As many of you who know me know I had a Gastric Bypass done June 2nd last year. I have been struggling with my nutritional status and surgical recovery since then (naturally).

But something confuses me. I thought hair was essentially "Dead Cells".

#1 How can they get less healthy? By that I mean the already-grown out hair. I cna see new hair coming in being less healthy... but how can old hair get 'sick'?

#2 How, then, can it get healthier? I mean, using shampoos and conditioners would more or less be 'cosmetic' right? As in, it LOOKS healthier, but it isn't really, right?

#3 I have been using a Mega-Vitamin shampoo made by TIGI called Self-Absorbed Bed Head Shampoo. It was Recommomended by my stylist who knows my nutritional history and states that this will help my hair recover faster.

CAN hair recover? Or just LOOK better?

I just bought Dumb Blond Bed Head Conditioner which is supposed to assist hair that is damaged repair itself.

Am I just buying Pipe Dreams here???

Help!!

Hair is made of protein and is really only "dead" at the end of the final stage of growth when it falls out. While it does not contain blood vessels or nerves, hair is nourished by blood vessels in the papilla that extends into the follicle and, for a short distance, into the root of the hair. Dull and dry hair are caused by physical or chemical agents. Using shampoos and conditioners that contain alcohol can be one culprit.

Additionally, diet and nutrition affects the health of one's hair. Since hair is protein, a diet that is deficient in protein will cause hair loss. A low calorie diet also causes hair loss because you are not getting the sufficient amount of protein needed. Dry hair is caused when diet is deficient of fatty acids. Chicken, fish, and nuts are protein rich and contain the essential fatty acids needed to improve hair strength and helps your body to produce natural oils which add shine to your hair.

And yes, you are correct. Once hair is damaged there is no repair for it. Over the counter products advertise that the "repair" hair but best they do is coat the hair, smoothing down the hair shaft, and giving the appearance of healthier hair.

#1 Hair can get less healthy (sick) by damaging it. This can be done many ways. You could brush your hair too hard and pull out strands or break the hair. You can over process by using harsh chemicals or dye it too much. You can not get regular haircuts. When hair gets split ends, the split will goes all the way up to the root. You can also cause harm to the hair by over drying with a blow dryer or from hot styling aides. If your curling iron is too hot, this can ruin your hair. You can also ruin your hair by knotting it, ratting it, using a bad rubber band which rips your hair or by not using a conditioner.

#2 Start getting regular trims. (every 6-8 weeks). Use a conditioner and a wide tooth comb. Start from the ends and slowly work your way up. Be gentle. Try not to dry your hair all the way. Let it air dry a little. Don't wear your hair in a ponytail. Lay off the harsh hairspray. Take your vitamins.

#3 Make sure you use the conditioner!