All of us dream of having silky, lustrous and thick locks of hair falling down our shoulders. But many of us have hair problems and are constantly looking to get rid of this problem. Hair grows on the scalp which is anatomical area bordered by the face and the neck. Scalp has five layers. Your hair grows on the scalp and is sort of embedded in the scalp. SCALP is made of five words which are S (Skin), C (Connective Tissue), A (Aponeurosis), L (Loose Arerolar Connective Tissue), P (Perisoteum). Blood supply to scalp is via five arteries. So it is essential to keep your scalp clean and healthy, in addition to paying attention to your hair. Take advice of your doctor before starting on vitamins and supplements.
When is Hair Termed as Healthy?
Your hair is healthy if it is
Bouncy
Shiny
Manageable
Not easily broken and
If every follicle has hair strands.
Does not have split ends
Scalp is dandruff free
Healthy and Lustrous Hair for You
Healthy Diet for Healthy Hair
The basic nourishment for the hair comes from blood and blood can provide nourishment to hair depending on what you eat. Nothing can replace balanced diet with right mix of proteins, nutrients, iron to enhance the bounce, feel and well being of your hair.
Nutrients for Healthy Hair Growth
Let’s look at some of the nutrients your hair requires and the foods you can derive those nutrients from.
PROTEINS
Hair is composed of proteins, which means, you need good quantity of proteins to enable growth of your hair.
Sources of Proteins include
Milk
Cheese
Yogurt
Eggs
Meat
Green peas
Quinoa
Nuts
Beans
Chickpeas
Green leafy vegetables
Sunflower and poppy seeds
Nutrients and Iron for Healthy Hair
Vitamin E, Iron and minerals including magnesium, copper and selenium are extremely important to maintain hair in good shape. Lack of iron in your diet can lead to loss of noticeable amounts of hair.
Sources of Iron include
Chicken
Beef
Beans
Apricots
Pumpkin
Sesame seeds
Spinach
Green Pepper
Pasta
Broccoli
Tofu
Vitamin D
Sun is one of the best sources of Vitamin D. Studies are still being conducted to understand the importance of Vitamin D in the hair cycle. However, doctors do not recommend sun exposure for a long time. Other sources of Vitamin D for Healthy Hair
Milk
Orange Juice
Cereals
Tuna fish
Egg yolks
Beef liver
Cord liver oil
Fortified cereals
MUSHROOMS
Pork
Pumpkin seeds
Oysters
Reasons for Hair Loss
Hair loss in most cases is not a serious issue. If addressed on time, you can very soon regain the health and thickness of your hair. In order to curb hair fall it is important to understand the root cause of it. Here are some of the basic reasons that can help you put the clock back.
Stress
Malnutrition
Unhealthy lifestyle
Lack of hygiene
Heat treating the hair frequently
Unnecessary use of chemicals
Genetics
Hormonal disturbances
Ageing
Frequent change of oils and shampoos
Now you decide, what is you reason for hair loss and work towards a healthy hair. Remember, Rome was not built in a day. You need to have patience.
Wonders of Scalp Massage
The growth and health of hair completely depends on the nourishment it gets. There is no other go for shiny, bouncy and smooth hair. Let’s look deep into the subject of scalp message one by one.
Scalp Massage for Healthy Hair
Scalp Massage
Stress is the main reason that is responsible for hair loss in most of the population. The busy life style today has left nothing but stress leading to improper functioning of not just hair follicles, but several other organs of the body. Scalp massage is an effective way of pulling down the levels of stress, thereby boosting the ability of hair follicles to grow without using any harmful chemicals. Benefits of Scalp Massage are;
Restrain the stress levels
Lubricates the scalp
Augment blood circulation of head and neck
Helps you get rid of dry scalp and flakes
Helps whole body to relax
Brace up current hair and makes way for the growth of new hair from the root.
It conditions the hair, making it more manageable and soft.
With time, scalp massage can improve the resiliency power of hair.
Improves quality of sleep.
Reduce the chances of hair becoming split, brittle and broken.
Best to treat alopecia areata.
The acupoints that are found on the scalp can help in relaxation of brain and decrease the onset of headaches.
Raise the production levels of endorphins and serotonin, the body’s natural agents to lift up the mood.
Beneficial to control migraine pain and headaches caused by tension.
Types of Scalp Massage
Effleuruge Massage
The hair lines are massaged gently with pads of the thumb or with both the hands.
More concentration is levied on the blood vessels on the scalp.
This massage has soothing and calming effect on the central nervous system.
Petrissuge Massage
Petrissuge Massage involves several pinching and circular movements along with light to heavy kneading strokes to augment the blood supply to the blood vessels of the scalp.
This massage is a rigorous technique but extremely rejuvenating.
Vibration Massage
Vibration massage is also a vigorous kind of massage. Using palms and finger, rapid movements are done on the scalp. The method is similar to the one used during face massage.
This massage stimulates nerves and brings down the stress level to a great extent.
Vibration massage is used to treat baldness and several other ailments related to scalp.
Hacking Massage
The skin of the scalp is stroked with the sides of the hands. Hacking massage greatly improves the circulation of blood in the scalp.
This massage is not recommended to people suffering from high blood pressure.
Importance of Oil in Scalp Massage
Use of oil is very important during scalp massage. Irrespective of the type of massage you choose, use of oil is mandatory. When scalp is massaged with oil, it provides sustenance to the roots and also makes the course of massage easier and restful.
Types of Oils Used for Hair Massage
Coconut oil
Almond oil
Aloe oil
Olive oil
Basil oil
Chamomile oil
Cedarwood oil
Clary sage oil
Lavender oil
Eucalyptus oil
Lemon/ Lemon grass oil
Patchouli oil
Myrrh oil
Peppermint oil
Rosemary oil
Sage oil
Tea tree oil
Thyme oil
Ylang Ylang oil
Different oils are use for different types of hair. The texture, problem and type of the hair decide the type of oil that should be used.
Castor Oil and Its Uses for Healthy Hair Growth
Castor oil is a magical ingredient that several women and men have well experimented with and each one of them agree to the fact that castor oil can do wonders both for skin and hair. It is an age old beauty enhancing agent that has the ability to replace expensive beauty products.
Castor Oil for Healthy Hair Growth
Advantages of Castor Oil for Hair Growth
Castor oil has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties
It is rich in protein, minerals, Vitamin E and omega 9 and 6 fatty acids.
It can protect the scalp from the adverse effects of dandruff, folliculitus and scalp infections.
Improved blood circulation and enhances the growth of hair.
Minimize the effects of chemical hair products.
Replenish the production of natural oils of scalp.
Keratin present in the hair is fully nourished making hair strong, smooth and manageable.
Boosts the rate of hair growth, making it longer and thicker.
Helps you get rid of split ends.
Castor oil can help you regain the lost texture and shine of your hair.
Best Castor Oil Combination
Castor Oil – 3 Table Spoons
Pure Coconut Oil – 1 Table Spoon
Jajoba Oil – 1 Table Spoon
Mix the above said ingredients well and massage your scalp. Repeat this at least once in a week for better results.
Beer for Lustrous Hair
Yes, Beer should be kept not only in your bar, but also in your bathroom. Beer is safe to use and free from side effects. Silica is very important aspect for hair growth and according to researchers; beer has silica in it which can add volume to your hair along with length.
Beer for Lustrous Hair
Elements in Beer Which are Good for Hair Growth
Silica
Iron
Phosphorous
Vitamin B
Magnesium
Copper
How to Use Beer for Hair Therapy
There is no specific way you can use beer but you can choose any of the below mentioned methods.
Beer Shampoo
Beer shampoo is available in the market these days which also has striking effects on your hair.
Beer Mask
Whenever you are planning to prepare a mask for your hair, add little beer in the mix and go ahead with your same procedure. Best beer mask would be egg-beer mask.
Simple Conditioner
After you wash your hair with mild shampoo, rinse your scalp with beer instead of using a conditioner. Tie a towel to your hair and leave it for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair with plain water in order to get rid of the smell.
Direct Consumption
Direct consumption of beer is equally good for your hair and skin. But do not over do this as it might affect other parts of your body negatively. We do not recommend this!!
Egg Mask for Healthy Hair
If your hair is dull and damaged, then there is nothing better than egg mask. Regardless of your hair type, egg mask is a wonderful natural conditioner. Pollution, excessive washing and shampooing, heat treating of hair often leaves the hair strands weak and brittle. But you can quickly restore the lost lustre and shine with simple and inexpensive natural hair mask ie egg mask.
Use Egg Mask for Healthy Hair
Advantages for Egg Mask for Healthy Hair
Suits all types of hair
Rich in fat and protein content
The best moisturizing agent
Egg has bacteria eating enzymes that can cleanse the scalp and hair
Ingredients & Preparation of Egg Mask for Healthy Hair
Ingredients of Egg Mask
Use only Egg White for Oily Hair. Otherwise you can use complete Egg, Lemon and Castor Oil
How to Make Egg Mask
Mix all the ingredients and beat it really well.
Apply it to your scalp and leave it for 20 minutes.
Rinse your hair with gentle shampoo and let it air dry.
If you have used complete egg, you need to use extra shampoo to get rid of the smell.
Repeat this once a week to treat your hair with natural proteins.
Use of Herbs for Good Hair Care
Hair is not just a part of your body. It is the symbol of beauty. For the same reason, a lot of people spend their hard earned money in buying expensive products and treatments. What a lot of us have forgotten is the effective use of herbs to treat the quality and quantity of hair. Unlike the harsh chemicals and drugs that are being used today to stimulate hair growth, herbal products are very much healthier, safer and cheaper. Mentioned below are benefits of 2 wonderful herbs that have proven records of doing marvelous job.
Use of Herbs For Healthy Hair
Following Herbs Help Hair Growth and Healthy Hair
Amla
To get your long locks back, Amla, also knows an Indian Gooseberry is an amazing herb. This can rejuvenate your hair without spending much of your hard earned money.
Benefits:
Fast hair growth.
Controls hair fall.
Massage your scalp with Amla to improve blood circulation along with removing unwanted flakes off your scalp.
It is rich in Vitamin C, the hero of hair growth.
It is also rich in anti-oxidants which prevent premature greying of hair.
Prevents split ends.
How to use it?
Direct Amla Juice:
Squeeze juice out of fresh Amla and directly apply it to your scalp. Massage gently with your finger tips and leave it for an hour before you rinse your hair with mild shampoo.
Amla Hair Wash:
With Fresh Amla: Cut some fresh amla into small pieces and put them into boiling water. Leave the amla in water for half an hour and drain the water. Wash your hair with the substance of Amla to enjoy the advantages of using Amla.
Dry Amla: If you have dry Amla, soak it in water for the whole night. Drain the water, the next morning and follow the same procedure.
Amla Lemon Mix:
Squeeze juice of Lemon and Amla in a bowl and mix it. Now apply this mix to your scalp. Leave it for 30 minutes before you wash your hair. Fresh juice yields better results than the stored ones.
Amla Almond Oil:
Squeeze fresh Amla juice in a bowl and add Almond oil into it. Mix the ingredients well and heat the mixture slightly before you massage your scalp with this mix. For better results, massage your scalp well and was your hair with mild shampoo.
You can also use coconut oil instead of Almond oil.
Curry Leaves
Curry Leaves play a vital role in most of the Indian cuisines. But did you know they can add beauty to your hair too? Curry leaves are easily found and extremely inexpensive herb. They have many important nutrients that improve the strength of your hair follicles.
Benefits:
Restores hair follicles, thus improving the thickness of your hair.
Repairs damaged hair roots.
Speed up the process of hair growth.
The protein and beta-carotene content present in curry leaves minimizes hair loss and promotes hair growth.
Moisturize the scalp.
Removes dead cells from the scalp.
Prevents dandruff.
How to use it?
Curry Leaves Paste:
Make fine paste of curry leaves, add yogurt in the paste and gently massage your hair with this mask. Leave this mixture on your scalp for half an hour and rinse it with a mild shampoo. For better results, apply this mask once in a week. You will see the results with in no time.
Curry Leaves Coconut Oil:
Both coconut oil and curry leaves are very good for hair. Take coconut oil in a bowl and heat it after adding a bunch of curry leaves into the oil. Keep heating till you find a black residue. Cool this down and apply this oil to your scalp. Wash your hair with mild shampoo after an hour. You can also oil your hair and leave it over night.
Curry Leaves Tea:
Now, this is a method which most of us is not aware of. Yes, you read it right. You can make tea from curry leaves that can pamper your hair really well. Boil water and add curry leaves. Let it boil till the colour of the water changes. Turn off the head and add some lemon juice and sugar to this mix. Drink Curry Leaves tea continuously for one week to observe you hair turn shiny, smooth, long and healthy. This will also help in preventing grey hair.
Some of the safest herbal hair care products are
Khadi Shikakai Hair Oil
Khadi Tulasi Oil
Lotus Kera Veda Hennapurna shampoo with conditioner
Use of Aloe Vera for Healthy Hair
Aloe Vera is the herb that can be grown anywhere. It is the oldest and very well known herb that can promote shine and strength to both skin and hair.
Aloe Vera for Healthy Hair
Amazing Benefits of Aloe Vera
Boost growth of hair
The active enzymes in Aloe Vera erase dead cells and directly stimulate hair follicles
Cures Seborrhea (Partial Baldness)
Helps hair retain moisture and water
Controls dandruff
Eradicates the problem of itching of scalp
Enhances strength and thickness of hair
Heals Psoriasis
Balances the pH level of the scalp
It treats any kind of boils and wounds on the scalp
Aloe Vera Spray
Collect some Aloe Vera Leaves from your terrace plant to make a hair spray of aloe vera, for the aloe vera products available in the market have chemicals and preservatives in them. If you have curly or wavy hair, then Aloe Vera gel can treat you with wonders.
Ingredients for Aloe Vera Spray
Aloe Vera Gel – 120 ml
Water – 120 ml
Oil of your choice – As per the requirement
Procedure
Take Aloe Vera in a bowl and blend it with water.
Pour this mix in a spray bottle and shake it well.
Once this mix is ready, pour in the oil and shake it again.
Spray it on your hair whenever you find it unmanageable.
Use of Aloe Vera Spray
Aloe Vera gel acts as a barrier between your hair and environmental pollution.
Instead of using hair sprays while styling, you can spray this gel and leave it for conditioning. Use this spray anytime and anywhere. Carry it with you in your bag to keep your hair under control.
This gel accentuate the natural curls your have and make you look glamorous like never before.
Yoga for Healthy Hair
Yoga is not just limited to the health of the body.Regular yoga practice can heal the mental stress and rejuvenates the body from the inside. Yoga maintains a balanced relationship between mind and soul. Yoga is designed in such a way that it can target and improve functionality of any organ of the body. The growth and strength of your hair also can be improved with simple aasanas of yoga which you can do in a limited space at the comfort of your house. Here is the list of aasanas that leaves you admiring your own hair.
List of Yoga Aasanas for Healthy Hair
VAJRASANA
Vajrasana is also known as Diamond pose. This is the basic asana of yoga.
Vajrasana for Healthy Hair
Benefits of Vajrasana
Promotes digestion and blood supply to the upper part of the body.
Indigestion and hair fall are closely related. Thus, these waves off half of the problems related to hair fall.
Relaxes mind and soul, thereby bringing down the stress levels.
Practice this amazing aasana for 3 months and look at the results yourself.
How to do Vajrasana
Rest on your knees by placing your buttocks on the heels.
Place your hands on your thighs with palms facing downwards.
Make sure you keep your back straight.
Breathe in and out deeply as per your comfort.
Perform this activity for 3 months for better results.
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Adho mukha svanasana is a pose for an intermediate learner that is believed to bring good health to both mind and soul. This pose is also termed as Downward Dog Pose.
Aadho Mukha Svanasana for Healthy Hair
Benefits of Adho Mukha Svanasana
Promotes supply of oxygen to brain which is a super push for hair growth.
Improves level of concentration, eyesight and hearing ability.
Greatly nourishes hair follicles.
Can reverse baldness and greying of hair.
How to Do Adho Mukha Svanasana
Stand straight on the ground. It is better if you have a mat.
Keep both your hands on your thighs with your palms facing thighs.
Bend downwards slowly by keeping your hands on the ground with your palms on the ground.
Deeply inhale and tuck your tummy in.
Try to hold this position for a minute and come back breathing out.
Sarvangasana
Do you suffer from either of these – serious hair loss, thyroid, parathyroid and any kind of ailments related to pituitary gland. Then try Sarvangasana.
Sarvangasan for Good Hair
Benefits of Sarvangasana
Improves supply of oxygen and blood.
Improves performance of endocrine glands.
Reduces stress levels and balances emotions.
Toxins present in the respiratory system of the body are drained out.
Due to flow of fresh blood into the head, all the problems related to hair fall are minimized.
This aasana of yoga is a mood enhancer.
How to Do Sarvangasana
Lie straight on your back.
Lift both your legs in 90 degrees from the floor, with your back lying straight.
Now exhale and lift your hips and waist from the floor.
Slowly take your legs backwards over your head.
While inhaling, raise your legs and back into an absolute straight position. You can place your hands on the upper back for support.
Lock your chin by resting your chin against your chest.
With normal breathing, fix your eyes on your toes and maintain the asana.
Ustrasana
Ustrasana is a back bending yoga posture for intermediate level practice. This aasana is also known as heart chakra or camel pose. This posture of yoga has the ability to strengthen your body and add flexibility to the muscles.
Ustrasana for Hair Growth
Benefits of Ustrasana
Ustrasana stiffens your body.
Strengthens your back muscles.
Improves blood circulation in heart and head.
Proper flow of blood into the head boosts nourishment of hair follicles.
Decreases greying of hair.
Strengthens hair strands.
Enables speed of hair growth which is an amazing factor for people who love to have long hair.
Improves the shine of hair strands.
How to Do Ustrasana
Kneel down on the floor. Make sure your knees, thighs and hips are exactly perpendicular to the ground.
Place your hands on your buttocks with fingers pointing the ground.
Try to push your chest upwards and bend your body backwards.
Slowly place your hands on the ground with palms facing the floor.
You can rest the front/upper side of your feet on the ground which helps you balance the body on your feet and palms.
Balance this position for a while with normal breathing.
Easy Tips to Check Hair Loss
Last but not the least, whatever you do, hair loss cannot be controlled if you do not follow these simple tips.
Wash your hair with mild shampoo at least once in a week.
Use hair products only after thoroughly understanding the ingredients they contain.
Do not over use hair products. Too much is too bad.
Try natural conditioners if possible. Otherwise use synthetic conditioner once in a week.
Comb your hair very gently and don’t do it very frequently.
Let your hair dry naturally.
Don’t comb hair while it is wet.
Do not wash your hair with hot water.
Don’t use styling products frequently.
Apply oil to strengthen your hair from roots.
Go to Following Link to Read About Types of Hair
http://www.stylesamba.com/all-about-healthy-hair-and-scalp/
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