Everyone wants to have glowing and lustrous hair. In fact, it is your hair that enhances your overall personality, and reflects your overall health. However to ensure you have healthy hair, you need to take good care of it from the beginning as without the right and continuous care, your hair can turn brittle with split-ends and also cause dandruff. Moreover, without the right care, you even experience lots of hair loss.

While studies have proven that 95% of hair loss cases are genetic, there are other factors that contribute to hair loss like diet, general health, overuse of hair dye, physical and emotional stress and vitamin and hormonal deficiencies.

Hair loss is not actually a life-threatening situation, but it can also imply some internal health problems. Moreover, the more hair you lose, the lower your level of self-confidence can reach. Though there is no permanent cure for hair loss, it’s possible to take some preventive measures for healthy and shiny hair. 

A healthy diet

It is important that you follow a healthy diet with all the essential minerals and vitamins to minimize hair loss. This means you have to include as much raw oats, green and leafy vegetables, raisins, eggs, whole grain cereals and dates to your daily diet.

Include as much proteins too as your hair is made up mainly of proteins. So follow a protein-rich diet of calves liver, wheat germ and brewer’s yeast, which also contain Vitamin B, an important hair nutrient.

Even the skins of potatoes, green and red peppers and cucumbers are rich in silica, required for maintaining the beauty and strength of your hair. Vitamin E also promotes hair growth while reducing hair fall. As thyroid dysfunction also leads to excessive hair fall, include as many vitamin A and iodine rich foods in your diet too.

Similarly, it’s better to avoid junk food like fried, sugary and fatty food as it’s not healthy for your hair. It’s better grilling, steaming and broiling your food instead.

Hair wash

Your hair wash routine basically depends on your hair type as those with oily hair should wash hair regularly while it’s enough for those with dry hair to wash it twice a week. However never use too cold or too hot water to wash hair and use your fingertips and not nails to cleanse or massage your hair. It’s better to brush before shampooing to avoid hair damage and hair loss.

Combing

When you comb your hair, it’s better to use a wide-tooth comb to first untangle your hair, and then comb downwards. It’s always better to use a wooden or tortoise shell comb instead of a rubber comb to comb your hair and avoid combing wet hair as wet hair easily breaks.

If you have dry hair, use gentle strokes to remove scalp flakes and product buildup and to stimulate your scalp and blood flow to follicles. It’s better to let your hair dry naturally and avoid using blow dryers. The heat of the blow dryer can damage your hair to make it look lifeless and coarse.

Protect your hair using conditioners

It is necessary to protect your hair from sudden environmental changes when you go to the beach or pool by using an effective conditioner. It helps protect your hair from the sun, chlorine and sea water. In addition to this, wear a protective hat or cap so that your hair does not get overexposed to the sun, salt and chlorinated water and pollution.

It is always better to use a mild shampoo, which is less expensive for washing your hair. Remember that you need the shampoo only for washing away oil and dirt, so nothing spectacular is required for this. While choosing conditioners, look for a good quality one to use after shampooing your hair. However make sure you don’t over-condition your hair.

Your sleeping pattern affects your hair

Make a habit of combing your hair gently before going to bed, and of removing all the bands and clips used during the day. If you are a restless person who also sleeps restlessly, you may end up breaking their hair while sleeping. In such cases, it’s better to use a satin pillowcase on your pillow as it lets your hair move smoothly while sleeping, and causes less breakage.

Reduce alcohol consumption

It’s better to avoid alcoholic drinks, and using alcohol on your hair as alcohol only makes your hair look dry and brittle, and prone to breakage. Similarly, avoid using hair products that contain alcohol. Even some harsh chemicals like permanent hair color and perms affect your hair health and growth, so avoid coloring your hair more than once in 2-4 months.

Hair style

Regarding your hair style, look for a style that reflects your style and taste while enhancing your personality. Be careful while using hair styling products as most of them are full of alcohol and harsh chemicals that can harm your hair.

If you want long hair, it’s better to get a trim every seven weeks to get rid of split ends. It’s better to avoid tight hairstyles that can stress your mane as too much of pulling and tugging of your hair can damage your hair and also slow down its growth.

It’s better to let your hair hang or flow naturally as it helps your hair grow better. So choose as loose and natural a hair style as possible and stick to braids and ponytails as it helps your hair grow faster.

Drink more water

Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day as it gives you healthy hair. In fact, the more water you drink, the better is the condition of your hair as staying hydrated is the secret to shiny and healthy hair.

Oil massage

Make it a point to massage your scalp every day for at least ten minutes using good herbal oil as it helps prevent hair fall and induces quick hair growth.

Follow these tips and you will find the secret to your crowning glory, and a mane of lustrous hair.

Feature Writer: Aarti Narang