Tips for Healthy Hair
Make wise food choices throughout this winter. Let’s not allow the warm bulky clothes of winter loll us into eating whatever we want. Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables are still important in providing nutrients such as: carrots, potatoes, parsnips, citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, clementines and tangerines. Most of these foods are available all year.
Make sure to eat high protein foods such as legumes and beans. An added bonus is that protein helps in cutting down the appetite and also builds muscle. Some other sources would be: fish, lean pork and poultry and nuts.
Lower the intake of fats, sugar and caffeine, which aren’t very good for you anyway. This means limiting things like candies, coke, coffee, tea, fried foods, potato chips, etc. With a little research, you can find lots of healthful alternatives such as decaffeinated beverages. And healthful snacks like celery, raisins and carrots. Drink lots of water to help stay hydrated and to moisturize the hair and skin.(remember a healthy scalp is important).
Take a good vitamin supplement that includes vitamin B, C and E. Beta carotene, magnesium and collagen are also important. To help boost your healthful routine, if you are a smoker try to make an effort to stop smoking.
If you have been following a healthy diet, getting lots of rest and exercise then you are on the way. Just be sure to be aware of some pointers so that you don’t reverse all the good that you’ve started.
Minimize the use of hot curlers, straightening combs, curling irons, crimping irons and flat irons. The damage they do is horrendous: split ends and breakage, just to name two. Also, limit the use of chemicals in your hair. These are very drying, as the ph of the hair is altered. The hair is rendered weaker and extremely susceptible to breakage particularly when wearing winter hats. Good practice is to protect the head with a scarf or stocking cap first to eliminate the possibility of breakage.
Use hot oil treatments to help seal in moisture. Natural oils are always best; almond oil, olive oil are two just to name a few. They strengthen the hair with antioxidants as well as vitamins. Be careful with shampoos that have sodium laurate as these can be drying to the hair.
Finally, massage your scalp at least 30 seconds daily to stimulate the circulation which will aid blood and nutrient supply to the scalp. By following these practical tips, your hair should survive the harsh winter cold.
