Dear Betsy, I just want to start this letter by saying a big thank you for all the advice and help you give through your column.

Your page is the first I turn to when I pick up my copy of GulfWeekly. I am writing for your expert opinion about hair care. My friends and I have noticed that after being in Bahrain for several years our hair has become thinner, limp and unhealthy looking. I believe much of the problem is because of the harsh water we use here.

Apart from washing our hair with sweet water, what else can we do to return to a full head of shiny, beautiful hair like yours? Hope you can help.

Rebecca.

Dear Rebecca,

Thank you for your kind comments.

I receive many letters about hair loss and other hair and scalp problems. Yes, the water and the climate here are harsh for our hair but a balanced, healthy diet which includes lots of good quality protein can go a long way to helping you retain and regain, strong healthy hair.

Here are some of my hints and tips for glossy locks. I hope some of it helps you and other readers who have written to me about the subject.

Did you know that the condition of your hair says a lot about your general health?

Many hair and skin problems can be a result of a combination of your emotional state and your diet. Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and drink two litres of water a day.

If you don't really like eating vegetables, try making some fresh vegetable soup. If you don't really like eating fruits then at least drink freshly-pressed juices such as orange, apple and pineapple.

Oily

If your hair is oily, it can point to a lack of Vitamin D, so spend some sensible time in the sun as your skin needs some exposure to sunlight to produce it.

Dry

Dry or brittle hair can mean you are lacking essential fats so make sure you eat oily fish such as tuna, mackerel and salmon and use extra virgin olive oil in salads and when cooking.

Dull

If your hair grows slowly or is dull and lacking a healthy shine, then it could be a zinc deficiency so eat shellfish and seafood, leafy green vegetables, seeds and nuts or take a multi-vitamin that includes zinc.

Dandruff

True dandruff is actually a lot rarer than people think. Many of us rush to buy strong chemical-based commercial brands of anti-dandruff shampoo at the first sign of flakiness.

However, you may only be suffering from a flaky scalp due to dryness or dehydration of the scalp. This can be caused by many things including over use of strong shampoos, hair gels and hair colours, especially henna. It can also be caused by using water that is too hot when you shampoo your hair.

This is particularly true during the winter months in the Gulf when we feel the need to use hot water.

Hair loss

Hair loss can be a sign of general poor health and emotional stress so try to find time out for some simple relaxation.

Release yourself from troubled thoughts, by getting pen and paper and writing down how you feel and anything and everything that bothers you. Writing therapy has been shown to have amazing stress-busting effects.

Computers and electromagnetic waves

Working constantly with computers has been linked to hair loss due to electromagnetic waves being emitted from the computer.

If you work in a room with fax machines, photocopiers and other computers and business machines, then make sure you keep a fresh green plant on your desk to help absorb these waves and ensure there is an efficient form of ventilation in the room.

You can also use essential oils such as bergamot, rosemary, lemon and peppermint to counteract these negative emissions.

Hijab and gutra

If you wear a hajab, or gutra then this can also contribute to hair loss due to lack of oxygen and the constant sweating of the head.

This stimulates the sebaceous glands which produce excess sebum or oil and this excess sebum floods the roots of your hair where it turns into an acid, eating away at the roots and causing your hair to fall out prematurely.

If left unchecked, then each new hair that grows will be undernourished and weaker than the last, so a cycle of hair thinning and premature loss is established.

Pure cotton or silk

If you wear a hijab or headress it is best to make sure it is always clean everyday, and select pure 100 per cent cotton or silk to allow your scalp to breathe.

Remove your hijab/headress whenever you can and gently brush your hair and massage your scalp for a few minutes. The same guidelines are helpful for men and women who constantly wear a hat or cap, such as military or police officers. At least try to ensure the lining of your cap is pure cotton or silk and not polyester.

Chemical based products

Avoid using chemical products such as hairspray, gels, mousses and detergent shampoos as much as you can and replace them with natural chemical-free alternatives.

Hair colouring

Chemical hair colouring can be replaced with natural vegetable colourants or ammonia free colours to minimise damage. However, if your hair is coloured/permed or dry and brittle do NOT use henna on your hair as it is very drying and dehydrating and can make your hair much worse. Henna is best used only occasionally on oilier hair that is not coloured or permed.

Ultra violet radiation

Ultra violet radiation from the sun can damage your hair so protect it with a hat and try a protective hair cream with a sun protection filter in it if you are swimming or exposing your hair to the sun for any length of time.

After sun exposure it is advisable to have a really deep conditioning treatment, or even better, try applying your conditioning treatment to your dry hair before going in the sun.