to Dr. Julian Seifter, a kidney specialist, your body requires 30 to 50 ounces of water daily to function optimally, but this should be consumed throughout the day, not all at once.
10 Telltale Signs You May Be Dehydrated
While it is common knowledge that you should be drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily to stay hydrated, each person has different needs depending on their body and their lifestyle. It is therefore important that you know the signs of dehydration, so that you can hydrate yourself as soon as possible!
An easy telltale sign of dehydration that you can notice with you is if your hair seems to be getting tangled more often and easier than before. You may see other hair changes if you are dehydrated because your hair looks weak and unable to hold heat styles; you will also notice that your hair will have more split-ends and have a dry appearance.
Keep reading to find out what the other telltale signs of dehydration are!
01. You feel thirsty
While this one may seem obvious, it is one of the most common signs that you are in desperate need of some H20! In fact, by the time you are feeling thirsty, your body is already dehydrated and is crying for some liquids!
In fact, you should never allow yourself to get to this stage, as the damage is done. To avoid this, keep a bottle of water on you throughout the day and sip regularly. Your hair will thank you for it!
02. Your lips are dry and cracked
According to nutritionists, another key sign that your body is dehydrated is dry and cracked lips. The outer parts of your appearance are often a pretty good indicator of what is going on inside your body, so always be aware of these changes.
03. You have a flaky scalp
A dry and flaky scalp is another telltale sign that you are severely dehydrated! If you notice small flakes of dry skin near your hairline or an itchy sensation and dead skin falling when you scratch, it may be time to pick up a glass of water!
04. Your skin’s elasticity
According to Dr. Jason Marr, skin turgor, or otherwise known as your skin elasticity, is a genuine medical assessment of hydration levels. To perform this hydration test at home, simply pinch the skin on the back of your hand for three seconds and release it.
If your skin doesn’t snap back immediately, you’re likely to be suffering from moderate to severe dehydration!
05. You’re always hungry
Did you know that constantly feeling hungry, especially if you eat regular meals, is actually a sign of dehydration?
According to the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the hypothalamus (part of your brain that regulates hunger and thirst) often confuses hunger with thirst, meaning you could be reaching for that snack when you should be reaching for a glass of water!
06. You have bad breath
If you regularly brush your teeth and floss, yet your breath is smelling less than favorable, then this may be an indication that your body needs some fluids.
This is because, when you are dehydrated, your body produces less saliva. Since saliva works to clean your mouth, the lack of it will result in more bacteria and bad breath.
07. You regularly suffer from headaches
When you become dehydrated, your brain tissue loses water which causes your brain to shrink and pull away from your skull. This in turn triggers the pain receptors in your brain, which gives you a headache. Dehydration also causes your blood volume to drop, which lowers the blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
If you are suffering from headaches frequently, this could be a telltale sign that you need to increase your water intake.
08. Your eyes are sunken in
Dehydration is a common culprit when it comes to sunken eyes or darkened skin around the eyes. The skin surrounding your eye is very close to your bone, and lack of water intake can result in the blood vessels becoming more visible.
This is why many people have sunken eyes after a night of heavy drinking, as your body is severely dehydrated!
09. Your memory is declining
Another possible sign of dehydration is loss of memory, or simply finding that you are more forgetful than you usually are. Since dehydration directly influences how your brain functions, this could be a good reason to pick up a glass of water and down it!
10. You have a fever or chills
Having a fever or chills is a very dangerous indication of severe dehydration. This is due to the fact that your body battles to maintain a regular body temperature when it is lacking in fluids. This results in hyperthermia or hypothermia!
Just like feeling thirsty, you should never allow your body to get to this point of dehydration, as this is almost life-threatening.
Final Thoughts
After reading this article, I’m sure you now understand the importance of staying hydrated, not only for the health of your hair but for your whole body too! Remember to always watch out for signals of dehydration, but most importantly make sure you are drinking the recommended quantity of water daily to prevent this.