Biotin. Biotin is an essential B vitamin (meaning we need to consume it daily) that's known to be important in hair and nail growth. "When patients have a biotin deficiency, they suffer from thinning, dry hair, and dry skin," says Zeichner.
Vitamin A for dry hair and skin
People struggling with chronically dry hair or skin should prioritize increasing the consumption of vitamin A. The vitamin is considered especially vital for all cells in the body and is linked with helping the skin glands create sebum.
Vitamin or mineral deficiency: Skin requires nutrients to keep it healthy. If you're not getting enough vitamin D, vitamin A, niacin, zinc, or iron, you can develop excessively dry skin.
A deficiency of zinc is often one cause of telogen effluvium or brittle hair. When it comes to zinc and hair loss, you don't want too much in the body or not enough. Zinc helps keep hormone levels regulated, which is one reason why it can help with hair loss.
Thyroid Hormone
In hypothyroidism, hair tends to be dry, brittle, dull, and diffusely thinned out – even eyebrow hair can fall out [9]!
using heat-based drying and styling tools too frequently. shampooing too often. using a shampoo with harsh ingredients, such as sulfates, that are drying for your type of hair. not using a conditioner often enough or one that's designed for your type of hair.
A large percentage of the population is deficient in vitamin D, and given that the nutrient is essential for skin hydration, supplementing with it may help combat dry skin ( 6 ).
A zinc deficiency can cause diffuse hair shedding and breakage — as well as other symptoms, such as stunted growth and poor immune system function. It is preferable to obtain zinc through your diet, rather than supplements.
The Hair Diet
Your hair craves healthy fats! So eat plenty of avocados, salmon, and olive oil. These foods are jam-packed with essential fatty acids, which can moisturize a dry scalp with natural oils.
Some causes of dry hair are: Excessive hair washing, or using harsh soaps or alcohols. Excessive blow-drying. Dry air due to the climate.
Vitamin A is also good for your hair as it helps in regeneration of hair follicles and protects against any damage. It is also responsible for the oil glands in your hair that keep your hair silky and moisturised.
Zinc supports hair growth, strengthens hair follicles and increases thickness. Just as zinc deficiency can cause hair loss, so can excess levels of zinc. Taking zinc supplements in moderation with proper medical advice is key.
Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Hair Loss? Vitamin D is metabolized in the skin by keratinocytes. These are skin cells that process keratin, a protein in hair, nails, and skin. When the body doesn't have enough vitamin D, keratinocytes in hair follicles have trouble regulating hair growth and shedding.
Scalp issues
While itchy and flaky scalp are result of dandruff in hair, seborrheic dermatitis might also spread to face, chest and groin. Having a healthy and nutritious diet can actually help in getting rid of such scalp issues. Low levels of Vitamin B2, B6 and B3 and zinc are major reason for scalp issues.
Typically dry hair appears flat and dull, think no shine. Dry hair is also usually more difficult to manage and when you touch it, it has a noticeably brittle texture i.e. knots and tangles, etc. If your hair isn't maintaining a blow-dry this can also be a sign that your hair is lacking hydration levels.
The sebaceous glands create sebum which is our natural scalp oil. Too much sebum means greasy looking hair. An increase in cortisol (the stress hormone) in puberty can lead to an excessively oily scalp and hair, too. On the other hand too much thyroid hormone, or hyperthyroidism, can cause very dry hair.
“A reduction in estrogen results in reduced sebum (oil) production, which normally lubricates the scalp. The result is dry skin and a flaky scalp,” says Kunin. And, since that hydrating scalp oil isn't there to work itself down your strands, hair is also drier, as well as duller, more brittle, and breakage-prone.