There are various ways to get stronger and healthier hair. In this article, I will cover four methods that are easy to implement in your everyday life.
Natural Oil Massage
Natural oils including coconut oil, olive oil, and argan oil are great alternatives to leave-in hair serum. In fact, well-known hair care brands such as Garnier or Pantene are creating their own versions of hair serum products that contain natural oils. However, if you look at the ingredient labels closely, you will notice that those products usually contain less than 10% of natural oils in them. For me, I always go with natural essential oils for several reasons. First, natural oils are much cheaper and last much longer. For instance, you can get extra virgin coconut oil for less than $10 at any local grocery store. But the main reason I prefer essential oils as a leave-in hair treatment compared to products is the fact that it is 100% natural. Hair care products usually add chemical ingredients to increase shelf life, but with natural oils, I don’t have to worry about it. Natural oils remove dandruff and help prevent itchy scalp by providing moisture. Also when applied to all of your hair, they provide essential nutrition to the cuticles (the most outer layer of the hair shaft) and add shine and thickness. In order to get the most out of natural oil treatments, here are some useful guidelines:
- Shampoo your hair: Before you apply an essential oil (I prefer coconut oil), wash your hair first to remove any buildup such as hairspray/gel residue.
- Warm your oil: Coconut oil is a solid when it’s below 76 F. I usually take two table spoons from the jar to place it in a small container. Then, microwave it for 15 seconds to change it to a liquid. Some people use hot water instead to warm it up, but it’s a personal preference. If you are using other essential oils such as olive or argan oil, you can skip this step since those are always in a liquid form.
- Apply the oil to your hair: Start by applying the oil on your scalp from the top section to the neck area. Once applied, gently massage your scalp for 2 to 3 minutes to stimulate blood flow. Then, apply any leftover oil to all of your hair. Since the ends of your hair can often dry easily, start applying it from the tips to the root.
- Leave it in for 30+ minutes and rinse: People usually leave the oil on their hair about an hour or sometimes more. But since I am using a conditioning heat cap over my head for the faster oil absorption, 30 minutes works for me. Once done, rinse your hair.
There is no need to do a natural oil treatment every day. Once a week or two weeks is sufficient enough to add shine and moisturize your hair.
Protein Rich Foods
Hair shafts are primarily made of protein. In other words, our diet should include protein rich foods to keep hair follicles healthy. Some of the food items that are high in protein include white meat (chicken or turkey breasts), fish (salmon, tuna), dairy products (milk, yogurt) and eggs. According to WebMD.com, the daily protein requirement for women is 46 grams a day (56 grams for men).
Supplements
Biotin: Biotin is known as the ultimate hair vitamin. This dietary supplement is a part of the Vitamin B and plays an essential role in strengthening your hair and nails, as well as promoting faster growth. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, our body also requires biotin to increase cell metabolism and proper functioning of the nervous system.
Stress-LESS lifestyle
You can try the natural oil massage, take supplements, have a balanced diet, or any other methods to keep healthy hair. However, if you are under extreme stress, whether it is physical or emotional for a long period of time (usually more than 1-2 months), there is a greater chance that the health of your hair will deteriorate and lead to what is called Telogen Effluvium. Telogen Eflfuvium happens when hair follicles stop growing and enter a resting phase. As a result, the follicles in the rest stage fall out earlier than they should. Therefore, keeping your stress levels under control is an important step to maintaining healthier hair.
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hair loss treatment for women. The site covers various types of female hair loss including Androgenic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata.
