My hair is full of split ends. Are there any shampoos that can help damaged hair? What about vitamin treatments? Can anything help my hair grow faster?
A. A split end is a sign that the hair cuticle – the outer layer of the hair shaft – is damaged and it is one of the most common hair problems. There is no evidence that vitamins either applied to hair or taken internally can affect hair unless you are suffering from a severe malnutrition, which is not common in the developed world. Protein, however, is one supplement that may help when applied to hair because the hair shaft itself is made primarily of protein. According to dermatologist Mary Gail Mercurio, a hair specialist at Columbia Center for Women’s Health, proteins containing shampoos and conditioners can penetrate through the cuticle and may help to smooth out the split end, giving hair a shinier, more even appearance. One of the most common proteins used is keratin, but according to Dr. Mercurio, most any protein will do. A protein treatment, however, may not be good for very fine hair because it may weigh it down and make it look limp and less fluffy. Protein does work well as a conditioner for thicker, coarser hair. Finally, hair grows on average one-half inch a month or six inches a year, and there is nothing that can speed it up.
Specialist in internal medicine and primary care.