Walking into the local gym with a fantastically fit body framed by shiny thick and long luscious locks is in everyones dreams. However, sometimes yo-yo dieting can lead to brittle, thinning hair. For amazingly simple tips to grow healthy happy hair, read on…
There are many reasons why our hair starts to thin with age, however, some of those reasons can be prevented, and even reversed. It takes a little bit of knowledge, and a lot of consistency but thin, brittle, washed out hair can transform into long luscious locks in weeks. With a few years of dedication you may be able to completely re-grow your hair and self esteem.
What is hair?
The most straightforward explanation, hair is a long chain of proteins that are bundled together and grow out of our skin in many places around the body. Hair grows in many different ways (curly, straight, wavy) and colors which are mostly determined by genetics. Thickness and color of hair is a factor that may change over time depending upon environmental influences, such as diet and age – but can also be determined by genetics.
The main reasons humans have hair is for insulation and cooling purposes, although clothes are still required to keep warm and protect from ultraviolet radiation.
Hair and Social Status
Having ‘healthy hair’ has been seen as the symbol of youth and vitality for thousands of years, spanning across almost, if not every culture. As humans evolved, utilizing hair styles was one of the many ways to distinguish class and cultural status. Most recently, haircutting and styling has become available to almost every household in the first world countries.
However, no matter how much hair dye or how many bobby pins are used, if a person’s hair is lacking in life, dry or frizzy, not much can be done immediately to restore the youthful gleam of healthy hair.
Below are some great tips to restore dry, damaged, dry, brittle hair, or preserve already long and luscious locks.
Avoid Washing Every Day
Thanks to commercial products, clever marketing skills and product branding, it is thought to be healthy to wash your hair every day. However, the truth in the matter, washing your hair every day can actually lead to greater hair loss and dull/weak colors. There is a group of healthy hair conscious people who practice the “No Poo” method, which is a funny term simply meaning “No Shampoo”. They avoid all conventional shampoos and stick to the basics such as water and sometimes baking soda, apple cider vinegar (ACV for short) or simple glycerin based soaps like Dr. Bronners. These persons swear that after a few months of practicing the “No Poo” method, they experienced longer, thicker and overall healthier hair.
Not everybody is ready and willing to jump onto the “No Poo” wagon. However, skipping a few hair washes can also prove very effective in revitalizing what was once thought to be ‘dead hair’. It is common on most hair styling blogs to encourage ‘2-5 days between washes for best ‘hair styling’ results. It certainly is worth a try, literally! Think of how much money on shampoo/conditioners you could save if you only washed your hair a few times a week.
Heat or No Heat?
Another great way to preserve the life in your hair is to limit heat exposure to the follicles. High heat can cause hair stems to become weak and break completely, or fray to form split ends. Aside from hair straighteners, there are a million different ways to achieve curls, waves and updo’s without the use of heated gadgets. Firstly, letting your hair air dry is one of the best ways to avoid dry, brittle, frizzy hair. Although, chemically dyed hair doesn’t always look the best when air drying, incorporating a heatless style method such as Sock Curls, Pin Curls, Headband Curls can help save time, and encourage healthy heatless hair, not to mention fantastic and quick hairstyles.
Eat Your Fruits & Veggies
The best way to improve the look and feel of your hair is to eat a healthy diet and drink more water. Incorporating greater amounts of fruits and veggies will not only benefit your overall health, but can also keep your hair healthy, happy and shiny. Fruits and veggies are high in a variety micronutrients/vitamins that support hair growth. Along with eating a variety of foods grown from the land, it would be a great idea to incorporate a multi-vitamin and extra water into your diet as well. With fast food chains available like never before, it is hard to estimate vitamin/mineral deficiencies, not to mention dehydration. Get into the habit of carrying healthy snacks and extra water everywhere you go. Your hair will be ever so grateful for the chance to shine.
Also, stop the yo-yo diets and practice a sustainable lifestyle of real foods. The more consistent you are with eating calories, the less your weight will fluctuate, and the better chance you have at growing thicker, healthier hair.
Stress Management
If you are experiencing premature greying of hair, or excess hair loss, it may be time to assess the stress factors in your life. If there is anything you can eliminate, like a stressful job, now would be the time. Otherwise it would be a good idea to incorporate stress reducing practices such as yoga, meditation, art, dance, into your daily activities. The body does not function well under stress, so involve yourself in activities that you love and watch your hair become happy again.
Chemicals Are Everywhere!?!
One of the easiest ways to improve the look and feel of your hair is by installing a shower filter. Not only will it improve the look of your hair, but your skin will also benefit from bathing in filtered water.
Reduce the amount of products used on your hair will also improve the longevity of each strand. Even limiting unnecessary prescription medication can dramatically improve the overall look of many peoples hair.
Eating Organic foods is also a great way to reduce the chemical exposure to our hair follicles. There are many benefits to eating organic, and healthy hair is just a bonus factor.
Grey Hair Blues
There are some things you can do to improve your hair, and some things you can’t do, like reduce grey hairs. Getting older is just a fact of life. The sooner you become at peace with aging, the easier it will be to love the hair you got. You’re sexy and you know it – grey or no grey!
Hair Tests for Toxicity Levels
If you would like to know greater details about what is in your hair and body, you may want to research ‘Hair Tests’ and discover your own toxicity levels. Your family doctor can also direct you as to how to obtain a ‘toxicity level test’. It seems rather scary to think of our bodies as toxic, but it’s better to be in the know so that you can take action and make healthy changes in your life.
Becoming aware, and taking control of all the issues that may cause frail, brittle or damaged hair will not only help you achieve longer, luscious locks, but it can improve your skin, nails, bones and organs in more ways than one. The body is a complete system, and although youthful hair is highly sought after, why not strive for an overall youthful glow – at any age? You and your hair deserve a healthy body.
Kaeli has always had an infatuation with keeping fit and improving life. Whether it is strength training, endurance building, or self-study research, she has devoted endless hours to them all. Her interest in health started at an early age. From swim competitions to long distance running, she discovered that keeping fit is an integral part of her life. After being diagnosed with... Read More
Kissimmee
I’d advise against the no wash method for anybody whom consume meats or any other animal products who has Jobs or work around other people(professionals)as the excretions that come out of such a person’s skin is a foul staunch toxic sludge and smelly. Repulsive to say the least.
Comment Made all in truthfulness. Trueth is Love.