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Skin, Hair and Nails: What Affects Their Condition and What Can We Influence?
Skin, hair and nails: what affects their condition?
Drier skin, more hair in your brush or brittle nails can have various causes. Learn what to look out for, when to seek professional advice and how to approach nutrition.
What has changed and what could it mean?
| Area | What to look out for | What this cannot tell you |
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Dryness, tightness, sensitivity, new patches or changes in pigmentation. | A specific nutrient deficiency based on appearance alone. |
| Hair | Increased shedding, gradual thinning or breakage along the lengths. | One common cause for all types of hair loss. |
| Nails | Brittleness or changes in colour, thickness or the surrounding skin. | A diagnosis based on a single ridge or white spot. |
Hair has its own growth cycle
The visible part of a hair, the hair shaft, consists mainly of keratin proteins. Hair grows from a follicle within the skin. Individual hairs grow in cycles, so some shedding is natural.
| Phase | What happens |
|---|---|
| Anagen | The period of active growth. |
| Catagen | A transitional phase during which growth comes to an end. |
| Telogen | The resting phase; the hair is subsequently shed and the cycle can continue. |
Look for changes from your usual pattern. Shedding an entire hair and breaking a damaged hair shaft are different situations.
↑ Back to contentsWhy might hair become thinner?
Causes include hereditary thinning, hormonal changes, scalp conditions, deficiencies in certain nutrients and the effects of medication. Hairstyles that pull on the hair over time and damaging styling practices can also play a role.
Increased shedding may appear several months after childbirth, illness, surgery or significant stress. Timing alone, however, does not confirm a diagnosis.
Genetics can be important in gradual thinning; hair colour and growth can also change with age. Greying is not straightforward evidence of a vitamin deficiency.
Source: AAD – causes of hair loss.
What can affect your nails?
The nail plate consists mainly of keratin. Its appearance is affected by nail growth and repeated exposure to water, cleaning products and mechanical stress.
Wear gloves when cleaning or washing dishes. Remember to moisturise your hands after washing. Do not use your nails as tools or damage the surrounding cuticles.
A new colour change, pain or swelling is more than a cosmetic concern. See a dermatologist if a change persists; if you have diabetes or poor circulation, do not delay having nail problems assessed.
Source: AAD – nail care.
↑ Back to contentsNutrition: focus on your needs, not the highest dose
An adequate intake of energy, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals is important for normal body function. A persistently restrictive diet or rapid weight loss is therefore an important part of a discussion about hair and skin.
If an iron or other nutrient deficiency is suspected, an individual assessment makes sense. The tests needed depend on symptoms, diet and medical history; there is no single compulsory set of tests for everyone.
Do not start taking iron or high doses of several beauty supplements based only on the appearance of your hair or nails. First, list what you already take and identify any overlapping ingredients.
Biotin: what should you know before a blood test?
Biotin is a B vitamin. Although it is promoted for hair, skin and nails, evidence for the benefits of supplementation in healthy people is limited. A high number on the label does not guarantee hair growth.
Any break from supplementation should follow healthcare professionals’ instructions for the specific test. A universal interval for all doses and tests is not an appropriate rule.
Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements – Biotin.
↑ Back to contentsWhat should you note before choosing an approach?
| Question | What to write down |
|---|---|
| When did it start? | The approximate date and whether the onset was sudden or gradual. |
| What exactly is changing? | The location, extent, pain, itching or other symptoms. |
| What happened beforehand? | Illness, childbirth, surgery, stress, weight loss or a change in treatment. |
| What do I use and take? | Cosmetics, medicines and supplements, including doses. |
| What happens next? | Whether the change improves, persists or gets worse. |
A photograph taken in similar lighting can help document changes over time. This is not a way to diagnose yourself; a record makes it easier to describe the problem to a professional.
↑ Back to contentsWhen should you seek professional advice?
- Sudden, marked shedding or patches of hair loss.
- A painful, inflamed or very itchy scalp.
- A new, changing, bleeding or non-healing area of skin.
- A significant new nail change, pain or swelling around the nail.
- Problems that persist or get worse despite switching to a gentler care routine.
An examination helps identify the cause. A new product may change your skincare routine, but it does not replace this assessment.
↑ Back to contentsExplore your question further
Skin ageing, individual ingredients and specific creams are covered in separate articles. Choose the topic you need:
Frequently asked questions
Is all hair loss caused by a vitamin deficiency?
No. There can be several causes; the pattern, other symptoms and professional assessment matter.
Can shedding appear some time after an illness?
Yes. With some types of shedding, several months can pass between the trigger and the change.
Can a nutrient deficiency be identified by the appearance of nails?
The appearance of a nail alone is not enough to identify a specific deficiency.
Should I mention my collagen drink before a blood test too?
Yes. List all supplements; some collagen products also contain biotin.
Where can I find a selection of products?
In the Skin, hair and nails advice guide. However, if you have significant new symptoms, start by identifying the cause.
Sources and notice
- American Academy of Dermatology: Hair loss causes
- AAD: Healthy nail tips
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Biotin
This article does not replace an individual medical examination, diagnosis or treatment.