How Small Changes in Your Skin, Nails and Hair Can Be Signs of Something Larger
Many changes in our health can go undetected—and this calls for routine screenings and complete physical exams at your doctor’s office. But changes in your skin, hair and nails can be signs that a shift in your health is taking place, as they are reflections of our overall well-being.
What you’re seeing: Thinning hair
What it means: Hair loses density because the diameter of the hair shaft shrinks as we age. With all the wear and tear (coloring, bleaching and blow-drying) your hair also becomes more porous and weaker. Thinning hair may also be a signal that your diet is deficient in essential nutrients, such as lean protein and Biotin (a B-complex vitamin found in Swiss chard, carrots, walnuts, almonds, milk, strawberries, raspberries, cucumbers, cauliflower and halibut).
What you can do: There are anti-aging hair care formulas that help plump up the hair shaft. You can also go easy with hot styling tools and look for hair coloring formulas that are more conditioning. Improving your diet can also help. If thinning hair remains problematic after adjusting your diet and hair care, you may also want to see your doctor. Thinning can also be a result of your body reacting to stress or a particular medication, or a hormonal imbalance. You may need to have your thyroid function tested.
What you’re seeing: Brittle nails
What it means: Your nails are made up of keratin, the same protein that makes up hair. With hands constantly in and out of water, nails expand when they absorb water, and then contract as the nails lose water. This repeated expansion and contraction and loss of water softens and weakens nails. The onset of menopause can also play a role. Estrogen levels regulate your body’s water regulation and water retention systems.  When estrogen levels are lower, the resulting dehydration can lead to weak, dry, brittle nails that easily break and split. Again, your diet could also be deficient, or you may have an underactive thyroid.
What you can do: Try to make a habit of wearing gloves when doing chores that require immersion in water, such as washing dishes. A good moisturizing hand cream as well as a nourishing oil to rub into nails and cuticles can help replace water loss. Make sure you’re getting adequate levels of Vitamins B, A, D and calcium from your food and supplements. I also recommend taking a Biotin supplement (5000 ucg) for brittle nails. Biotin supplements enhance nail growth and flexibility of the nail plate. If nails do not respond to DIY treatment and dietary fixes, you may want to see a doctor to make sure you don’t have any underlying medical condition.
What you’re seeing: Changes in the appearance of moles
What it means: If you’re noticing any change in the color, size or shape of a mole, hopefully it is because you have been doing a monthly self-exam as recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation. Routine self-exams can help you catch what could develop into skin cancer early.
What you can do: Immediately call your dermatologist for a thorough exam. If a mole looks suspicious the dermatologist can perform a biopsy to determine whether a mole is benign or not. The good news is that with early detection skin cancer is treatable. Once you have your check up, it’s also important to be diligent about using daily sun protection. Look for a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of 30 or higher.
What you’re seeing: Lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and roughness
What it means: These are signs of extrinsic aging, also known as premature aging, which is caused by poor lifestyle habits. Smoking, poor diet and lack of sleep can actually accelerate skin aging, which shows up as lines and wrinkles, rough texture and uneven pigmentation. The number one culprit, however, is unprotected sun exposure.
What you can do: Quit smoking. Smoking not only damages the fibers that provide elasticity and support needed for firm, supple skin, it also decreases blood flow and the delivery of vital nutrients to the skin’s surface. For the vitality you need to stay healthy and keep your skin glowing, be sure to eat a high-fiber diet rich in antioxidant fruits and vegetables. Along with fatigue and lack of concentration and mental focus, sleep deprivation can contribute to a dry, flaky complexion because your body has been deprived of renewing itself with proper rest.
Sun protection is also a must—not only in lowering your risk of melanoma and other skin cancers, but also to defend against the signs of premature aging, including dryness, lines, wrinkles, rough texture, uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. You want to use a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. To enhance the benefits of daily sunscreen use, I often recommend a good anti-aging foundation with UVA/UVB sun filters as extra insurance.
DR. JEANETTE GRAF is a board-certified, clinical and research dermatologist and author of Stop Aging, Start Living. She has appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, The View, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends and The Early Show on CBS. A former fellow of National Institutes of Health, Dr. Graf is Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center and has a private practice in Great Neck, New York.Â
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