10  super tips for thick, shiny and healthy hair

1. Healthy diet is a must

Make sure your diet is healthy, or it will reflect on your hair. Get your daily dose of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Fish, nuts and greens are excellent for healthy hair.

2. Shampoo every other day

Shampoo your hair every alternate day, not daily. Daily shampooing could dry the scalp and hair of its natural oils. However, don’t let your hair get too dirty before you shampoo it, as this could cause your hair to fall. Shampooing it every alternate day, or, at the most, every two days should do the trick. Also, take a clue from the climate you live in. Humid weather requires frequent washing. But if you are mostly staying indoors and don’t sweat too much, you can wash your hair less frequently.

3. Protect your hair from UV radiation

Does your work or lifestyle take you out in the sun a lot? Wear a cap, and use a conditioner which has sun-block. UV radiation can cause untold damage to your hair.

4. Weekly oiling promotes healthy hair

Oil your hair at least once a week. Leave it on for about half-an-hour to an hour, and cleanse with shampoo. Once-a-month do a deep-conditioning treatment by steaming your oiled hair.

5. Treat your hair to egg protein

Egg is excellent for hair. It nourishes the hair and adds shine. After applying oil, whip up an egg and apply it to your hair once a week. Leave it on for an hour and then rinse. Don’t forget to rinse with cold water, not warm. You don’t want scrambled eggs in your hair.

6 Trim your hair at least once in 4-6 months

There is no “cure” for split ends. Once a hair is split, the end has to be cut off to avoid further splitting of the strand. Trimming regularly keeps split ends in check.

7. Condition your hair after every wash

After shampooing your hair, towel dry. Take a few drops of a conditioner in the palm of your hand, rub hands together, and apply the conditioner to the ends of your hair. Never apply it to the scalp. Once you’ve applied the conditioner, run through your hair with a wide-toothed comb so it gets evenly distributed. Wash off after 3 – 4 minutes.

8. Fab tip for frizzy hair

One great trick to tame frizzy hair is to apply two or three drops of oil to your hair, just after washing it, when your hair is still soaking wet. This tames the hair without giving it an oily appearance. This is an easy substitute to leave in conditioners and hair serums.

9. Hot water is a strict no-no

Never shampoo your hair with hot water. Rinsing with hot water washes away essential oils and moisture, leaving the scalp dehydrated and the hair frizzy and static. Use cold water or warm water instead.

10. Sleep on a satin pillowcase

If you have long hair, use a satin pillowcase to sleep. This helps the hair glide when you move in your sleep. Regular cotton pillowcases may latch on to your hair, causing breakage. Also, it’s best to tie hair up when sleeping.

Do’s & Don’ts for healthy hair

Drying

• Hot air can be damaging to your hair, so when using a hair dryer use a cool setting.
• Don’t leave the blow-dryer in one spot for more than a few seconds, keep it moving and hold it at a good distance from your hair.
• To speed up the drying process, pat your hair dry with a towel and let the remaining moisture in your hair dry naturally.
• Gently use your fingers to untangle any knots while your hair is drying.

Hair products

• Hair styling products with alcohol dry out the hair; avoid their use.
• Avoid using hair styling products directly on your scalp; they tend to clog the pores on your scalp.

Swimming

• Before entering a pool, wet your hair so it soaks up the “top” water instead of chlorinated water.
• When swimming, wear a cap to protect your hair from chlorinated water. If you choose not to, make sure you shampoo and condition your hair right after you are through with your swimming session.

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This article is an in-depth, evidence based, exhaustive guide on Apple Cider Vinegar. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip to the relevant section by clicking below.
Here’s what we shall explore:

• History Of ACV
• What is ACV
• 10 ‘Real’ Benefits of ACV
• Possible Myths and Fallacies
• How to consume

History of ACV

Legend has it that Hippocrates, the greek father of medicine, treated many of his patients using Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV. He used this folk remedy to treat various conditions ranging from bad breath, sore throat, ulcers to even ‘fractures’.

The presence of ACV has also been traced back to Egyptian urns as old as 3000 BC! Greeks and Romans supposedly used ACV for flavouring food like salad dressings. It was also used to fend off certain diseases, as a body deodorant and a healing tonic.

Surprising uses for apple cider vinegar, huh?

But all of the above uses do not have sufficient evidence to support them. So let’s look at something more evidence based.

In the beginning there were…

Apples!

Apples were first grown in Egypt on the banks of the Nile River around 1300 BC. After this they spread throughout Africa and Europe. And then, through trade, to the rest of the world.

Until recently, apples were not widely used for eating—the ancients considered them too “sour”. Apples were instead used to make juice. They would be juiced and consumed immediately as they had a low shelf life.

But by 55BC, when the Romans arrived in England, apple juice was an old story. Apple Cider was now a popular drink with the masses. This can be found in the literature of the time.

So what is Cider?

Apple Cider is fermented apple juice. It’s an alcoholic beverage widely consumed in all of Europe and the USA.

Apple juice is left to ferment in barrels. The natural sugars in carbohydrates of fruits like apple get broken down by yeast and bacteria and turned into ethanol (alcohol).

Thus is born Apple Cider.

So what’s the difference between Apple Cider and Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple Cider is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol.When Apple Cider goes through a second round of fermentation, the ethanol gets converted into acetic acid, thus forming Apple Cider Vinegar.

Vinegar is an old fermentation process. The first traces of vinegar go back to almost 5000 BC in ancient Babylonia.

This indicates that the ancient cultures of Egypt, Babylon, Greece and Rome might have used ACV for its health benefits, antibacterial properties, preservative abilities…the list goes on.

Somewhere through the course of time, ACV was lost. And with it were lost the whole host of health benefits that it offers. But In recent times ACV has resurfaced and this ancient food is now being used for the many benefits it provides.

What is ACV?

As we have already established, ACV is formed when Apple Juice is fermented into Apple Cider, then fermented again to form ACV.

Let’s try to breakdown ACV further into its nutritional components.

Scientific evidence shows more or less negligible nutritional value of ACV. But that doesn’t mean it has no value at all.

ACV is diluted acetic acid. Acetic acid helps induce a higher absorption from the food consumed. This plays a significant role in its “magical” health benefits. Its capability to aid absorption is a gold mine on its own.

Like any other vinegar, ACV is approximately 5% acid. Therefore, drinking apple cider vinegar in large proportions can actually be harmful. All one needs is about a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to get all the benefits associated with it.

Now that we know the formation and constituents of ACV, let’s look at its health benefits. We will also debunk some myths which have been doing the rounds, so that you don’t harm yourself.

The Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Anti-allergen

Allergies occur when a stimulant causes irritation to the system. Common colds, pollen and weather changes are examples of common stimulants. When this happens, the body produces histamine to combat the alien particles/sensations. The release of histamine helps but the effects of histamine on the body and the mind can hurt. Rashes, fever and swollen airways are too much to handle. In such a situation, a spoon of ACV with warm water may provide relief. ACV is a natural antihistamine which helps to slow down the production of histamines and quells the symptoms of allergy.

Arthritis Pain

Many on the internet claim that ACV cures arthritis—they’re mistaken. Arthritis is a condition which needs to be treated holistically and ACV can, at best, play its part by ‘aiding’ your pain relief efforts.

Calcium buildup in joints causes stiffness and pain. ACV contains potassium, which helps prevent this buildup. Accumulation of toxins is yet another cause of arthritis. The pectin in ACV helps remove the toxins from the body. A spoonful of Apple Cider Vinegar in a glass of water can help ease arthritis over time.

Diabetes Control

ACV has been found especially effective in controlling blood sugar levels and type-2 diabetes. Type-2 diabetes is characterised by insulin resistance. Studies have shown that taking ACV along with a high carbohydrate meal showed reduced spikes in blood sugar post the meal. This can also be used for pre-diabetics who are suffering from only High Blood Sugar levels. A separate study also found that consumption of ACV with a ‘cheese snack’ for dinner, reduced blood sugar levels the following morning. Thus it also helps to reduce fasting blood sugar levels.

Weight Loss

No, ACV does not ‘burn fat’ or ‘increase metabolism’, as many articles claim. Remember, when it comes to losing weight, there are no shortcuts—you need to change your lifestyle. But ACV can certainly support your efforts. Research shows that ACV intake reduces body weight, body fat mass, and serum triglyceride levels.

A spoonful of ACV with a cup of water just before meals can help you reach satiety earlier and keep you feeling full for longer.

Sore and Itchy throat

Germs cannot survive in an acidic environment. ACV being 5% acid can provide some respite when we have an itchy throat. A tablespoon of ACV mixed in warm water can be used for gargling. This can be repeated 2–3 times a day. Avoid taking ACV directly for it is too acidic and can irritate the throat.

Skin Care

Dermatologist Dr. Marie Jhin says it can be used for drying out pimples. She also gives a thumbs up to ACV as a home remedy for insect bites thanks to its acid content.

Dandruff

The acid content of ACV is supposed to stimulate the shedding of dead skin cells on the scalp. It also has antifungal characteristics that can keep your scalp healthy. Always dilute it in water before applying on scalp.

Body Odour

Applying ACV is a nifty solution to shun body odour. There are several causes of body odour from an underlying health condition to consumption of certain kinds of foods. ACV does not prevent the body odour but only acts as a natural and healthier substitute for a deodorant. It also provides an acidic barrier for the skin that helps to keep bacteria and germs at bay. If you have a serious issue with body odour, consult a qualified dermatologist.

Bad Breath

Bad breath, like bad body odour, could indicate an underlying condition. Improper food habits, indigestion and poor oral care/hygiene are the most obvious causes of bad breath. Gargling with a mixture of ACV and water can help reduce bad breath. Do not gargle with undiluted ACV as it can damage your teeth. Half a spoon of ACV in a glass of water is sufficient to kill odour causing bacteria.

Improved Nutrition

ACV has been known to aid absorption of nutrients from other foods. That means, consuming ACV makes other foods more nutritionally effective.

The Possible Myths

The above mentioned benefits are ones that are evidence based, backed by expert. But there are also other benefits doing rounds of the internet. These benefits are have not yet been conclusively established by research. Hence it’s wise to not take them at face value.

Here is a list of unverified benefits associated with Apple Cider Vinegar:

• Prevents/cures cancer
• Causes ‘instant’ weight loss
• Makes teeth healthy
• Cures varicose veins
• Whitens teeth
• Cures insomnia
• Cures baldness

Dosage and How to consume

In almost all scenarios, where ACV is applied to the body or consumed, it’s never used without dilution. Because of its acidic nature, it’s always diluted with water/honey.

The dosage is always about 2-3 [5ml-30ml] teaspoons per 200ml and no more.

It can also be consumed in foods like salad dressing. The best option is to use an organic, unfiltered version!

We’d like to conclude by saying Apple Cider Vinegar is not a “magic” food. It’s not a cure-all solution. But there is no doubt that it is a great addition to one’s diet and has some great benefits 🙂

If you enjoyed this article, share it immediately with your loved ones!

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Causes of dandruff

• Dry skin: Lack of moisture and sebum on the scalp can cause flaking
• Inflamed oily skin: Can cause sticky, itchy dandruff
• Irregular shampooing: Lack of regular cleaning could lead to pile-up of dead cells and flaking
• Fungal multiplication: Sometimes, the normal fungus in the scalp multiplies abnormally, leading to dandruff
• Haircare products: Irritation caused by haircare products like gels and hair dyes could lead to dandruff
• Diseases: Conditions such as psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and allergies may lead to scaling
• Climatic conditions: Cold and dry weather can lead to as well as exacerbate flaking.

Recognising dandruff

This sounds downright silly, does it not? Anyone can and does recognise dandruff. So, what is the big deal? The big deal is really in recognising when your dandruff needs attention. The top layer of the scalp—not unlike the skin—is composed of dead cells which need to be shed periodically for the new cell cycle to continue.

So, theoretically a little dandruff is normal, necessary even. But it should be totally free of itching and other symptoms. However, when you start scratching your head frequently or find dandruff falling on your shoulders, clothes and face, it signals a deeper issue and should be addressed urgently.

Normal scalp health

The health of our scalp is maintained by multiple factors such as our overall health, diet and the good bacteria we consume through our food. So, if any of these factors is altered, the organisms that usually reside in our scalp can also start multiplying, worsening the scaling on the surface. Increased secretion of sebum is the starting point, which then promotes continued proliferation of the organisms, leading to increased scaling.

This could, in many cases, be the precursor to other symptoms and conditions as well.

Tests to determine dandruff

Patients always ask me whether there are any tests available to determine dandruff. The answer is, no. This is because a good clinician will correlate the patient’s symptoms and the clinical appearance and arrive at a clear-cut reasoning on the causes of the dandruff and how to treat it. The only thing to keep in mind is that chronic dandruff can sometimes be a precursor to conditions like psoriasis. Thus, any dandruff not responding to regular care for over six months requires a visit to the dermatologist.

Diet and dandruff

Diet plays an important role in scalp and hair health. From the perspective of dandruff, it is important to eat a diet that consists of food items that are anti-inflammatory and are rich in antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables of different colours, and whole grains help in providing this balance. Inclusion of zinc, B vitamins and certain good fats is also vital. So, include fish, eggs and walnuts as well as flax seeds in your diet.

Treating dandruff

Treating dandruff needs a multi-pronged approach which I often refer to as the SCALP approach:

• Shampoo often: If you have an oily scalp, daily shampooing may help prevent dandruff.
• Cut back on styling products: Hair sprays, styling gels, mousses and hair waxes can cause build-up on your hair and scalp, making them oilier.
• Aim to eat healthy every day: Include as many things as possible from the above list to ensure good scalp health.
• Learn to manage stress: Stress affects your overall health and can trigger dandruff or worsen existing symptoms.
• Pick your shampoo judiciously: Knowing which anti-dandruff shampoo works best for you is the key to staying dandruff-free.

The good news is that over-the-counter [OTC] shampoos do work for commonly found dandruff. Here are some of the popular ingredients that work:

• Zinc pyrithione: Another anti-scaling and anti-fungal ingredient that slows down the growth of microorganisms that cause dandruff and similar conditions, such as scalp psoriasis. In addition, it improves the texture and shine of your hair, and controls any unpleasant odour that your scalp may emit.
• Selenium sulphide: One of the oldest anti-dandruff ingredients, it is quite effective in controlling scaling but could irritate the scalp. So, even though it is available OTC, I would recommend consulting your dermatologist first.

How to choose the right shampoo

The first thing each of us does when we have dandruff is to buy an anti-dandruff shampoo. So, look for one of the ingredients listed above. In case one shampoo does not work, look for another one with a different ingredient.

It is important to understand that dandruff is recurrent and that shampoos must therefore be used routinely and regularly.

It is also important to reach all areas of the scalp adequately and to leave the shampoo in for four to five minutes before rinsing thoroughly. If necessary, reapply and rinse again. Shampooing may be necessary every day when you first begin using your antidandruff shampoo, but you can eventually settle down to a once- or twice-a-week routine.

What the doctor does

The dermatologist will rule out all underlying causes—like a possible psoriasis, seborrhoei- dermatitis, etc.—in case of chronic dandruff. In the event that the dandruff seems sticky, the doctor will prescribe oral tablets—anti-fungal or antibiotic—to control the infection. In certain cases, topical steroids may also be prescribed, along with a steroid shampoo. Any other underlying conditions will be treated appropriately, according to the diagnosis.

Flake not, freak not!

Chronic dandruff is known to cause tremendous stress and social embarrassment, especially to younger individuals. However, knowing that it can be controlled easily can help alleviate a lot of this turmoil. It is important to spend time with your doctor to understand your condition fully and to recognise that the resolution of the condition is eminently easy.

Excerpted with permission from Let’s Talk Hair by Aparna Santhanam, published by Collins

This was first published in the November 2013 issue of Complete Wellbeing.

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