Guide for Healthy Hair
Hair is one of the
assets a human being has been blessed with. It is that part of our body which
can be styled, braided, grown long or kept short, coloured, highlighted, and so
on.. the list is long. Hence we can understand the immeasurable distress a
person goes through if something goes wrong with their hair. Common problems
affecting the hair and scalp include hair loss, infections, and disorders
causing itching and scaling.
Hair loss (alopecia) is a frequent concern for both men and women,
although it is normal to shed some hair each day. Normally, hair goes through a
regular growth cycle. During the anagen phase, which lasts three to four years,
the hair grows. During the telogen phase, which lasts about three months, the
hair rests. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair falls out and is replaced
by new hair.
The average person loses
about 100 hairs each day. Hair loss also can have other causes, including drugs
or disease.
People who experience
more than normal hair loss may have the inherited tendency to "common
baldness." Male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in
men, with a receding hair line and baldness on the top of the head. Women may
develop female pattern baldness in which the hair becomes thin over the entire
scalp. Sudden and temporary loss of a large amount of hair may be related to
the stress of an illness or recent delivery of a baby. Alopecia areata causes
hair loss in small, round patches while tight elastics or braids may cause hair
loss at the hairline. Certain diseases (eg, thyroid problems, diabetes, and
lupus), medicines, or poor nutrition may also cause hair loss. Infections of
the scalp include bacterial infection of hair follicles, infestation of head
lice, and fungal infection of scalp ringworm. Itching and excessive flaking of
the scalp is seen with both dandruff and psoriasis. Split ends, frizzy hair, dry hair are also common
complaints. The condition of hair depends not only on the state of health and mind,
but on regular external and internal care or lack of it. Like skin, hair also
responds to the right kind of care. "Your hair grows about 1/4 to
1/2 inch every month, and the foundation of all of our new hair, skin, and nail growth is the nutrients we eat," says Dawn
Jackson Blatner, RD, a Chicago-based dietician. "If you eat a healthy diet, you will grow stronger and healthier cells throughout your
entire body -- inside and out."
The hair requires nourishment
from the inside to maintain its health. Your diet is as important for hair as
for every part of the body. A gentle
shampoo and healthy conditioner is the most common advice you will get while
discussing hair fall or wondering about hair quality along with your
hairdresser, friends or aunts. However, it does not require a multitude of hair
products or handfuls of expensive vitamins to get luxurious locks.
Let us take a look at what can be done to prevent
and restore hair damage -
- Use a mild hair loss shampoo which gives adequate nutrition as well as cleans dirt, oil and the build-up of product residue that cause hair to thin and fall-out. Hydrate yourself well, we recommend drinking at least 1.5litre of water every day.
- Protein is necessary for strong healthy hair as hair is made up of keratin which is a protein. So, include for non-vegetarians - lean meat, fish egg and for vegetarians - paneer, yoghurt, dals, peas, beans and nuts.
- The B-Complex vitamins are extremely important for hair. It has been seen that these vitamins not only help to maintain the health and shine of hair but also prevent hair fall. Include adequate quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables eaten raw as this ensures the supply of vitamins, minerals and enzymes.
- Minerals that are essential for healthy hair are iron, zinc, magnesium, sulphur, potassium, phosphorous and iodine.
- A deficiency of iron is the cause of dull and brittle hair and if not corrected, can lead to hair fall. Sulphur and iodine play an important protective role.
- Eat a green leafy vegetable daily.
- Eat whole grain cereals like wheat, atta, ragi - atleast once a day.
- Wheat germ contains concentrated minerals. So, buy a bottle of wheat germ and sprinkle 1 teaspoon into your milk, porridge, upma, toast or anything you eat for breakfast.
- Take 5-10 soaked almonds daily. These are high in minerals and vitamins.
- Include a salad made with vegetables like carrot, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage everyday in your diet. Add sprouts to this salad. They contain a lot of vit. C and B complex. For low calorie dressings, use lemon juice.
- Yoghurt (curd) is a wonder food as far as hair is concerned. So, take as much of yoghurt as you can.
- Avoid overcooked, fried foods, confectionary items, aerated drinks which provide empty calories and have no nutritional value.
- Coffee, alcoholic drinks and cigarettes cause a depletion of vitamins.
- Use a soft brush, do not comb your hair when wet; detangle from bottom to the top.
- Sanitise your implements i.e. brushes, combs etc by washing them in dettol at least once a week.
- You can also drink a glass of vegetable juice made with carrots, tomatoes, spinach and lettuce to which juice of half a lemon has been added.
- Take 2 tablets of yeast (brewers yeast) if you do not want to take the B complex.
- Take iron tablets if you are anaemic.
Usually in case of excess hair fall, to grow back
the lost hair is partially successful; but, the hair that remains needs to be
taken care of.
It will help you a lot to set up a protective-care
routine as protection is the best way of preventing problems like hair damage
and hair loss. In fact, a proper routine would also help reverse the damage and
nurse the hair back to health. Hair is
your ultimate accessory; it can make (or mar) your looks instantaneously.
Keeping it healthy is the only thing you can do to ensure they look fab.
Remember that diet and lifestyle are two leading factors that affect the health
of your hair. The most important aspect of any treatment is the correct
diagnosis. It is advisable to seek professional help for appropriate therapy.
For further details visit us at URJAA HOMOEOPATHIC
CENTRE or
Call +919769283173 / 022 42954400
Email: response@urjaa.in
, urjaahc@gmail.com Website: www.urjaa.in
