Care for your healthy hair

In today's world, fashion and stress have become a part of life and every second person is facing some hair problem or the other. As a result, hair and scalp problems such as dandruff, hairloss, premature greying and alopecia have also increased. So, how does it affect us? Hair and skin play a very important role in building one's self image, prestige and confidence levels. Also, no other part of the human body grows at the rate of half-an-inch a month, which is why your hair, apart from your crowning glory, is also your body's barometer, indicating good health or the lack of it.

Hair can be an early indicator of the following:

• Thyroid and parathyroid problems.
• Addison's disease.
• Anemia.
• Deficiency diseases.
• Cushing's syndrome.
• Hormonal imbalances.
• Ovarian cyst disease.
• Dietary deficiency.

Common causes of Hair loss:

• Lack of oiling.
• Thyroid problems.
• Acute illness
• Maltreatment of Hair.
• Anemia.
• Medication.
• Stress.
• Dandruff.
• Nutritional deficiency.
• Hormonal imbalance.

Oiling:

Hair oiling is very necessary as it is a very good hair and scalp nourisher. Oil your scalp every alternate day to stimulate blood flow and relieve stress. Sluggish blood flow and stress can both cause hair loss. Use hair oil to massage your hair ones a week, leave overnight and wash off the next day.

Hair Foods:

Our hair is primarily made up of proteins. Thus, a primary necessity for good-looking hair is adequate protein intake. Fats help in making the hair look lustrous, as linoleic acid stimulate the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, giving hair its shine. Vitamins, minerals and essential fatty and amino acids are necessary for harmonious cell balance. Vitamins E and C, and beta-carotene, specifically act as anti oxidants, protecting our hair from free radicals. They help our hair to withstand pollution, chemicals, cold, sun, stress and medication. If we have proper diet and drink adequate water, 89% of our hair problems are solved.

Hair Do's And Don'ts:

Do: Brush your hair gently. This helps distribute natural oils. Brush strokes should always move outward from the scalp.

Don't: Brush your hair one hundred strokes a day. Excessive brushing can tear the hair, pull it out and damage the cuticle layer causing split ends, especially in people with dry and colour-treated hair.

Do: Shampoo your hair. Shampoo is merely a cleansing agent and whether you use it in the form of soap or a liquid makes no difference, as long as it is suited to hair type. People with oily hair, in fact, should shampoo more frequently.

Don't: Wash your hair too often. It is advisable not to wash your hair more than thrice a week, unless you find it distinctly greasy or dirty. If you travel a lot or are a sport's person make sure you shampoo your hair daily.

Do: Make sure you have balanced diet, rich in proteins. Hair also requires minerals like iron, copper and zinc in the right proportions and deficiency of these will affect the condition of hair. More importantly if you do suspect that you are losing hair excessively, it would be advisable to pay a visit to a trichologist.

Don't: Try shaving your head or oiling it to stimulate hair growth. There is no evidence to suggest that shaving helps. This holds good even for body hair. Oiling performs the essential function of scalp conditioning. It will not stop hair from falling, nor will it accelerate the rate of hair re-growth.

Hair care tips:

• Eliminate or cut back on smoking, caffeine and carbonated sodas which weaken the body and block maximum hair growing potential.
• Avoid use of hot water, hot blow dryers or other hair care tools that may stress the hair.
• Have a weekly scalp massage and brush your hair regularly to stimulate the hair follicles.
• The first step to beautiful hair is cleanliness. You must wash your hair every alternate day or even daily with mild shampoo formulated for daily use, if necessary.
• Your shampoo and conditioner should be used separately.
• Henna has a very drying effect on you hair but is a good scalp conditioner.
• Cumin, turmeric and black pepper are some "hair-friendly" spices.
• Stress can be seriously damaging to long term health and colour of hair.
• Brahmi also helps balance the mind and nourish the hair and scalp.
• Massage your scalp with your fingers daily to stimulate circulation of nourishing agents to your scalp.
• Avoid extreme cold and heat exposures. Use head coverings in extreme weather to prevent sudden cooling/heating of scalp and hair.
• While drying your hair with towel, use the blotting technique instead of rubbing it vigorously.
• Use a wide toothcomb to avoid pulling of hair.
• Avoid applying hair creams, hair lotion, styling gels and sprays directly on scalp.
• Keep your hands out of your hair. Twirling your hair between your fingers weakens the hair.