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The role of copper in maintaining healthy skin and hair

Team AckoDec 30, 2024

Copper is an essential mineral that has numerous benefits for our body’s overall health. Human bodies rely on copper to produce enzymes and proteins critical for proper function. The mineral also helps boost immunity, absorb iron, and create energy. Recent studies have also shown that it can be effective in keeping our skin and hair healthy. Read on to discover the role of copper in maintaining healthy skin and hair.

Contents

Benefits of Copper for Hair

Copper is one of the most essential trace elements in the human body, and it helps with healthy hair. This essential nutrient offers a range of benefits for the hair, from stimulating new hair growth to aiding the production of melanin, which leads to the maintenance of hair pigment. Copper should be incorporated into the hair care routine as it has specific functions in promoting hair health. The following are a few benefits of copper:

Hair Growth and Strength

Keratin, a critical protein that contributes to hair building, cannot be made without copper. Since copper helps with keratin production, hair with adequate amounts of this mineral will likely be healthy, thick, and easy to manage.

Hair Pigmentation

Copper is also critical for producing melanin, which colours hair strands. Therefore, proper intake of copper is essential when it comes to maintaining hair colour, form, and structure, accelerating the oxidation of “dopa” and forming a dark pigment.

Prevention of Premature Greying

Grey hair is triggered by the lack of copper, which makes it integral for melanin production. With sufficient amounts of copper in your body, producing copper peptides helps stimulate the follicles, promoting growth and prohibiting premature greying.

Scalp Health and Dandruff Control

Through the transformation of the cells of the scalp, copper helps with sebum production, which prevents dry or flaky skin. On further exploration, copper may enhance blood flow, reduce inflammation, and offer relief from flaking caused by dandruff.

Benefits of Copper for Skin

Copper is one of the most essential trace elements that aid the growth of healthy skin. This mineral is vital in several skin activities, such as collagen formation and healing of wounds, among others. You can achieve great-looking skin by eating copper-rich foods and taking copper supplements.

Collagen Production and Skin Elasticity

Copper helps to synthesise collagen, an essential structural protein in the skin that helps maintain skin elasticity. By modulating collagen synthesis, copper enhances skin tone by helping decrease wrinkles and fine lines.

Antioxidant Properties and Protection Against Oxidative Stress

Copper possesses potent antioxidant properties, shielding the skin from damage caused by harmful free radicals. These unstable molecules can accelerate skin ageing, leading to premature wrinkles, sagging, and loss of elasticity. By neutralising free radicals, copper helps preserve a youthful and radiant complexion.

Wound Healing and Skin Repair

Copper performs an essential function in the body's healing ability. It aids in the growth of new blood vessels necessary for oxygen and nutrients to reach the damaged areas. Furthermore, copper is also needed to synthesise skin repair enzymes. Hence, scarring is lessened, and healing occurs faster.

Pigmentation and Skin Colour

Copper also has a hand in creating melanin, the pigment that gives colour to the skin, hair and eyes. Regulating melanin synthesis defends the body against the adverse effects of melanin overproduction, which worsens copper deficiency, such as vitiligo or skin loss of pigments.

How to Reap the Benefits of Copper for Skin and Hair

There are various benefits of copper for your health. The following strategies can be considered for your hair and skin to be enhanced by using copper:

Dietary Sources of Copper

Organ Meats: Beef, chicken, duck liver, and kidney are excellent sources of copper.
Shellfish: Oysters, clams, and crabs are rich in copper.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, cashews, sesame, and sunflower seeds are good sources of copper.
Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, and kidney beans are rich in copper.
Whole Grains: Whole wheat, brown rice, and quinoa provide copper.
Dark Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are good copper sources.

When Should You Take Copper Supplements

Dietary intake will sometimes be inadequate to satisfy your copper requirements. To determine if copper supplementation is appropriate for you, you are advised to seek medical attention. The following are some of the prominent factors which point to when one should take copper supplements:

Lifestyle Factors

Sun Protection: Protect your skin from harmful UV rays, as excessive sun exposure can deplete copper levels.
Balanced Diet: A well-balanced diet rich in various nutrients is essential for overall health, including skin and hair.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Stress Management: Chronic stress, including copper, can negatively impact your body's nutrient absorption.

These measures combined into everyday life enable the user to utilise copper for smooth skin and beautiful hair.

Copper Deficiency and Its Impact on Skin and Hair

Copper deficiency, though unusual, can affect the health of numerous body parts, including skin and hair. Although it's hard to suffer from its advanced stage in developed countries, moderate slackers may still display signs of it.

Symptoms of Copper Deficiency to Look Out For

Even though the specific symptoms are consistent with the individual, some common signs that are used to diagnose copper deficiency include.

Anaemia: A deficiency of Copper leads to iron deficiency. Copper deficiency has a role in iron absorption and forming red blood cells and blood as a whole. In this case, the individual may experience fatigue, pallor, or even skin that appears washed out.
Weakened Immune System: Copper is a mineral required for practical immune function. The deficiency of copper changes the dynamics, which would otherwise help fight off infections, and individuals become more vulnerable to diseases.
Bone Health Issues: Cross-linking of collagen, a protein principal constituent of bone, is copper-dependent. Lack of copper can lead to enhanced brittle bone disease and increased probabilities of bone fractures.
Neurological Problems: A deficiency of copper can lead to neural problems, including numbness, tingling, or even alteration in thought processes due to its influence on neurotransmitter production, a chemical messenger between nerve cells.

Link Between Copper Deficiency and Skin and Hair Problems

There are clinically proven facts that the deficiency of copper can lead to a wide range of skin and hair-related troubles, some of which are:

Skin Problems

Poor Wound Healing: Scars and wounds are a cause of concern as copper is a significant stressor that promotes neo-hematogenesis, essential in providing oxygen and nutrients to the damaged tissue, making it critical in a patient with deficient levels of copper.
Increased Susceptibility to Infections: People are also at a higher risk of skin infections due to copper deficiency and immunodeficiency exhibited by low copper content in an individual's body.
Skin Pigmentation Disorders: One of copper's roles in the body is contributing towards melanin synthesis, which is the pigment responsible for the skin. Lack of this copper metal can lead to skin pigmentation disorders like vitiligo.
Premature Aging: Due to its antioxidant properties, copper protects the skin by preventing the degradation of skin cells because of free radicals. A deficiency shall lead to aged skin quicker than usual with fine wrinkles, lines, and loss of elasticity.

Hair Problems

Hair Loss: Copper is essential for the production of keratin, a protein that forms the structure of hair. Its deficiency can lead to hair loss and thinning.
Brittle and Dry Hair: Copper helps maintain the moisture balance of the scalp and hair. Deficiency can lead to dry, brittle, and damaged hair.
Scalp Problems: Copper deficiency can contribute to scalp problems such as dandruff and inflammation.
Weak Hair Growth: Copper is a prime factor in the production process of collagen and elastin, promoting healthy hair growth. Lack of copper in your body can weaken or slow hair growth.

If you suspect copper deficiency, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Key Takeaway

Copper can be an extremely beneficial mineral for maintaining healthy skin and hair. It helps to stimulate blood flow and protect from sun damage, promote collagen and elastin production, and reduce inflammation.

Following the right diet and using supplements according to the prescribed dosage is the best way to ensure that your copper levels are balanced, and it is essential to be aware of the potential side effects, such as nausea, before taking a supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about the role of copper in maintaining healthy skin and hair

How can copper help in maintaining healthy skin and hair?

Copper can help in maintaining healthy skin and hair by stimulating blood flow to the scalp, building up elasticity in hair, reducing greasiness, reducing symptoms of dandruff, building up collagen and elastin, reducing damage done by free radicals, and protecting from sun damage.

What is a good way to get copper in my diet?

A good way to get copper in your diet is to eat foods such as nuts, legumes, beans, whole grains, shellfish, molasses, and potatoes.

What are the potential side effects of taking a copper supplement?

Potential side effects of taking a copper supplement include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It is best to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any kind of copper supplement.