Tag: Healthy Hair

Heal Damaged Hair-Take Care Of Daily Damage

I know that many of the things we do to our hair on a daily basis isn’t good for it. To help heal damaged hair there are many things you can do. You can also become more proactive and change some of your daily habits to limit the amount of damage you do to your hair in the first place.

In this article I will provide you with some simple tips to heal damaged hair, but as importantly, I will also give you some ideas of simple changes you can make so you don’t do as much damage in the first place.

So, here we go.

First off, to prevent damage there are many things you can do. One of the simplest is to cut down on the amount of heat you use on your hair. As much as possible try to time washing your hair to a time when you can let it air dry.

It might mean a change in your schedule but it can also result in better, more healthy looking hair.

Instead of showering in the morning, for example, why not take your shower earlier in the evening the night before? That way you can allow your hair to air dry. Than, if you need to, you can just get rid of your bed head in the morning by using a damp comb.

Another ultra simple thing to do to prevent damage in the first place is to limit the number of times you wash your hair. True, this will be easier if you are like me and you have dry hair and scalp as opposed to oily hair and scalp.

Though if you suffer from oily hair, your hair is probably not that damaged in the first place. Washing your hair every other day or every third day is perfectly fine for most people.

If you workout and sweat a lot you may need to wash it more during the week, but lay off the washings on the weekends when you aren’t working out.

Also, find more all natural shampoos. Many of the hair care products on the market are very hard on your hair. They are loaded with drying, potentially toxic chemicals that can really damage your hair.

Just finding less harsh shampoos can make a big difference.

If you do have some damage despite your best efforts one easy thing to do is go in for a trim. Your stylist can cut off the ends which is where you will find most of the damage.

Another thing you can do is to use a deep moisturizing treatment once a week. Also, find a shampoo that is made specifically for dry, damaged hair.

You can even turn to your refrigerator for help with damaged hair. Adding mayonnaise to your hair like a conditioner can help with some damage.

And, one last point, don’t overlook the important of the food you put in your body too. Beauty starts on the inside and works it’s way out. Make sure you eat a well balanced diet, get plenty of rest, drink enough water and keep your bad habits to a minimum.

Prevention in anything is usually the best way to go. When talking about keeping your hair healthy it’s just as true as when talking about keeping your whole body healthy.

Be willing to make simple changes and you can prevent dry hair so you won’t have to worry about how to heal damaged hair.

5 Steps To Perfect Hair

Your hair is your crowning glory. Look after it and it will shine for all the world to see. You dont always need expensive treatments, or visits to a hair salon to manage your hair professionally. Theres so much you can do yourself.

1. For shiny, healthy hair think first of your bodys intake. Your hair is really just a reflection of what you are inside. A good balanced, nutritious and healthy diet will do more to make your hair shine than any shampoo or conditioner. And drink eight to ten glasses of water a day too; hair is 25% water, so dont let yours go thirsty!

2. Dry your hair after washing in the ambient temperature of your room after using an absorbent towel to soak up the excess moisture, but dont rub hard. If possible, dont use blow-drying, flat irons, curling irons or hot rollers. Artificial heating will leave your hair brittle and damaged in time. Be natural whenever you can.

3. Prevent unnecessary hair damage by using the right kind of hairbrush. Only comb wet hair with a wide-tooth comb, combing from end to root, but avoiding touching the root. Detangling wet hair with a hard steel comb can create a lot of damage, so dont!

4. Remove trichoptlosis, or split ends, like this: take small sections of your hair and carefully twist them in a gentle downward motion. The split ends will stick out. Using sharp scissors, carefully cut into the twisted section, but not right through, to remove the damaged cuticles and leave a natural layered look. Cut roughly the same amount from each twist to balance the effect.

5. Hair loss can be slowed, or even reversed by applying a few simple tips, though they probably wont cure an underlying condition. Biotin can help to regenerate hair follicles: blend bananas with honey, yoghurt and low-fat milk, and drink it daily. Supplements such as Vitamin B6, zinc and saw palmetto will help too, but eliminating stress and getting plenty of sleep may work just as well.

We are all obsessed with our hair, whether we are 9 or 90, male or female. Look after yourself first and foremost and your hair will reflect that care and attention. The Biblical Samsons strength lay in his fine flowing hair. Your hair reflects your strength too.

Top Nutritional Tips to Support Healthy Hair Growth

1. Eat adequate amounts of protein.

Protein is composed of the amino acids essential for the building of new cells, including hair. Five amino acids are of particular relevance to hair growth – cystine, cysteine, methionine, arginine and lysine.

Inadequate protein intake over a lengthy period can force hair into the resting phase with shedding a few months later.

It is obvious then that sufficient portions of protein rich foods should form part of your daily diet. The best sources of dietary protein are lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, soy, nuts, grains and seeds. At least 15% of your daily calories should come from protein-rich foods.

2. Eat adequate amounts of useful carbohydrates.

Carbs are an essential source of energy and help in the growth of body tissues, including hair. They are an important source of the B vitamins that are vital to healthy hair.

It is important that you concentrate on consuming non-refined carbs rather than the sugars and white flour that are so prevalent in many over-refined carb products. You should place an emphasis on consuming vegetables, fruits, whole grains, brown rice and potatoes. It is recommended that you obtain 55-60% of your daily calories from the carbohydrates found in these foods.

3. Achieve a healthy balance of dietary fats.

Fat is used in energy production and can be found in both animal and plant foods. Your body needs sufficient levels of fat to maintain good health. That fat should be obtained from a mixture of lean animal and plant sources. Roughly 25-30% of your daily calories should come from these sources.

4. The right nutritional balance is one that suits your personal circumstances.

How much of each food group you eat depends on a host of factors including age, sex, health and level of physical activity.

When choosing meals and snacks, take account of the following key principles of sound nutrition:

– Eat a variety of foods.

– Apply moderation to your consumption of junk foods.
– Choose natural and lightly processed foods as often as possible.

– Do not over cook.

5. Support a nutritious diet with a few carefully chosen supplements.

Following a nutritious diet is essential for good hair health, but on its own this may not be sufficient for a number of reasons:

– Modern farming methods may deplete the nutrient quality of food.

– High stress levels may diminish nutrients in your body.

– Dieting may affect nutrient levels.

– Aging reduces the ability of our bodies to utilize certain nutrients.

– Exercise can deplete some nutrients.

It may be sufficient to supplement with a well-balanced multi-vitamin / mineral product but a number of products are available that specifically cater for the requirements of healthy hair.

Male Pattern Baldness – Causes, Symptoms Treatment

Androgenetic alopecia, better known as male pattern baldness, is a fact of life for millions of men. The most common type of hair loss for men, it is best identified as a pattern of receding hairline and hair thinning on the crown. It is estimated to affect 90 percent of men by the age of 50 as a consequence of hormonal function and genetics.

Many different treatments exist to combat pattern baldness, including medicines such as finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) and procedures such as hair transplantation. More than ever before, men with male pattern baldness are seeking out companies such as Bosley to perform hair transplant procedures for a permanent restoration of their natural hairlines.

Causes

Male pattern baldness is related to hormones called androgens, specifically an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It attaches to receptor cells on the scalp and hair follicles, interrupting and interacting with the normal mechanics involved with continual, healthy hair growth. Men whom display male pattern baldness typically have lower levels testosterone, but a proportionately higher level of DHT in their body. Other factors such as lifestyle factors and terminal illness may cause hair loss as well.

Symptoms

The most notable symptom of the onset of male pattern baldness is hair loss along the hairline that gradually recedes into an M shape. The hair at the crown begins to thin, eventually meeting the receding hairline and creating a horseshoe pattern of hair around the sides of the head. Male pattern baldness is typically diagnosed by the appearance of this pattern. Other diseases such as alopecia areata or folliculitis may cause dissimilar balding patterns and should not be diagnosed as male pattern baldness.

Treatment

Medicinal treatments for male pattern baldness include Propecia and Rogaine. Both are more successful at slowing hair loss than exhibiting new hair growth. Needless to say, unlike hair transplantation as offered by companies like Bosley, no medicinal treatment is a permanent solution for male pattern baldness. Of the two, Propecia is most successful with male pattern baldness as it inhibits the growth of DHT androgens. Take a look at the Propecia and Rogaine sections on BattleAgainstBald.com to learn more about how the treatments work and their effectiveness.

Hair transplantation is very effective at treating male pattern baldness. Since hair follicles from the side and back of the head are resistant to the DHT androgens, hair simply must be transplanted from healthy parts of the scalp to the affected areas.

The surgery has become increasingly popular in the last few years. Since 2004, there has been a 34% increase in hair transplant procedures, according to a survey conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS). The increase is a result of an increase in effectiveness of the procedure and the natural results it yields. In 2006-2010, approximately 87% of hair restoration surgeries were for patients with pattern baldness.

F. Ex. Bosley Medical has performed over 200,000 of such procedures, making it one of the most reputable resources for victims of male pattern baldness to seek treatment.