From the days of the Flinstones variety, we were told it was important to ensure we get enough vitamins every day. One of the most important, also offered to us in the form of copious amounts of orange juice, was vitamin C. That still holds true today, and as we get a bit older, it turns out that a dose of C could be an important tool in our battle against dry, brittle hair.
Hair is a nonessential tissue, which means it doesn’t draw any nutrients if your body is lacking in another area. This is especially unfortunate because hair cells are the fastest-growing cells in our body, so if they aren’t getting adequate amounts of nutrients, it will show. These days, it’s not uncommon to style our hair into a damaged state by having color treatments, blow drying it, using a curling iron, or doing any of the other activities we do to our hair. These actions, while beautifying, are damaging and cause our hair to need more nutrients than ever.
Vitamin C can play a vital role in our hair’s health and overall appearance. It’s also integral for the proper absorption of other nutrients, including iron. Because vitamin C is water-soluble, our bodies cannot make it on their own, so we have to find various methods to ensure we get enough of it each day. When it comes to vitamin C deficiencies, you can experience a myriad of hair issues if you’re in short supply. These include hair loss and even the inability to grow hair past a certain point. These shortages can come from either an inadequate diet or our body’s inability to absorb it fully.
Causes of Vitamin C Deficiency
Vitamin C deficiencies are caused by a variety of reasons. Diet, lifestyle choices, and even cooking methods can play a role in causing a shortage. Did you know that overcooking a meal can cause the food to deplete the level of vitamin C? Shortages in your diet, or having an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, can also lead to a lack of vitamin C. Finally, the lifestyle choices we make, including smoking or alcohol abuse, can lead to a lower absorption rate of vitamin C. The same goes for various illnesses.
Effects of Vitamin C Deficiency
A vitamin C deficit can lead to a variety of health woes. These include anemia, fatigue, sore arms and legs, decreased red blood cells, gum disease, and even sudden weight loss or weight gain, particularly with an increase in belly fat. It can also have physical effects, like dry, brittle hair. Extreme deficiencies in vitamin C have also been linked to depression or even cognitive impairment.
Treatments
For now, we’ll focus primarily on the treatments that are directly associated with the effects on hair. Keep in mind that many will also positively affect other issues you might experience because of a vitamin C deficiency, but we’ll mostly look at how hair is involved.
To start, supplements and a healthy diet can help alleviate many of the issues associated with a lack of vitamin C. Iron supplements intended for hair growth must also have vitamin C to help with iron absorption. When it comes to dietary choices, oranges, lemons, guava berries, broccoli, peppers, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and fortified cereals are just a few of the foods that are excellent ways to increase the amount of vitamin C in your diet.
If supplements and dietary changes aren’t working, you can consider topical products like Cellex C, which is commonly used as an anti-aging exfoliating treatment. Such products can have similar benefits for hair health. If you want to go directly to the source, consider buying vitamin C powder and mixing it with your shampoo.
The process can lift your hair, similar to what might happen when you bleach it. If you’re interested in removing color through the use of vitamin C, it’s a safe and gentle method that won’t damage your hair.
Closing Thoughts
Vitamin C is crucial in promoting hair health and contributing to hair growth and strength. As a powerful antioxidant, it helps protect hair follicles from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which can damage hair cells and lead to hair thinning or loss. Vitamin C is essential for producing collagen, a protein that strengthens the scalp’s connective tissues and promotes healthy hair structure. Collagen also supports blood circulation in the scalp, ensuring hair follicles receive the necessary nutrients to grow strong, vibrant hair.
Another important benefit of vitamin C is its role in iron absorption. Iron deficiency is a common cause of hair loss, and vitamin C enhances the body’s ability to absorb non-heme iron from plant-based foods. This can help prevent anemia-related hair loss and improve overall hair growth. Additionally, vitamin C helps combat dandruff and dry, flaky scalps by maintaining healthy skin on the scalp, which is essential for hair nourishment.
Incorporating foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens, into your diet can help support healthier, shinier hair. For those with dietary limitations, supplements may also be beneficial in ensuring adequate vitamin C intake for optimal hair health.
Having healthy hair can make a huge difference in our overall appearance. To ensure you’re looking your best, treat your hair with the love and care it deserves. This includes a healthy diet with plenty of vitamin C and iron. Try to lessen the use of heating products (or use a heat protectant) and treat your hair with a special mask or conditioning treatment on occasion. You can even try a DIY hair mask using ingredients from your kitchen. One example from stylecaster.com is to blend a pre-boiled, but not fully cooked, sweet potato, a half cup of gooseberries, three strawberries, and half of a small red bell pepper until you get a creamy smooth mixture, then apply to scalp and hair. Leave the mask on for 15-to-25 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.
Now, go enjoy your healthy, beautiful hair!
Vitamin C Products for Hair
Pros: Supercharged with vitamin C to help protect hair from environmental aggressors.
Pros: Contains a vitamin C complex for hair shine and vibrancy.
Pros: A safe, efficacious delivery system of high dose Vitamin C and R Lipoic Acid in one formulation
Pros: Super translucent, absorbs excess oils, and eliminates odors while refreshing hair between washes.
Pros: It stimulates hair growth by utilizing pure vitamins C and E to penetrate deeply into the hair shafts. It also energizes cells for improved follicle performance and activity.
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