Healthy Hair: Healthy Hair Diet: Healthy Hair Care

Healthy Hair: Healthy Hair Diet: Healthy Hair Care

Healthy Hair Diet

The first important step in promoting healthy hair is to have a healthy diet. Strong, healthy, shiny hair is a sign of a healthy body as a result of eating a balanced nutritious diet.

A healthy hair diet should contain plenty of vegetables, fruit, fish, dairy products, wholegrains and nuts. These foods are packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and antioxidants. Incorporate these foods in your daily diet and you will notice a vast improvement in weeks.

Protein is the building block of hair. Protein adds strength to your hair and reduces the risk of damage.

Vitamin A is an antioxidant that improves the health of the scalp, vitamin E raises scalp blood circulation and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is a vitamin that helps prevent premature greying and loss of hair. Lack of B Vitamins can cause hair to become dry and brittle.

Minerals promote healthy hair and guard against hair loss. Minerals are made up of calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, silica, sulphur and zinc.

Poor circulation is often a cause of hair loss. Potassium and selenium are effective minerals in providing a regular circulation, which will allow the right nutrients to move into the scalp area and help with hair growth. Copper not only helps with preventing hair loss, but will also help in the colour of your hair as well as the thickness of it.

Drink plenty of water daily. Water not only hydrates your body, but helps keep your hair silky and shiny.

Healthy Hair Care

Try to use natural and organic hair care products as much as possible. Many commercial shampoos and conditioners contain chemicals that in the long run can damage the hair.

Regular shampooing, rinsing and conditioning with natural products can help keep hair healthy and shiny. Look for natural hair care products with wheat germ, jojoba, almond or coconut oil, keratin, vitamins such as biotin, panthenol, vitamin A, E and essential oils.

When applying shampoo, massage the scalp gently, as this activates circulation and energy flow and stimulates hair at the roots.

Rinse with lukewarm (not hot) water. For that extra shine mix the juice of one lemon with a cup of water in your final rinse.

An all natural way to eliminate shampoo build-up and toxins in your hair is to rinse with apple cider vinegar once a week. This will restore the acid mantle, which is essential to a healthy scalp and clean, shiny hair.

Comb through wet hair with a wide-toothed comb and avoid brushing at this stage as the hair will be quite elastic and can be stretched to breaking point.

If you are fortunate enough to have natural curls, waves or low-maintenance hair, it is always best to allow the hair to dry naturally whenever possible. For most of us, the use of hair dryers and curling irons are a necessity for teasing our hair into a required style, plus they are extremely convenient for hectic lives, the downside is that direct heat tends to make the hair brittle especially if overdone.

If you follow these simple rules you can lessen the risk of damage:

First pat the excess moisture out of your hair with a towel. Do not rub, vigorous towel drying actually damages the hair shaft.

Comb hair with a wide-toothed comb and fluff up lightly with your fingers. Try to keep your hair dryer under the maximum heat setting and at a distance of at least 6 inches from your hair and move the dryer constantly around your head. Protect the ends of your hair by bending your head and blow drying with your hair hanging down. It will also give your hair more body. Leave hair slightly damp.