Stimulating Hair Growth
Hair is actually a dead protein filament, each follicle located deep within the dermis. But still, long and lustrous hair captivates the mind of almost every woman. Besides this, long and beautiful hair is also regarded as a sign of health and vitality. The problems that frequently come in the way of having long and beautiful hair, are hair breakage, split ends, dandruff, excessive hair fall or hair thinning. Most of these problems are the result of unhealthy eating habits and the use of the wrong kinds of hair care products. Many times, it can also be caused by excessive use of hair styling products like, hair straighteners, perming, hair dye, etc. You have to follow a proper hair care regimen, that encompasses cleaning, moisturizing and scalp massaging, coupled with a balanced diet that includes the essential nutrients required for healthy hair.
Ways to Increase Hair Health
Proper cleaning is not only an important part of general hair care. If the scalp is not clean and the pores of the skin remain clogged with dirt, hair cannot grow rapidly. Cleaning can open up these pores of the scalp. Shampoos for cleaning hair should be selected carefully. Otherwise, harsh shampoos can make your hair dry and prone to breakage, and with hair breakage, the possibility of growing long hair seems quite difficult. So, use a mild shampoo, free from sodium laurel sulfate for cleaning your hair and follow with a good quality moisturizer. Some natural products that can moisturize the hair follicles are egg yolk, honey, milk and mayonnaise.
Scalp massaging is one of the simplest, yet effective methods to increase blood circulation. For massaging your scalp, you can use natural oils like, virgin coconut oil, almond oil and olive oil. These oils are rich in vitamin E and can promote the growth of healthy hair. Regular application of oil will add strength and vitality to hair. These oils are also known to have moisturizing and emollient properties. Massage your scalp with slightly warm coconut or olive oil and leave overnight. The next day, wash it off with a mild shampoo. You can also use some essential oils like lavender, rosemary, basil, lemon, chamomile, sage oil and tea tree oil for massaging your scalp. Some of these oils like, rosemary oil have astringent properties, while chamomile oil invigorates the capillaries that supply blood to the root of the hair. Similarly, the other essential oils can also stimulate the hair follicles, condition them and remove dandruff.
Vitamins and Minerals for Hair Growth
If not supplemented by a healthy and nutritious diet; rich in vitamins and minerals, hair care alone cannot ensure hair growth. The vitamins that are essential for healthy hair are vitamin A, C, E, B3, B5, B6, B12 and niacin. Vitamin A helps to maintain the natural oils of the scalp, while vitamin C is crucial for both healthy hair and skin. Similarly, vitamin E and B3 promotes hair growth by improving blood circulation in the scalp. On the other hand, a deficiency of vitamin B12, B5 and B6 are known to be a major factor for excessive hair loss.
Like vitamins, several minerals are also important for hair. Examples of such minerals include, calcium, magnesium, chromium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, potassium, silica and zinc. Eating a diet poor in these vitamins and minerals make the hair and skin dull and lifeless. Foods that are rich in such vital nutrients are fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, whole grains, beans, fish, eggs and meat. So, inculcating a habit of eating more fruits and vegetables and less of fast foods and snacks, or foods fried in excess oil, can prove beneficial for your hair and overall health.
One should keep it in mind that no one can get healthy and long hair overnight. This is simply not possible, no matter how much you try. Again, people facing the problem of hair loss or bald patches have benefited from laser hair therapy. Many shampoos are also available that claim to promote growth of hair. But, while using any kind of product on your hair, make sure that they are free of harsh or harmful chemicals. Lastly, remember that hair reflects the condition of your health. So, stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, doing exercises and drinking a plenty of water to get long and lustrous hair.
