{"id":7914,"date":"2026-07-30T15:33:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T13:33:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/?p=7914"},"modified":"2026-07-30T15:33:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T13:33:51","slug":"your-hair-needs-more-than-the-sun-to-shine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/your-hair-needs-more-than-the-sun-to-shine\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Hair Needs More Than the Sun to Shine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-a53d7ad\" data-block-id=\"a53d7ad\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-a53d7ad-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-d0dcfc9\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"d0dcfc9\"><style>@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.stk-d0dcfc9 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 25% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-d0dcfc9-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-d0dcfc9-inner-blocks\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-47dc05d\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"47dc05d\"><style>@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.stk-47dc05d {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 50% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-47dc05d-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-47dc05d-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hair-and-sun-ENG-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7915\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hair-and-sun-ENG-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hair-and-sun-ENG-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hair-and-sun-ENG-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hair-and-sun-ENG-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hair-and-sun-ENG-45x45.png 45w, https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hair-and-sun-ENG.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-9dd128c\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"9dd128c\"><style>@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.stk-9dd128c {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 25% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-9dd128c-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-9dd128c-inner-blocks\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Summer is often associated with healthy-looking hair. Longer days, more sunshine, outdoor activities, and increased vitamin D production should, in theory, create the ideal conditions for strong, shiny hair. Yet many people notice exactly the opposite. By the end of summer, their hair may feel drier, thinner, or begin shedding more than usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why does this happen? The answer is that healthy hair depends on far more than sunshine alone. While vitamin D certainly plays an important role, beautiful hair is ultimately the result of a healthy metabolism, optimal nutrition, and a well-functioning body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Vitamin D: An Essential Player in Hair Growth<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people associate vitamin D with strong bones, but its role extends far beyond skeletal health. Hair follicles contain vitamin D receptors (VDR), which help regulate the normal hair growth cycle. Studies suggest that vitamin D contributes to maintaining the <strong>anagen phase<\/strong>, the active growth stage during which hair continues to grow. Conversely, low vitamin D levels have been associated with several forms of hair loss, including telogen effluvium, female pattern hair loss, and alopecia areata.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This explains why maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is considered one of the many factors supporting healthy hair growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Vitamin D Paradox<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many healthy adults, around <strong>10 to 15 minutes of moderate sun exposure two to three times per week<\/strong>, before applying sunscreen or during periods of lower UV intensity, may already allow meaningful vitamin D production. Of course, this varies according to skin type, geographical latitude, season, and individual characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although sunlight remains the primary source of vitamin D, nutrition also plays an important role. Natural dietary sources include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>sardines;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>anchovies;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>herring;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cod liver oil;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>liver;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>clarified butter (ghee).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Small oily fish are often preferable because they generally accumulate fewer environmental contaminants than larger predatory fish. If vitamin D supplementation is necessary, one simple detail is often overlooked: <strong>vitamin D is fat-soluble<\/strong>. Taking it with a meal containing healthy fats significantly improves its absorption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hair Reflects Your Internal Health<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hair follicles are among the most metabolically active tissues in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every new hair requires a continuous supply of proteins, amino acids, iron, zinc, essential fatty acids, and numerous vitamins. When one or more of these nutrients become insufficient, hair follicles may prematurely leave the growth phase and enter the resting phase, resulting in increased shedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For this reason, hair loss is not always simply a cosmetic concern. It may represent one of the earliest visible signs that the body is lacking essential nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What Different Hair Changes Can Reveal<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Different nutritional deficiencies tend to produce different patterns of hair changes. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Iron deficiency<\/strong>\u00a0often causes diffuse hair shedding, particularly in women.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Zinc deficiency<\/strong>\u00a0may lead to finer, weaker hair.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biotin deficiency<\/strong>, although relatively uncommon, can contribute to significant hair loss.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Essential fatty acid deficiency<\/strong>\u00a0may leave hair dry and lacking shine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insufficient protein intake<\/strong>\u00a0often results in thinner, more fragile hair.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than relying solely on shampoos or cosmetic products, it is therefore worth asking a more fundamental question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Does my body have everything it needs to produce healthy hair?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Looking Beyond Hair Products<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While quality hair care products can improve the appearance of the hair shaft, they cannot compensate for deficiencies occurring within the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Healthy hair begins at the follicle, where cells divide rapidly and require a constant supply of nutrients and energy. Supporting overall health, including adequate nutrition, balanced vitamin D levels, healthy fats, sufficient protein, and good metabolic function, provides the foundation upon which strong hair can grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beautiful summer hair is built from the inside out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A comprehensive approach includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>enjoying sensible sun exposure while avoiding sunburn;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>consuming sufficient high-quality protein;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>eating foods naturally rich in vitamin D and healthy fats;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>taking vitamin D supplements with a fat-containing meal when supplementation is needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultimately, beautiful hair is rarely the result of a single product. More often, it is one of the clearest visible reflections of a healthy body and a well-functioning metabolism.maintaining the biological systems responsible for repair may be just as important for preserving healthy, youthful skin throughout life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summer is often associated with healthy-looking hair. Longer days, more sunshine, outdoor activities, and increased vitamin D production should, in theory, create the ideal conditions for strong, shiny hair. Yet many people notice exactly the opposite. By the end of summer, their hair may feel drier, thinner, or begin shedding more than usual. Why does [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[149,369,370,151,365,372,362,368,246,13,145,371],"class_list":["post-7914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-tips","tag-aging","tag-deficiency","tag-dhea","tag-estrogens","tag-hair","tag-hair-growth","tag-keratin","tag-radiation","tag-skin","tag-summer","tag-thyroid","tag-vitamin-d"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7914","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7914"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7914\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7916,"href":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7914\/revisions\/7916"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hertoghe.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}