Hair Management: The Mirror to the Holistic Health

Written by

Dr. Ayush Varma

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

I am an Ayurvedic physician with an MD from AIIMS—yeah, the 2008 batch. That time kinda shaped everything for me... learning at that level really forces you to think deeper, not just follow protocol. Now, with 15+ years in this field, I mostly work with chronic stuff—autoimmune issues, gut-related problems, metabolic syndrome... those complex cases where symptoms overlap n patients usually end up confused after years of going in circles. I don’t rush to treat symptoms—I try to dig into what’s actually causing the system to go off-track. I guess that’s where my training really helps, especially when blending classical Ayurveda with updated diagnostics. I did get certified in Panchakarma & Rasayana therapy, which I use quite a lot—especially in cases where tissue-level nourishment or deep detox is needed. Rasayana has this underrated role in post-illness recovery n immune stabilization, which most people miss. I’m pretty active in clinical research too—not a full-time academic or anything, but I’ve contributed to studies on how Ayurveda helps manage diabetes, immunity burnout, stress dysregulation, things like that. It’s been important for me to keep a foot in that evidence-based space—not just because of credibility but because it keeps me from becoming too rigid in practice. I also get invited to speak at wellness events n some integrative health conferences—sharing ideas around patient-centered treatment models or chronic care via Ayurvedic frameworks. I practice full-time at a wellness centre that’s serious about Ayurveda—not just the spa kind—but real, protocol-driven, yet personalised medicine. Most of my patients come to me after trying a lot of other options, which makes trust-building a huge part of what I do every single day.

The dream of long, lustrous hair and youthful, glowing skin is a reality for some, but a fantasy for most. But would it be an impossible feat? The cosmetics industry today produces miracle products that change skin tone in just a week or two and hair shampoos that stop hair loss in three uses. Despite knowing these “tricks of the trade”, we still fall into the trap and buy expensive chemicals. “Hair and skin care” has become an important topic in today’s world, where every person has at least one skin or hair problem.

Prematurely grey hair, dull-lack lustrous or split hair, dandruff, baldness, aging skin, pigmentation, acne, blemishes, etc. are as common today as ever before. This can be attributed to erratic lifestyles, pollution, haphazard eating & sleeping habits, drug & alcohol abuse, stress, and improper care.

Health is taken for granted mainly due to the hectic schedules that have made part of daily life. Another aspect of this is bathing and hair washing has become a ritual that is done for a namesake. The Indian subcontinent has such a rich heritage ofnatural hair and skin care that our ancestors seldom suffered from such issues. Even today some ladies boast of thick and black tresses beating their ages.

The incorporation of cosmetics in Ayurveda was mainly done for the achievement of longevity and good health unlike for an attractive appearance. There is evidence of highly advanced concepts of self-beautification and a large array of cosmetics used by both men and women in ancient India. Many of these practices depended on the season (Ritus) and were subtly interwoven with daily routine (Dinacharya). The whole range of cosmetic usage and its practice as conceived by the ancient Indians was based on natural resources. They were used as external applications in the form of packs, oils, herbal waters, powders, etc.

Ayurveda considers the skin to be formed of Mamsa dathu (one of the 7 dathus or building blocks of the body). Mamsa dathu (roughly the muscular tissue) is the third of the 7 dhatus. That is why mamsa dhatu has to be in a state of health to have healthy and glowing skin.

Hair and nails are formed as side products during the formation of ASTHI dhatu (roughly bones). This fact signifies the importance of healthy bones for healthy hair and nails. VATA dosha plays a significant role in hair issues as well. An increase in vata initiates hair fall or greying in combination with other doshas.

It is important to know about the type of hair one has to understand its core problems and Eg. Hair in VATA-dominant people is naturally dry and tends to be frizzy or PITTA-dominant people have fair and warm skin which is prone to acne or breakouts. Thus it helps in their management.

The above information can be summed up as a daily, weekly, and monthly regimen for the face, body, and hair. The Daily Regimen for hair can have minimal oil application at the roots. For the body and face as mentioned earlier oleation with oil that suits your body daily is ideal. Weekly Regimen – Thorough oil application while massaging the scalp in a circular motion with the fingertips can be done once a week 2 hours before bath followed by a hair rinse with neem or green tea decoction. For the body or face, scrubbing or exfoliation can be done once a week. Monthly Regimen – A hair pack can be done once or twice a month according to the hair type and problem. Body/face packs can be done twice a month.

This regimen if followed consistently will save plenty of bucks on age-reversing therapies.

The next important part that can influence hair and skin management is the food habits and the regulations. The ideal way to follow for optimum hair and skin health are as follows:

	VATA Dominant	PITTA Dominant	KAPHA Dominant
Skin- Normal	Dry, flaky, relatively clear, porcelain-like, darker complexion, thin	fair, sensitive, soft, warm, and of medium thickness	oily, thick, pale, soft, cool, tolerant to sun
Prone to	Aging, itching, dry eczema, etc	Acne, hives, freckles, moles, sunburn	Wet eczema, blackheads, pimples, oedema
Hair- normal	Dry, dull, brittle, scarce	Straight, lighter-hued, thin, soft	Lustrous, thick, curly, oily
Prone to	Hair fall, split ends, dandruff	Hair fall, premature greying, get oily soon	Itching, wet infections of the scalp
Key Solution	Moisture & Nourish	Sooth, cool & nourish	Cleanse & nourish
Ideal food	Warm, sweet, unctuous, less spicy foods	Soothing, cold, bitter, sweet, astringent foods	Warm, dry, bitter, astringent foods

In case of recurrent and chronic skin or hair issues, it is better to consult a physician and try to eliminate the root cause. Internally numerous formulations can be taken to purify, strengthen, and nourish the skin and hair. There are many wonderful treatments like Sarvang dharas, Shirodhara, Shiro pichu, Udwartana, Nasya, and Dhoomapan which go a long way in treating cosmetic issues. In chronic or severe conditions the doctor may prescribe SHODHAN (purificatory) procedures like panchakarma.

Lastly along with eating well, one should feed the mind well too. Positive thinking always shows on the outside. Regular pranayam, meditational activities and daily exercising help in mind cleansing and are mandatory to be healthy, feel good, and look great!

Strong hair and skin can show how healthy a person is and so it is important it is to spend time on their management and growth. Dr. Sujal Patil Torgal CMO at Traya Natural Health Centre

This article is checked by the current qualified Dr Sujal Patil and can be considered a reliable source of information for users of the site.