How do you know you’re physically getting old? Is it an increase in backaches? Nah, we’ve been experiencing back-aches since we were 20. Is it the smile lines? Maybe, maybe not. Oh wait, here’s a good guess: grey hair?

Whether we admit it or not, there’s no better indication for aging than grey hair. Although we know full well that everyone experiences it, there’s something about seeing your first grey hair that feels strange. It makes us almost in denial, really.

In this article, we’ll talk about grey hair: all about it and why we get grey hair in the first place!

Why do we get grey hair

Grey hair is one of the undeniable signs of aging. But why exactly do we get it? What is it with aging that causes our hair to completely change color, like a printer running out of ink?

First of all, many people all over the world experience natural color change, not just greying. Some people are born with a head of blond hair, only to grow brown hair when they’re older and vice versa. Greying, however, seems to be a phenomenon that is attributed mainly to aging.

The cause of this color change, including greying, is the pigment cells in your hair follicles called melanin. Melanin dictates what color your hair is. It’s also the same thing that gives your skin its color. The more melanin, the darker the color is. But as we get older, we eventually lose melanin in our hair. This causes the greying, and eventually whiting, of our hair strands.

Grey hair factors

But why do some people get grey hair earlier than others? There are many factors why we get grey hair when we do. Here are the most common ones.

Diet and Nutrition

The melanin production in your body is greatly affected by your nutrition. Those who get too little protein, vitamin B12, biotin, and phenylalanine in their diet may suffer from hair-related problems, including early greying.

Race and Ethnicity

We mentioned above that melanin affects skin color too, right? This means that melanin production actually differs depending on one’s race and ethnicity. For example, Caucasians have the least amount of melanin, which means they tend to experience grey hair much earlier than their African counterparts. On average, lighter-skinned people tend to get grey strands at around 35 years old, while darker-skinned people get them at around 40 years old. By age 50 though, people usually have an equal percentage of grey strands, regardless of race and ethnicity.

Genetics

Sadly, a lot of premature greying cases can also be attributed to genes. Simply put, if your grandfather and mother experienced their first white hair before the age of 35, there’s a good chance that you’ll experience that same too. The DNA that dictated your hair follicles are passed down from generation to generation, after all.

Disorders

There are some disorders that can also cause early greying. For example, some autoimmune diseases like alopecia and vitiligo can cause your strands to become grey earlier than they were supposed to. With these disorders, your body’s immune system will mistakenly attack its own cells, which includes the pigment cells melanin, causing you to lose your hair color.

Thyroid problems, like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can also cause early greying or whiting. These disorders can mess up with your hormones, which can, in turn, affect several bodily functions. It’s known to cause bodies to produce less melanin, for instance, which is why some people who have this disorder have early grey or white strands.

Did you learn about grey hair from this article? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
For more hair articles, don’t forget to check out our ZALA blog!

PUBLISHED 22ND JANUARY 2020

What Causes Straw-Like Hair?

Have you ever experienced having straw-like hair? If you have, then you’ll know that it’s one of the most annoying things in the world. Not only does it look and feel unpleasant, but it can also make you lose confidence in your appearance. After all, your hair is your crowning glory.

So, what causes straw-like hair? Actually, there are many, many reasons that cause your hair to have this texture. Here are just some of them.

1. You use heat too often

One of the biggest causes of straw-like hair is using heat too often. As we’ve said time and time again on this blog, heat can be quite destructive on your strands. Overusing heat-styling tools can cause your hair to slowly become more dehydrated, leading to straw-like strands in the long run.

2. You have rebonded hair

Rebonded hair, like other treated hair, can be extremely prone to becoming straw-like. Due to the process that your hair undertakes during rebonding treatments, it becomes much weaker to various factors such as heat and chemicals. This means that rebonded hair is much more likely to attain a straw-like texture than normal hair.

3. You shampoo too much

Too much shampooing strips your hair of the moisture that it desperately needs. A good rule of thumb for most people is that you don’t shampoo more than 3x a week. For many, washing their hair with shampoo more than that is bound to result in straw-like strands.

4. You don’t trim your hair

Long hair is very prone to getting split ends and straw-like ends. Why is that? Well, simply put, the ends of your strands are the last parts of your hair that receive moisture from the roots. Sadly, it’s not uncommon to see normal healthy hair with dry and brittle ends.

If this happens to you, the only way to combat it is to trim all the dry ends off. Make sure to regularly schedule a trim too at least every few months.

5. You don’t use a detangler

How do you comb your hair? Do you simply pull on your hair with your comb or brush, hoping that the tangles come out? Stop. If your hair seems to be getting more tangles than usual, why not use a detangler instead? Detangles are typically wide-toothed combs with special teeth that help your hair detangle easier. Trying to detangle your hair forcefully will only lead to breakages, which can then result in your hair taking on a straw-like texture.

6. You skip the conditioner

If your hair is already suffering from dryness, the worst thing you can possibly do is to skip the conditioner. Dry hair needs the most moisture and nourishment, making it the perfect time for you to actually start using copious amounts of conditioner.

7. It’s summertime

One big reason for straw-like hair is the weather. While we may love the sunny weather and all, too much sunshine can actually be quite harmful to our strands. That’s why it’s important to always use sunscreen, especially during the summertime. In addition to this, summertime is usually the period when most people are exposed to saltwater, chlorine, or dry weather, which all contribute to straw-like hair.
For more hair tips and tricks, don’t forget to check out our ZALA blog!

PUBLISHED 20TH JANUARY 2020

What Causes Static Hair

You’ve probably already experienced this: you comb your hair, and then the moment you move the comb away from your hair, some strands stick to it. You know, like a magnet. In a way, it’s actually pretty cool.

That’s a practical example of something we call static. It occurs because your hair is transferring electrons to the comb, thereby producing static electricity. But the thing is, it doesn’t happen every time, right? So exactly what causes static hair?

What Causes Static Hair?

Static is a result of friction, which is what happens when you rub two things together. In instances like that, one thing loses electrons, becoming positively charged, while the other thing gains electors, becoming negatively charged. The resulting effect is static electricity.

In this case, your comb is rubbing against your strands. Since your hair has plenty of electrons, it ends up transferring some to the comb. The hair, in this case, becomes a conductor of static electricity.

The best time to see static electricity is during winter, or basically just the coldest time of the year. That’s because winter air is very dry and has no moisture, which charges up electrons. In humid environments, it’s very rare to see static hair since there’s plenty of moisture in the atmosphere.

How To Prevent Static Hair

Although it’s a cool phenomenon, some people don’t like getting static hair because it always makes their hair look frizzy. Obviously, this could be rather annoying at times. Here are some tips on how to prevent static hair.

Moisturize your hair

Static usually forms in dry environments, which is why dry hair is a perfect conductor of static electricity. If you have extremely dry hair, it’s best to use products that are meant to restore moisture back to your strands. This includes using a conditioner, applying hair masks, and hydrating with hair serums.

Use hairspray

Spraying hairspray on your comb can help prevent your hair from creating static. In fact, there are some hairsprays that were specifically formulated to prevent static. Hairsprays can also help keep loose strands away from your face, so win-win, right?

Braid your hair

A quick solution to prevent static hair is to simply braid your hair. You can do this at night before you go to sleep. Let down your hair in the morning, and you’ll see that you not only have static-free hair, you also have gorgeous wavy locks.

Don’t wear clothes made from synthetic materials

Synthetic materials, like those made from polyester or nylon, typically carry a static charge that could get transferred to your strands. The best materials in this case are silk, cotton, or wool.

Don’t use plastic combs

Plastic combs are also more prone to giving your static hair. Some examples of combs that don’t produce static are metallic combs, ceramic combs, and wooden combs. You can also try boar bristle brushes or wide-toothed combs, as these don’t lead to static hair.

Now you know what causes static hair! For more hair tips and tricks, don’t forget to check out our ZALA blog!

PUBLISHED 12TH JANUARY 2020

7 Hair Habits To Adopt This 2020

Happy new year everyone! Are you ready for a fun and fresh 2020? It’s not easy to kick bad habits from the last year, but that’s not really a reason not to, is it? Plus, it always feels better to develop good habits instead of bad!

Here are 7 hair habits to adopt this 2020 for healthier, stronger, and more beautiful hair!

1. Turn off the hot water

Hot water may feel good on the skin, but honestly, it’s not so good for your strands. Instead, you should be using cold water. It may not feel as glorious, but your hair will certainly thank you for it.

2. Brush your hair daily

Daily brushing has a load of benefits for your hair. It improves blood circulation, helps clean your scalp, and solves tangle problems before they get worse.

3. Start using a hair serum

Hair serums can work wonders for your hair. It doesn’t take too long to apply either, so there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t be using one. Just remember, there are many hair serums used for different hair types and issues so make sure to select one that matches your need exactly.

4. Use a heat protectant before styling

Since heat is one of your hair’s biggest enemies, it only makes sense that you should protect your hair from direct heat. The best way to do this is to use a heat protectant before you style your hair with heat tools like blowdryers, curling irons, or flat irons.

5. Always apply hair sunscreen

The sun can do a lot of damage to your hair, more than you’d think, actually. If your skin becomes discolored and wrinkled after long periods of exposure to the sun, your hair becomes bleached and dehydrated. That’s why it’s important to apply hair sunscreen every time you’re out and about.

6. Change your pillowcases to silk

Cotton pillowcases aren’t actually that good for your hair, believe it or not. The fabric can cause friction whenever you move in your sleep, and this can lead to frizzy and straw-like hair. To combat this, simply change your pillowcases to silk.

7. Stop tying your hair too tight

High ponytails can look really hot, but make sure not to do them too tight. See, tying your hair too tight can harm your hair follicles and even accidentally break your strands. Try to loosen up a little bit! If you’re the kind of person who’s known for too-tight ponytails, it’s time to kick this habit once and for all this coming 2020.

What hair habits are you planning to adopt this 2020? Feel free to leave a comment here on the ZALA blog!

PUBLISHED 2ND JANUARY 2020

Best Hair Tips To End Your Year

Only a few hours until the end of the year! We’re still trying to check off all our new year’s resolutions for this year, but on the other hand, we’re totally ready for 2020.

For that last hurrah, here’s a list of our best hair tips to end your year on a positive note!

1. Throw out all old products

If you’re like a lot of people, you probably also have a large stack of old products that you no longer use, but still won’t discard. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, of course, but it does pose a problem when the products are already too old or even expired.

Don’t take all your old hair products into the new year. Determine which ones you use often and don’t hesitate to discard the ones that you no longer want or use. If you’re uncertain, check each and every single one for their expiration dates. Definitely throw out all the expired ones, as they shouldn’t be going anywhere near your strands. Even if it hasn’t expired yet, it’s good to clear out your stash every now and then.

2. Get rid of all excess baggage

Are split ends and damaged hair weighing you down? One of the best hair tips to end your year is to get rid of all the excess baggage in the form of damaged or broken strands.

Sure, it might have taken you a long time to grow your hair out, but damaged hair is not worth holding on to, no matter how much you love your length. For one, broken strands can never be repaired. They will remain broken until they break off completely, or you cut them off. Two, damaged hair will, as already mentioned, eventually break off, and broken ends look far worse than any bad haircut.

3. Start the new year with a fresh cut

Speaking of haircuts, doesn’t it feel great to start the new year with a fresh cut? Regardless if it’s a chill pixie cut or a beautiful lob, getting a new hairstyle always feels good. Sometimes, that’s really all we want, don’t we?

Now, do this for the new year, and it’s like welcoming the decade with a fresh start. Need we say more?

4. Write down your New Year Hair Resolutions

Who loves writing down new year hair resolutions? We certainly do! And if you’re the kind of person who also enjoys setting goals and ticking off checkboxes, then perhaps creating a new year’s list specifically for your hair would work wonders for you too.

For more hair tips and tricks, don’t forget to check out our ZALA blog!

PUBLISHED 31ST DECEMBER 2019

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