Wish you had Stronger Hair?

Healthy stronger hair is not achieved just by looking after your 'crowning glory', it also depends very much on how well you look after yourself.

A fit body and good blood circulation with the correct nutrient balance allows every part of you to perform to the ultimate degree.   

Although heredity plays a major role, we know that illness and poor nutrition can cause thinning hair in both men and women, but stress can also play it's part.

How to achieve and maintain stronger hair

What you eat and drink, how healthy you keep your body, the products you use on your hair and how you treat it - all of these issues are reflected in your hair.

Are your locks dull, dry and lifeless? Hair follicles extend into the skin's layers so they can benefit from the abundant supply of blood, nourishing oxygen and the relevant nutrients. Are you missing any of those nutrients?

Any steps you can take towards promoting general good health will go a long way towards helping to achieve healthy skin as well as stimulating and maintaining healthy hair follicles.

Internal factors - Your overall health

External factors that damage the hair

• too much sun breaks down nutrients, ages cuticles, coarsens and fades color
  

• over-use of bleaching, permanents, heated styling tools and harsh products

• severe weather, wind and the cold
  

• central heating and air conditioning
  

• Swimming pool chlorine sucks the natural oils from hair leaving it dry and rough

Damage limitation

• cover when swimming, use good leave-in conditioner and rinse hair well

• limit extreme styling and heated tools to a minimum; try to dry hair naturally

• protect hair from harsh weather conditions where possible

• avoid over-dry atmosphere with humidifiers

Top foods for stronger hair

The cells that make up each strand of hair require a regular supply of key nutrients.

Protein: Hair is primarily protein therefore sufficient protein is crucial - choose meat, chicken, fish and eggs and vegetarian protein such as legumes and pulses. 

Iron: a lack of iron causes hair loss. A good supply of red meat, chicken and fish; for vegetarians lentils, spinach, broccoli and leafy green vegetables.

Vitamin C: antioxidant to aid the absorption of iron into the body. Eat blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, kiwi, citrus, strawberries and sweet potatoes.

Omega-3: fatty acids not produced by the body keep the scalp/hair hydrated; salmon, herring, sardines, trout, mackerel, avocado, pumpkin seeds and walnuts. 

Vitamins: Vitamin A is needed by the body to produce sebum and prevent a dry and itchy scalp; animal products and orange/yellow coloured vegetables which are high in beta-carotene such as carrots, pumpkins and sweet potatoes. Nuts are a strong provider of Vitamin E to prevent sun damage just the same as our skin.   

Zinc and selenium: A lack of zinc can lead to hair loss and a dry, flaky scalp so ensure that you include complex carbohydrates like wholegrain cereals and bread.

Natural treatment

Make a natural hair mask quickly and easily with 1 egg yolk, half a mashed avocado and a spoonful of honey.  Massage it into your clean damp hair and leave for 30 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly and dry.  If you repeat this every week or so you'll soon notice a difference. 

Afro textured hair

The twisted and curly shaft of Afro textured hair (often known as Afro American hair) is particularly susceptible to damage.

In it's unaltered state, when it hasn't been altered by electrical tools, straighteners, perming or relaxing etc. it has an extremely wiry and read more...