Lipid tips to care for and repair your hair

Is your hair dull, rough, or losing its shine? It might be lacking lipids

Achieving soft, luminous, and uniform hair from root to tip is one of the most frequent goals in any hair care routine. However, we don't always achieve it, even when using various products. Why? In many cases, the key is not to add more cosmetics, but to better understand hair physiology and what it truly needs to be healthy.

Although we often associate hair with keratin (its main protein), increasingly scientific studies highlight the role of lipids, the natural fats in hair, in its strength, shine, and ability to protect itself against external aggressions. When these are altered or diminished, hair can become dull, rough, and less elastic.

In this post, we tell you what hair lipids are, why they are essential for maintaining hair health, and how you can restore them with an effective and well-formulated routine.

What are hair lipids?

Lipids are fats and, like proteins, are components of the hair fiber. Lipids play a very important role in protecting against external, environmental, or chemical damage that impacts hair daily, and also as protectors against breakage and thinning of the hair fiber.

What types of lipids are present in hair?

We can find two types of lipids in hair:

• Exogenous lipids are produced in the sebaceous gland, which empties into the hair follicle, and include free fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol esters of wax, and squalene.
• Endogenous lipids are produced in the hair follicle matrix and include free fatty acids, cholesterol, ceramides, glycosylceramides, and 18MEA.

The importance of lipids for hair health

Human hair consists of three parts: the cuticle, the cortex, and the medulla. Lipids are found in the cuticle and the medulla.

Although lipids comprise only 5% of the dry weight of the hair fiber, in contrast to proteins which make up 95%, lipids play a very important role and are essential for the beauty of our hair.

Lipids protect and strengthen hair, improving its strength, elasticity, and overall appearance. When our hair lacks sufficient lipids, it can become brittle, weak, and prone to breakage, which is why lipids greatly influence its mechanical and protective properties.

Lipids can be lost due to treatments we subject our hair to, but there is also lipid loss related to age. Recent scientific studies have shown that when melanin is lost and hair turns gray, there is also a loss of lipids leading to a modification in the properties of the hair fiber; these differences can explain why gray hair becomes drier.

Why are hair lipids lost?

Lipid loss in the hair fiber is a common phenomenon, due to both external and internal causes. Although not always immediately noticeable, its effects are seen in the texture, shine, and strength of the hair. One of the most frequent reasons is the continuous use of aggressive chemical products, such as dyes, bleaches, or straightening treatments. These processes alter the natural lipid layer and cause greater fragility.

Hair care habits also play a role. Intensive use of heat tools, such as hair dryers or straighteners, degrades the lipids covering the cuticle, reducing its ability to retain moisture. Additionally, washing hair with harsh shampoos or too frequently can strip the natural lipids from the scalp and hair shaft.

Furthermore, over time, scalp aging reduces sebum production, leading to a lower presence of lipids. This loss is also associated with the appearance of gray hair, which tends to become drier and rougher.

Finally, environmental factors such as sun exposure, pollution, or wind directly affect the lipid layer, weakening the hair's natural protective barrier. That's why it's crucial to identify the causes and compensate for them with a lipid-rich routine.

How to maintain essential lipids in hair?

If you notice that your hair is dry, undernourished, meaning it lacks lipids due to chemical treatments or exposure to conditions like intense cold, wind, or UV radiation, we recommend a lipid replenishment hair routine that starts with washing.

How to perform a lipid replenishment hair routine?

Step 1: Choose your shampoo

This is one of the most important steps in your care ritual. Choose a shampoo that meets your scalp's needs and contains active ingredients that provide the hair with the properties we always like to see: shine and protection.

If your scalp and hair are dry, use H02 Repairing Shampoo with postbiotic actives and ceramides. It restores the scalp's barrier function and brings softness, shine, and manageability to the hair.

Ceramides are structural lipids that are part of the hair's natural barrier, helping to maintain hydration, strengthen the cuticle, and protect the hair fiber against external aggressions. Modesta

If your scalp is oily and you use a deeper cleansing shampoo to effectively remove oil, we recommend protecting the length of your hair with a pre-shampoo treatment to protect the mid-lengths and ends during washing.

Step 2: Condition and seal in moisture

Follow with a lipid-rich conditioner like H04 Conditioner, applying it from mid-lengths to ends. Leave it on for a few minutes to allow the active ingredients to penetrate deeply. Rinse thoroughly and gently remove excess water from your hair.

Step 3: Treat yourself to a lipid-rich hair mask

Once a week, give your hair a luxurious hair mask rich in lipids, oils like olive, argan, brassica, jojoba, and natural emollients. This intensive treatment provides hair recovery, resulting in healthier, shinier, and protected hair.

Apply the mask generously to the length of your hair, avoiding the roots if they are oily, and focus on the most damaged areas. Leave it on for the recommended time and rinse well to reveal silky, soft hair.

Additional tips for healthy hair

In addition to incorporating lipids into your hair care routine, here are some extra tips to help you maintain optimal health.

1. Protect hair from heat

Excessive use of heat styling tools can damage your hair and strip its natural lipids. Whenever possible, opt for natural hairstyles and limit the use of styling tools to specific occasions. If you must use them, regulate the temperature well to minimize damage.

2. Avoid excessive washing

While cleanliness is important, washing your hair excessively can strip away the natural oils and lipids necessary for its health, especially if your scalp and hair are dry. If you notice your hair is oily, wash it whenever necessary and protect the length of your hair with a pre-shampoo treatment that shields the area.

3. Trim ends regularly

Regularly trimming the most damaged areas of your hair, such as the ends, helps prevent split ends and breakage, allowing your hair to grow longer and healthier. Schedule regular visits to your stylist to keep your hair in optimal condition.

4. Include lipids in your diet

Just like our bodies, our hair needs an adequate intake of lipids, or fats, to stay healthy. Including lipid-rich foods such as: avocados, nuts, fatty fish, seeds, flaxseeds, and olive oil in your diet can provide essential nutrients that promote hair wellness. These foods are rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are fundamental for scalp health and hair beauty.

5. Protect hair from external factors

Sun exposure can damage hair and alter its natural lipid content. We recommend that during times of high exposure, you protect your hair with a cap or similar, which is the best protective treatment you can offer your hair.

Restoring hair health with lipids: the definitive step

Understanding the role of lipids in hair care and repair can completely transform your hair care routine. Incorporating lipid-rich foods into your daily diet and using lipid-enriched hair products allows you to nourish, protect, and restore hair from the inside and along the hair fiber.

A consistent lipid replenishment routine, combined with other care practices, can lead to a visible change in hair's appearance. Lipids not only repair: they also strengthen, soften, and restore that natural shine that we sometimes thought was lost.

If you are looking for effective and respectful care for your hair's physiology, choose quality lipid-enriched formulas like those proposed above and discover H10 Sublime Oil, the lipid treatment that transforms your hair.

Frequently asked questions about lipids and hair health

What are lipids and why are they important for hair?

Lipids are essential fats that are part of the hair fiber. Although they only represent a small percentage of hair, they are key to maintaining hydration, elasticity, and resistance to external damage. Their loss can leave hair dry, fragile, and dull.

How do I know if my hair needs lipids?

Hair that breaks easily, looks dull, rough, or has undergone chemical treatments usually has a lipid deficiency. This can also happen over time, as aging reduces the natural amount of lipids in the hair fiber.

What products help replenish lipids in hair?

Gentle shampoos, nourishing conditioners, and masks rich in natural oils (such as argan, jojoba, or castor oil) are ideal for restoring lost lipids. The routine can also be reinforced with pre-shampoo treatments or silicone-free finishing oils.

Is it helpful to include lipid-rich foods to improve hair?

Yes. Including avocado, oily fish, nuts, or flaxseeds in your diet provides essential fatty acids that benefit both the scalp and the hair fiber from within.

 

Each article is backed by the expertise of our founder and CEO Dr. Modesta Cassinello, Doctor of Pharmacy and Diploma in Nutrition, committed to excellence in skin and hair care.