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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However, in a majority of cases for hair loss, it can be uncertain as to what the source was and whether a transplant is the best solution. That is why we have compiled some reasons that might have been the cause just for you. Let’s take a closer look, below.

Not enough protein

Protein is an essential part of our diet and should be consumed on a daily basis for healthy hair. Failure to eat food with protein in, such as meat and seafood, can result in your body slowing or stopping hair growth in order to ration the protein that you have left in your body.

If you have a lack of protein in your diet and opt for a hair transplant, for example, then you may find that your hair will begin to stop growing about 2 – 3 months post-treatment, due to the decrease your protein intake.

Emotional stress

This cause is huge among those who experience hair loss. Although physical stress can contribute, emotional stress has an extremely big impact. Unfortunately, as humans, we experience rather a lot of emotional stress, such as when a loved one dies or if we get divorced, which in turn can have a negative impact on hair follicles

Studies have been conducted to show how the chemistry of hair follicles change when we are stressed, which in turn can result in hair loss. However, this can be overcome through relaxation, exercise and even therapy, which can all help to restart the natural cycle of hair growth.

Aggravation to your hair

We like to spend a lot of time styling our hair, but sometimes we can aggravate it too much and this can lead to hair loss. Extreme styling, including tight braiding, hot-oil treatment and the use of harsh chemicals have a profound effect on the hair root, which means that your hair may never grow back. Try not to over style it, apply less heat and condition after you shampoo your hair to truly enhance its health.

Hormones

In most cases, hair loss is only spoken about for men; however, it is, in fact, a common problem in women too. Hormones from pregnancy, birth-control pills and even menopause can all result in the loss of hair. It is typically a problem when there is a change in the balance of your hormones and while this can be permanent in some cases, it can often return to a normal growth pattern when things balance out again.

Male pattern baldness

Two-thirds of the male population will experience hair loss by the time they reach 60 years of age. This is caused by a combination of male sex hormones and genes, typically known as male pattern baldness, and results in the victim’s hair receding at the temples. This condition is also referred to as androgenetic alopecia and begins as thinning of the hair, which gradually leads to baldness.

So there you have it, a number of reasons that could be the cause of your hair loss. Visit a professional if you are suffering and they will be able to help you and suggest where you can go to undergo transplants or therapy in order to resolve your hair loss and regain your confidence.

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Why pollution is such a big deal

Exposure to pollution creates free radicals in the body, which eventually get linked to the healthy cells of our skin and hair causing damage. What’s more, pollution reduces the moisture content of our skin by depleting the protective barrier and makes the skin lose its suppleness and glow, hastening the appearance of wrinkles.

Dust can also oxidise inside your pores, clogging them and leading to pimples. There is also evidence that age spots appear early if you are being exposed to a lot of pesticides and toxins. Industrial level particulate matter can physically damage the skin, manifesting as redness and rash.

The increase in particulate pollution, chemical waste and pesticides has a direct and visible effect on our skin and hair

Increasing levels of air pollution also causes hair loss due to oxidative stress and free radical damage, apart from the loss of sheen. Researchers are increasingly identifying a condition known as ‘sensitive scalp syndrome’, due to increase in chemical as well as particulate pollution, causing oily scalp, dandruff, itching, pricking and pain in the roots of hair. It is common in folks who have migrated recently to an urban polluted city. Phew! So how do we save our skin and hair?

Eight commandments to pollution-proof your skin

Here are eight commandments that you must adhere to in order to keep your skin protected from the harmful effects of pollution.

1. Create a barrier to protect: Physical protection is the easiest and one of the most effective ways of saving your skin and hair from the wrath of pollution, and as a bonus, sun damage. Cover yourself up. Use scarves, gloves, hats or masks every time you go out and will be exposed to pollution. What can’t touch you, won’t harm you.
2. Use antioxidants to fight free radicals: They have to be our hero in the fight against free radicals. What free radicals leech from our skin, antioxidants replenish. Antioxidants can be consumed in the form of supplements and food. You can also apply an antioxidant rich serum at night after washing your face and, if you don’t mind the layering, also under your sunscreen when you step out. Increase your intake of green leafy vegetables, bight coloured foods like tomatoes, peppers, carrots and berries, nuts, and citrus fruits. Omega-3 fatty acids can be consumed in the form of food or pills, as they are anti-inflammatory too and also help in barrier repair.
3. Unload the grime: Cleanse your skin off those nasty dust particles and toxins. Choose a non-soap based cleanser which is not harsh on your skin. If you have oily skin use a salicylic acid based cleanser; if your skin is dry, stick to a creamy cleanser. Make it a habit to wash your face as soon as you get back home. While travelling, keep wet wipes handy to clean your face frequently. Twice a week, exfoliate your skin with a physical or chemical exfoliator. If your skin is sensitive, don’t use a granule based scrub as it may cause micro injuries to the skin. Instead consult your dermatologist for a glycolic or salicylic acid based product to be applied on your skin overnight at least once a week.
4. Hydrate, in and out: Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water. There is no fixed measure of how much is plenty as everyone’s needs vary, but try to keep your daily water intake to not less than two litres. Dehydrated skin is more prone to damage. Apply an antioxidant/retinol containing moisturiser at night.
5. Sunscreen: Sunscreen is a guard not only against sun but also against pollution. It creates a layer on your skin deflecting as well as trapping the nanoparticles of dust and toxins thus preventing them from reaching the skin and causing damage. Be very generous with the quantity of sunscreen you apply and remember to re-apply it every four hours to keep the protection intact. But it’s important to choose a non-greasy sunscreen—you don’t want more dust and grime sticking to your face.
6. Don’t forget to care for your eyes: Wear oversized sunglasses, even on a cloudy day. Dust and pollution, apart from the direct effect it has on the skin, might cause strain in your eyes causing early onset of crow’s feet.
7. Tame your mane: Avoid using harsh sodium lauryl based shampoo everyday, or very frequently. Use an EDTA based shampoo [swimmer’s shampoo] at least once weekly to chelate the harmful chemical toxins deposited on the scalp. Rinse the shampoo properly to avoid any residues. Use a leave-in conditioner or a serum post shampoo, as it creates a barrier around the shaft of your hair and keeps it safe from the effects of pollution.
8. Oil the damage away: Coconut oil is a great tool to protect the hair from damage. According to researchers, oil occupies the internal spaces in the hair and prevents entry of dust, dirt, pollutants and chemicals into the hair shaft, thus preventing hair damage.

A version of this article was first published in the December 2015 issue of Complete Wellbeing.

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Going on a weight loss diet? Don’t forget your locks

If you’re going on a weight loss diet, it will most likely involve the exclusion of carbohydrates. Such harsh restrictions create a lot of stress on your system, and also damage the hair follicles, hampering hair growth. Include 5 – 6 servings of fruits and vegetables per day to maintain a healthy intake of carbs. To ensure that this does not interfere with your weight loss goals, go for fruits and vegetables that are low in fructose and starch but high in fibre. Whole grains and cereal are a complex form of carbohydrate providing nutrition for the hair. Say no to refined products and table sugar.

Is there enough protein on your plate?

Proteins are the building blocks of your hair [and all the cells in your body]. It not only enhances hair growth but also maintains good lustre. If you’re an egg lover, gorge on the scrambled eggs, omelettes or boiled eggs. Weight watchers should avoid eating egg yolks everyday, consume it only twice a week. You can include it as a breakfast option or for dinners in the form of bhurji with roti or boiled egg white salad and soup. Eggs provide essential amino acid required for healthy hair. If you are a vegetarian then paneer paratha or paneer wraps make for good hair healthy breakfast option. In sea food, salmon is best source of protein for hair.

These fats won’t make you fat

Don’t restrict yourself from consuming the recommended allowances of good unsaturated fat. Fats help in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K which are necessary for hair growth. Walnuts and almonds are good for hair health. Have 4 – 6 nuts as a pre-lunch or pre-dinner snack. Note that eggs also provide unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids required for your hair.

Will drinking lots of water help?

Only water will not help. But it is required to absorb biotin, a hair-friendly vitamin. So a diet rich in biotin and lots of water will surely help. Drink 10 – 12 glasses of water per day and also include fresh fruit juices, vegetable juices or soups in your diet. Carrots, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, cauliflower, eggs, strawberries and goji berries are all rich in biotin. So have lots of these.

Vital vitaminerals

Vitamins and minerals, though termed as micronutrients, play a key role in keeping your hair healthy. Without these micronutrients all the efforts taken for hair care would amount to nothing. Consumption of foods rich in B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, iron, and zinc promote the growth of hair. Low levels of zinc weaken the hair follicles causing the strands to break. Low haemoglobin level caused by a deficiency of iron is directly associated with weakening of hair follicles. Spinach is a good source of calcium, iron and B-complex vitamins. You can consume it in the form of vegetables, soups, or parathas. You can even use spinach as a base for making gravies and pasta sauces. Raisins and dates are abundant in minerals and vitamins. Add them to your porridge and smoothies. Practise a daily exercise routine and ensure you get eight hours of sound sleep as this shall reduce physical stress to your system.  Remember stress stops the hair growth or slows it down. Stop worrying and adopt good coping abilities to handle your emotional stress as it can be detrimental to healthy hair growth.

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