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10 Ways To Strengthen Your Hair

People who have weak hair also have to live with not being able to style it as much as they would like to, because doing so often causes further damage to already weakened hair. Because the strands are weak, there’s the fear of breaking them and they don’t stay very long in the curls you’ve styled them in. At times, this is due to a person’s genetic makeup. Other times it’s because of an unfortunate medical condition. Furthermore, the continuous use of styling products can damage your hair further with their chemical ingredients. Your hair may seem like it has a mind of its own at times, but if you treat it nice with the right kind of pampering, you’ll end up with long, strong and thick hair.

Washing Your Hair

Using the correct shampoo and conditioner has an adverse effect on the health of your hair. Matching the appropriate shampoo with your hair type and style routine can save you the trouble of dealing with further damage. If you tend to use tools that expose your hair to heat a lot, opt for a hair-washing product that can help. Avoid using a straightener and instead try product that straightens or defrizzes hair. If your hair is prone to breaking, go for products with which may work to renew or restore your hair – or simply ones that prevent breakage. Make sure your hair remains moisturized too as heat can dry out your hair.

The use of products which offer protein treatment to your hair can make it thicker and stronger. Also remember to use a gentle microfiber towel after you’ve washed your hair, as has a higher rate of absorbing water.

Styling – the necessary evil

As mentioned, the use of styling applications that expose your hair to heat, such as hair straighteners and blow-dryers, end up weakening your hair strands, causing an increase in breakages. If you absolutely can’t do without using a hair dryer or flat-iron, make use of a protective coat with the help of a serum prior to exposing your hair to heat. An ionic blow-dryer, which is twice as efficient as a regular one because it dries your hair in half the time, is recommended for blow-drying. When using a straightener, make sure that it has porous ceramic coating which can prevent frizz and hair breakage. Also remember, when brushing your hair to make use of a brush in which the bristles are rounded, i.e. ball-tipped, rather than sharp and jagged; or a wide-toothed comb, which will be less rough on your scalp. Also remember not to brush your hair too much as it can lead to further breakages.

Keeping Your Skin Healthy

Using circular motions with your fingertips, massage your scalp every night to increase the blood flow. Begin at the bottom of your neck, moving upwards to your hairline. You can even do this while shampooing and washing your hair.

Maintain a protein rich diet to help nurture your hair, as hair is made of a protein called keratin.

Eating food rich in protein, such as meats and nuts will give your hair a boost. Also remember to go for regular trims to remove split ends and prevent brittle hair that breaks.

How To Navigate Chemical Products

The use of hair dyes and products with chemicals can be damaging for your hair. It can cause damage to your hair by drying it out and weakening it, as hair dyes contain the chemicals peroxide and ammonia. Instead of using chemical laden products, opt for an alternative products that are available in the market. The use of as henna, or semi-permanent would lessen the damage you are causing your hair as they contain no chemical agents. These products work on your hair for a temporary time. In giving up permanent hair dye, you will get color that lasts from 2-8 weeks or mre – but you will have healthier hair in the long run. Look for dyes that are designed to prevent dry hair, such as one that includeoils, as they will lock in moisture. If pencil straight hair is your beauty dream and your flat iron keeps on damaging your hair, try products with stearyl alcohol. Remember that opting to style your hair so that its curled, straightened, primped or permed look good but in the long run they lead to weak follicles.

When To Worry

People who suffer from alopecia or experience an increasingly high rate of shedding hair that exceeds 100 strands a day should consult a doctor for treatment.

Diet For Hair Growth

You recently decided got a haircut that ended up being a major disappointment because it didn’t end up meeting your expectations of maintaining your hair length, or you have simply been trying for what seems like forever, to grow out your hair – either way it feels like you’re being tortured as you silently wait with such minor results.

It requires patience and plenty of time – but other than that, luckily, there are a few things you can do to make it happen faster. Hopefully, it won’t have you feeling like waiting for a watched pot to boil because there’s something you can actively do. Eating strategically, focusing on these scientifically backed foods which nurture hair growth, will help hasten the process of growing your hair out.

Salmon:

Salmon is abundant with nutrition that enhances the health of your hair – it should be a super food for hair. It has protein and Vitamin D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. These make your hair grow faster by encouraging a healthy scalp.

Yellow Peppers:

Did you know that when it comes to vitamin C, yellow bell-peppers are a better source than oranges? They have more than five times the amount found in oranges! Because it’s an anti-oxidant, vitamin C adds strength to your hair by preventing breakage.

Oysters:

Hair loss has been attributed to a zinc deficiency as it results in an unhealthy scalp. Fortunately, oysters are full of zinc. It contains so much zinc that three ounces is more than three times the amount you need in a day. Be wary of oysters that hail from the Gulf of Mexico, as they may contain cadmium as a result of the oil spill in 2010.

Eggs:

Like salmon, another ideal source for your body to consume the required kinds of fat – omega-3 fatty acids – can be found in eggs. But eggs prove to be more beneficial to your hair’s health as they also happen to have the micronutrient biotin, one of the go-to supplements people consume for healthy hair. Be careful to limit your consumption, bearing in mind that the yolk of the egg, not the egg whites, contains the nutrients your hair is looking for. If you overdo on the amount of egg whites you consume, it will be counter-intuitive as it blocks the retention of biotin.

Sunflower Seeds:

Seeds that contain a substantial of vitamin E are sunflower seeds. Vitamin E is a useful nutrient for hair care as it increases the blood circulation to your scalp. It therefore increases stimulation of hair growth by making your circulation system up there more efficient.

Sweet Potatoes:

Sweet potatoes contain a nutrient called beta carotene. These are significant for your hair as they play a vital part in giving you a robust scalp as a precursor for vitamin A. Bear in mind that high doses of vitamin A, specifically over 25000 milligrams, can be harmful for you. So sweet potatoes all the way!

Avocados:

Avocados are go-to food for beauty. They are an abundant source of the essential fatty acids, which makes skin soft and healthy – and that includes the skin on the top of your head, otherwise known as your scalp. To increase the production of collagen and elastin in your hair, making it more durable, apply and consume avocados. To apply, its recommended that a mixture of the fruit with sour cream be used, as the lactic acid acts as an exfoliate and removes dead skin cells. Leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing it off to remove it.

Almonds:

Another good source of biotin can be found in almonds. Munching on a cup every day will help you meet around 30 percent of the bodies daily need of biotin. Within a couple of months, you will start to notice that your hair has in fact grown faster and appears thicker and fuller.

How Women Can Grow Long Luscious Locks

The average person experiences a hair growth rate of six inches every year. However, as people age, the rate at which new hair cells can grow becomes progressively slower. Many women aspire to have hair that grows longer and faster, while still maintaining its luster and health. Sometimes, this seems easier said than done given the rate at which hair grows and gets damaged. It may seem like a no-win situation but luckily, there are a few things you can do to make your hair grow longer, even if you suffer from hair loss courtesy of unfortunate genetics or happen to be stressed. The following will help you nourish your scalp, and by proxy, make your hair longer and healthier.

Using Oils

According to studies, one of the effects of using peppermint essential oils is increased hair growth. Scalp massage bars that contain peppermint oil are available, or you can opt to use essential oils – which you can even make yourself at home.

Take a little bit and rub it on your palms, before massaging it into your scalp to help stimulate blood flow and let the peppermint effect take place.

Keeping your hair clean

In order to keep your hair fresh and clean, and therefore healthy, it’s important to use a clarifying shampoo once in a while. These shampoos are specialized to help remove residual product, dandruff and dead skin from your scalp. Utilizing it will prevent blockages from forming in your follicles, which may inhibit hair growth. Depending on whether your hair type is oily, normal or dry, take into consideration what kind of shampoo will suit your hair before you use it.

Maintaining moisture

Deep conditioning should be part of your hair care in order to keep your hair healthy, maintain its elasticity, which prevents breakage. It is recommended to use it once a week in order to keep your hair nourished and to stimulate hair growth. However, you should bear in mind that using one that suits your hair is recommended. Apart from regular deep conditioners, masks and mudpacks that you can use on your hair are available in the market too – usually in hair salons.

Brushing your hair

Another important part of your hair care routine should include brushing it every night before bed, using a natural bristle brush. The positive effects of doing this will show as your hair appears shinier and healthier. It’s been scientifically backed that brushing stimulates blood flow to your scalp, thereby increasing your hair growth.

Diet and Nutrition

A good hair care regimen makes use of a healthy diet that nourishes your hair in all the right way. For healthy hair, include foods in your diet that provide your roots a good source of B-complex vitamins. According to research, knowing which vitamins your hair needs and making sure you consume them in the right amounts will encourage hair growth, as some of these nutrients are essential for forming the building blocks of your hair’s structure.

To make sure you are getting enough nutrients that promote hair growth, eat foods that contain these vitamins. Include plenty of lean meats, whole grains and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach in your diet. Make sure you are eating enough of these in order to reach the dietary requirements suitable for keeping your hair long and healthy!

Hair Loss Causes

We all lose hair every day. How much hair we lose varies from person to person, and when to be concerned about your hair loss really depends on what is normal for you. Generally, when bald spots start to appear, or when the hair seems to be shedding in clumps rather than a few strands, is when you may need to address the situation. Of course, there are the more common, genetic reasons we lose our hair. Take male pattern baldness, for example. This is something that will occur for many men across the world and something that is, generally, accepted as part of the ageing process in humans.

But what if rapid, or quantitative, hair loss occurs that cannot be put down to age or genetics? There are several other factors that need to be considered when seeking blame for the shedding of hair. Hormones, thyroid problems, infections, certain medications and diseases can all contribute to follicular malfunction.

In terms of hormones affecting hair loss, particularly in women, this can be to do with childbirth, either pre or post, as well as the menopause. In men, as they get older their hormonal composition changes which can affect many areas of their body, including their hair.

Thyroid disorders are perhaps the biggest hormone related cause of hair loss. Having both an over-active thyroid gland, and an under-active thyroid gland can lead to hair loss unless treated appropriately.

It is not just our hormones that affect how our bodies shed hair. In terms of nutrition, a lack of iron and/or zinc in your diet can contribute to a weakened follicular structure. Stress, both mentally and physically, is a factor that can also lead to hair loss. So anything from a hectic lifestyle or high pressure job, to a surgical procedure or loss of blood can cause you to lose your hair.

Some medications, such as beta-blockers and anti-depressants, can be linked to hair loss, which you may think is a sacrifice well worth taking in order to improve your health in other areas, but hair loss has been proven to affect us in number of highly negative ways.

Hair loss has been linked with lower self-esteem, body image and increased anxiety. So hair loss can affect us in many more ways than we may at first think. Although it does not affect us in a drastically physical way it can have a very negative effect on us mentally. In short, hair loss is something that most of us would like to avoid as it could mean losing more than just the hair on our heads itself, we could indeed end up with losing a sense of dignity and self-esteem. Fortunately, there are many options available for both blocking the causes of hair loss, as well as reversing the process once it has started.

Oils And Vinegar For Hair Growth

Although hair loss is considered a natural process that takes place as people age, studies indicate that it’s linked to hormonal changes and the irritation of hair follicles. For these reasons, there are alternative methods, consisting of the use of natural remedies, in order to stimulate hair growth. Many of these are fairly simple home remedies that make fighting hair loss an easy task doable in the comfort of your own home.

However, it’s important to know that while many people have supported the use of natural treatments to stimulate hair growth, these methods have not been approved by the FDA. Therefore, consulting with a doctor is recommended prior to seeking any kind of treatment.

Apple Cider Vinegar

According to sources, apple cider vinegar may used in one of two ways in order to increase hair growth; by consuming it orally, or applying it to the scalp.

To consume it, it is recommended that you dilute it by mixing one tablespoon of apple cider in a glass of water and drinking it four times a day.

A similar mixture is made by mixing four tablespoons of apple cider into two glasses of distilled water, or to be specific, 16 ounces to be used on your scalp. During your shower, apply the mixture onto your hair, gently massaging your scalp gently. After rinsing your hair, dry it as needed but do not use a hair dryer or any other method that would expose your hair to heat. It is suggested that this treatment should be followed daily or as required.

Olive Oil and Citrus Juice

The use of oils to nurture hair has been practiced for a long time in certain parts of the world. In order to nurture hair growth, the use of various kinds of oils on the scalp has been cited by many studies in order to combat hair loss. One recommendation is a mixture made of olive oil and citrus juice.

Mixing olive oil with lemon or lime juice in a ratio of four to one and gently massaging that mixture into your scalp for a few minutes before shampooing your hair (with a gentle shampoo) is the recommended course of action. It’s important to use natural and organic products such as virgin olive oil and fresh limes or lemon.

After shampooing, it’s important to let your hair dry naturally and to avoid using methods that expose your hair to heat. If any irritation occurs on the scalp, it is recommended to stop treatment immediately.

Flax Seed Oil and Vitamin E Oil

Using the oils that come from flax seed along with vitamin E oil is another effective treatment for hair loss. This home remedy should be mixed in a small container, using three tablespoons of flax seed oil for every two tablespoons of vitamin E.

In order to use this method, massage the mixture onto your scalp for several minutes prior to showering. When washing your hair, the use of a gentle shampoo along with a moisturizing conditioner is recommended following this treatment. The use of natural ingredients is crucial for the treatment to be effective, as certain products may cause irritations on the skin. This treatment may be repeated daily or as needed in order to stimulate hair growth.