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Care for some shimmering tresses? Here are some tips to guide you. Read on to know more on diet, home care, special oils and some rejuvenating treatments for hair loss.
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Diet for healthy hair
THE HAIR requires nourishment to maintain its health. Hence, a wholesome diet is important. An unbalanced diet could lead to dryness, brittleness, dandruff and ultimately hair loss. So, include the following:
* Protein is necessary for strong healthy hair as hair is made up of keratin, which is a protein. So, include for non-vegetarians - lean meat, fish egg and for vegetarians - paneer, yoghurt, dals, peas, beans and nuts. Eat whole grain cereals instead of cereals like rava or maida.
* The B-complex vitamins are extremely important for hair. It has been seen that these vitamins not only help in maintaining the health and shine of the hair but also prevent hair fall. Therefore, your daily diet must contain adequate quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables eaten raw as this ensures the supply of vitamins, minerals and enzymes.
* Minerals that are essential for health are iron, zinc, magnesium, sulphur, potassium, phosphorous and iodine. A deficiency of iron is the cause for dull and brittle hair and if not corrected, can lead to hair fall. Sulphur and iodine play an important protective role. Sulphur is necessary for the proper functioning and utilisation of the B-vitamins and thus contributes to the strength of the hair. Iodine is necessary for the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland and iodine deficiency can lead to several hair problems.
— To make sure that you take plenty of minerals & vitamins,
* eat a green leafy vegetable or keerai daily.
* eat whole grain cereals like wheat, atta, ragi - at least once a day.
Wheat germ contains concentrated minerals. So, buy a bottle of wheat germ and sprinkle one teaspoon into your milk, porridge, upma, toast or anything you eat for breakfast.
* follow your grandmother's advice. Take 5-10 soaked almonds daily. These are high in minerals and vitamins.
* include a salad made with vegetables like carrot, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage everyday in your diet. Add sprouts to this salad. They contain a lot of vitamin - C and B. For low calorie dressings, use lemon juice.
* yoghurt (curd) is a wonder food as far as hair is concerned. So, take as much of yoghurt as you can.
Avoid overcooked, fried foods, confectionary items, aerated drinks, which provide empty calories and have no nutritional value.
Coffee, alcoholic drinks and cigarettes cause a depletion of vitamins.
Do's and Don'ts
— In case of baldness due to fungal, viral or bacterial infection, consult a dermatologist.
— Use a soft brush and well-spaced bristles - do not comb your hair when wet; detangle from bottom to the top.
— Sanitise your implements i.e. brushes, combs etc by washing them in `dettol' at least once a week.
— There is scientific evidence that the B-complex vitamins may play an important role in restoring the health of hair. So, add a B-complex capsule as a supplement. Take it after breakfast. You can also drink a glass of vegetable juice made with carrots, tomatoes, spinach and lettuce with juice from half a lemon.
— Take 2 tablets of yeast (brewers yeast) if you do not want to take the B-complex.
— Take iron tablets if you are anaemic.
— The most important aspect of any treatment is the correct diagnosis. It is advisable to seek professional help by consulting a tricologist or a hair therapist.
Homemade care for hair loss:
— Oils - use only natural oil, avoid perfumed oils
— The application of oil with a right massage helps to stimulate blood circulation to the hair follicles. Oils have their own benefits and properties - you can choose the one which is easily available. Always warm the oil and then apply with a piece of cotton by sectioning the hair.
— Olive oil - helps to restore the natural acid mantle of the scalp and keeps it healthy.
— Castor oil - restores the health of the hair that has suffered damage due to the use of chemical dyes, perm, lotions or over use of hair dryers.
— Pure coconut oil - is the most commonly used oil in our country. It improves the texture of hair and helps hair growth. A pinch of camphor added to coconut oil helps in preventing infections and lice infestation.
— Mustard oil contains sulphur, which protects the scalp from bacterial and fungal infection.
Make your own tonic oil
To a bottle of oil, add fenugreek (methi) seed, a pinch of camphor and red hibiscus leaves. Let is stand for 10-15 days and then use to massage your hair.
Hair rejuvenating treatment:
Powder 10 grams each of lime seeds and black pepper. Make a fine paste in plain water or ginger juice. Apply this paste on the head every night; leave it on for at least a couple of hours and then rinse it out. Massage your scalp with your finger-tips for five minutes while applying the paste.
Squeeze the milk from half a coconut, add the juice of half a lime and massage into scalp. Leave it on for 4-6 hours. Wash it with a mild shampoo or crushed hibiscus leaves mixed with a tablespoon of crushed fenugreek (methi) seed and make into a paste.
Finally the condition of hair depends not only on the state of health and mind, but on regular external and internal care or lack of it. Like skin, hair also responds to the right kind of care. Usually, in case of excess hair fall, to grow back the lost hair is partially successful; but, the hair that remains needs to be taken care of. It will help you set up a protective-care routine as protection is the best way of preventing problems like hair damage and hair loss. In fact, a proper routine would also help reverse the damage and nurse the hair back to health.
LILY MADHOK
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