Bad hair day will take on a whole new meaning after you read this article. The shine and texture of your hair have more to do with your health than with genetics. A rich, balanced diet will make your hair healthier and stronger and on the contrary, sad and lifeless looking hair is a sign of poor health. The nutrients from your diet fortify the follicles in your hair resulting in an enviable mane.
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So, if you want picture perfect hair every day, check out the following tips that will help you beat the most common hair problems.
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Dry and frizzy
This means that your hair is lacking moisture as a result of a poor diet or chemical treatments. Basically the outer layer of the hair is broken, which prevents it from lying flat.
Solution: Make sure to eat salmon, sardines and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. These foods will repair your hair’s layers and eliminate the frizz. You should also cut the damaged hair and stay away from hot styling tools. Apply deep conditioner with vitamin E or make a homemade mask with one egg, half of an avocado and honey. Leave it on your hair for 30 minutes and rinse.
Brittle hair
If your hair breaks easily to the touch and can’t handle styling tools, it means it´s lacking protein. Healthy hair is ninety seven percent protein, and If your levels are low, your hair will be brittle.
Solution: Increase the protein and fiber intake from your diet. Also make a mask with one banana and jojoba oil. Mix it until the banana reaches a creamy consistency. Add a splash of honey and put the mask on your hair. Leave it on for thirty minutes and rinse.
Hair loss
If your hair falls out easily it could be a sign of many health issues, but the most common one is low biotin and vitamin B levels. Thinning could also be the result of a dry scalp.
Solution: Eat walnuts, they are rich in biotin, vitamin B and E. These vitamins help regenerate cells and strengthen the hair follicles. You can whip up a mask with coconut milk and aloe vera to counteract hair loss. Mix the ingredients until you reach a creamy consistency and massage it directly onto the scalp. Leave it on for 40 minutes and rinse. Repeat at least twice a week to see the difference.
Limp and lifeless
This isn´t about how much hair, but the lack of volume and body. This usually happens during the dry and cold winter months.
Solution: White vinegar can help separate each strand of hair and create volume. Put a little shampoo in a bottle and add a cup of white vinegar. Shake it well, apply to your hair and massage. Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse. Wash your hair with shampoo and skip the conditioner.
Gray strands
It doesn't matter whether you are in your twenties of fifties, aging hair has to do with genetics and metabolism. It happens when the cells that produce color in the hair stop doing their job. Early graying could be a sign of vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) deficiency.
Solution: Take vitamin B-12 supplements to slow down the graying process. You should also eat foods high in cobalamin such as shellfish, liver, soy and salmon. You can also get highlights to camouflage your grays. Resist the urge to pull them out!
Slow to grow
With age the growing phase (anagen) of hair slows down and that’s why it doesn't grow as fast as it used to. It could also mean that you are biotin and iron deficient.
Solution: Don’t use hot styling tools too often because they damage the hair cuticles, which prevents hair from growing. Invest in a hyper-moisturizing conditioner. Make sure to eat foods rich in biotin or take biotin supplements daily.
Greasy scalp
It’s not always a sign of dirty hair, it means that your body produces way too much sebum oil. If your hair is excessively oily you should contact your doctor because you might have a hormonal imbalance.
Solution: Use only shampoo when you are washing your hair. Never use conditioner! You can also wash your hair with apple cider vinegar to absorb the excess oil. Mix one cup of vinegar with two cups of water and leave it in your hair for a few minutes. Pay special attention to the scalp! Rinse and shampoo your hair a couple of times until the smell of the vinegar is gone. The odor will disappear completely from your hair when it dries.
