Which Vitamins Optimize Healthy Hair Growth

Minerals and vitamins, and other nutrients in our diet, play a vital role in preventing hair loss and promoting natural hair growth. It is not possible to depend on just one type of vitamin, as obtaining healthy hair growth may entail consuming various foods that contain nutrients good for the scalp and hair.

Vitamin A can be obtained from beta carotene which is an antioxidant. Vegetables that are yellow, green, and orange, such as kale, turnip greens, squash, spinach, and yams have adequate quantities of beta carotene.

For healthy hair growth, get an adequate supply of vitamin B-complex by consuming lean meats such as chicken, fish, turkey, as well as dairy products and whole grains. Chickpeas are excellent for providing B vitamins as well as zinc. You can get your requirement of zinc by eating meat and fish.

Iron, which is also vital for the growth of lustrous and thick hair, is in vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, kale, and broccoli, which enable oxygen supply to the hair. Dates, eggs, raisins and liver also contain iron.

If you eat dark green vegetables that contain vitamins C and A, you will promote sebum production that will work as a good conditioner and moisturizer. Take vitamin C if you wish to encourage good supply of blood to the scalp.

Vitamin E is helpful for promoting hair growth. If you take these vitamins, you can prevent hair loss as well as encourage blood circulation to the hair follicles. Take green vegetables, especially the dark green variety, such as broccoli along with whole grains, eggs, nuts, seeds, and legumes.

Ensure that you drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. You need to take proteins, such as omega 3 and 6, along with fatty acids to prevent hair loss and to ensure that the hair is well moisturized.

Make sure you include foods such as salmon, tuna, trout and oily fish along with olives, flax seeds, avocados, spinach, liver and pumpkinseeds in your diet to achieve healthy hair growth.

All about Female Hair Loss: From Simple Tips to Long-Term Treatments

Hair loss is a very common problem faced by most people. While not as common as male hair loss, female alopecia strikes a significant number of women every year.

‘Hereditary hair loss factors are the most difficult to deal with, but one can reduce the effect from an early stage. Many of our hair roots are still alive, and it is still possible to grow them back’, shares one dermatologist.

Women are especially depressed about losing their hair as their beauty depends a lot on their hairstyles. Fortunately, hair loss in women typically does not result in complete baldness, as is often the case with men.

Although hair loss may seem like a major problem among men, women are just as likely to lose or have thinning hair. Most women notice it in their 50s or 60s, but it can happen at any age and for a variety of reasons.

There are many reasons that cause hair loss. Women are excessive users of chemicals on their scalps. They use shampoos and conditioners that are based on chemical ingredients, which can weaken the scalp and make it hard to hold on to the hair.

Women also tend to dye their hair way too much. It’s not that they shouldn’t, but they should use less chemical dyes and use more natural resources like henna for instance.

Another reason for hair fall is dandruff. One can avoid dandruff by making sure that the daily intake of water is enough for your hair. A daily gentle rub using natural oils and a deep conditioner on the scalp at night for a whole week are also advisable. Also, wash your hair every day in the morning for practical reasons before starting your daily activities, but use an organically formulated dandruff shampoo, preferably.

Constant stress and worrying are the biggest and worst reasons that can cause hair loss. This affects women much more than men because men tend to let out their stress, but women keep it inside, which eventually builds up and affects their health and mind.

A sudden or stressful event can cause the hair follicles to prematurely stop functioning and enter into a resting phase. This can last for as long as 6 to 12 weeks, or much longer if left untreated. If untreated, it can lead to temporary hair loss.

Healthy Hair Care: Mask Your Hair from Damage

Your hair is an important expression of who you are. A woman with well-groomed and lustrous hair is known to attract men.

That apart, the texture of your hair also signifies youth, health, strength and vitality. Many people, especially women, don’t feel right unless their hair looks perfect. There are days when you find yourself saying, ‘It’s just another bad hair day’.

Hair structure

The structure of the hair shaft comprises the medulla, the cortex and the cuticle. The medulla is the innermost core of hair and has soft keratin cells. The cortex is the second layer and gives your hair inherent strength and elasticity. It contains the pigment melanin, which is responsible for the colour of your hair. The outermost layer is the cuticle which acts as a protective shield.

Hair scare

Each part of your body needs care, so does your hair. You often tend to realise this only when your mane starts suffering from split ends, dryness and loss of shine. The environment, pollutants, harmful chemicals, an imbalanced diet, stress, UV rays, lack of sleep and water are some of the major factors affecting your hair. As dust and dirt cling to your hair, it begs all the more for maintenance. Hence, hair care mainly depends on your hair type and the problem you are having with it.

Why use hair masks

A hair mask is wellness for your hair. Just as the skin requires regular facials for rejuvenations, your hair needs a similar kind of pampering too and hair masks are a good way to do that. Masks contain nutrients and active substances to strengthen and restore hair structure, which makes them great conditioners that will add lustre and shine to hair.

What you need to know

Hair is not just your crowning glory but a vital factor of self-image, prestige and confidence. The way your hair looks depends on what you eat and drink. A balanced diet and the right intake of water help maintain natural shine and keep a lot of hair and scalp problems at bay. All external applications like hair masks and conditioners work on the cuticle and can alter only the external appearance of the hair. However, they are not responsible for the inner strength of the hair.

Step by step

Masks should be applied often if your hair is being exposed to chlorine, seawater or excessive sun, as well as frequent colouring.

1. Apply the mask evenly on every strand of your hair.

2. Leave it for 30 to 40 minutes depending on the ingredients of the mask.

3. Wrap your hair in a warm towel while the mask works its wonders. It will amplify the mask’s effect and make you feel good too.

4. Do not leave the mask on for more than the required time.

5. After the requisite time, rinse thoroughly with warm water. A good mask will take longer to rinse out than a shampoo or conditioner, so give it the time it needs. To give your hair more shine, finish off by spraying some cool water.

6. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle wet hair. Brush it only when it is dry.

7. Avoid using a hairdryer to dry your hair after the wash as the heat can make your hair dry and coarse again.

Hair Systems: Short-Term Solutions to Hair Loss

The first precaution in purchasing or using a hair system — wig, toupee, hair weave — of course would be to make sure it doesn’t fall off. The place you buy it from will probably brief you on how to use the wig. It would be a good idea to wear it at home so you are comfortable in it before braving the outside world. This will also alert you to what not to do with it lest you discover in the bathroom mirror that you have been looking very silly for the past three hours! It is bound to feel uncomfortable and itchy in the beginning. If the itching persists at uncomfortable levels, go back to the store/stylist for an adjustment.

Trichology centres will also load you with maintenance therapies and accessories that will cost a bomb. So while deciding your budget, leave some leeway for extra costs.

Thinking you can wear a wig without anyone noticing is being naïve. It is more for the wearer’s own satisfaction than the onlooker’s benefit. Also, once you start wearing a wig, you can’t go a day without it for the sake of consistency. It adds to things you need to do routinely. Overtime, you get used to it but it sure is inconvenient.

For those who do not wish to go for invasive procedures but can’t stand the sight of that bald spot, wigs are a good option. Once you decide, go for a professional wig maker who can customise the wig for you. Also, being stingy on the cost is not a good idea because this is an accessory to be worn for long periods every day.

Finally, do not expect miraculous makeovers. The people you see on TV have highly-paid professionals continuously looking after them and their styling. Also, remember that they are paid for how they look.