Learn the easiest hair care tips you can follow for healthy and shiny hair

Who doesn’t want easy tips to maintain healthy hair? In today’s world, time is of the utmost importance and so are hassle free solutions to everyday problems, including those related to hair care.

Here are some easy and effective tips for healthy and attractive hair:

• 1. Healthy diet:

  

  Nutritional factors affect your hair directly [1]. Therefore, it is necessary for your hair to receive two major nutrients, proteins and vitamins, vital for its healthy growth [2].

  Foods that are good for healthy hair include:

  • Fish rich in proteins.
  • Spinach and carrots -- rich in Vitamin A.
  • Eggs -- help to provide biotin to prevent brittle hair.
  • Guavas, gooseberry and green vegetables – rich in Vitamin C.
  • Water – at least 2 litres a day.

• 2. Hair Cleansing

  

  Proper hair cleaning is the first and the most important prerequisite for beautiful hair. Hair cleansing is actually the process of cleaning the scalp of sebum, sweat components, desquamated stratum corneum, styling products and environmental dirt, and preventing the development of folliculitis and seborrheic dermatitis [3].

  You should shampoo your hair carefully. Select the shampoo most suited for the scalp and hair type. Shampoos with the least amount of chemicals and adequate moisturizing properties should be preferred. However, for an oily scalp, one should choose a dryer shampoo.

  It’s good to wash your hair every day if you have an oily scalp or if the environment is extremely hot. Else, washing hair 3-4 times a week is sufficient.

• 3. The Right Drying Procedure:

  With wet hair, heated styling appliances, such as straightening irons and hair-dryers cause chemical and structural damage to hair due to rapid evaporation [4].

  The human hair shaft is made up of cortex with a central axial medulla and an external cuticular layer. Heated styling appliances damage the surface, cuticular layers, and possibly the cell membrane complex of hair. Experts recommend the use of a hair dryer from a distance of 15 cm with continuous motion for lesser damage. [5]

• 4. Combing Wet Hair:

  

  Combing wet hair can cause increase in hair fall, as the pores are soft and the tugging from the comb causes the hair to come off the scalp. Hence, it’s best to let the hair lose all its moisture content and then brush or comb it gently. The hair is easily combed by dividing it into smaller groups of strands instead of combing it all together.

• 5. Avoid Hot Water:

  Avoid exposing your hair to hot water. Taking a direct shower under hot water makes the scalp and hair dry by removing the essential oils. Instead, it is better to use lukewarm water to rinse your hair.

• 6. Tying Your Hair Loose:

  Tying your hair too tight can cause the hair to pull at the scalp making it break. Those who keep their hair braided all the year round should tie it loose from the scalp. Else, the roots can get damaged preventing further hair growth.

  Apart from all this, it’s very important to keep yourself hydrated with sufficient water intake. Also, many people believe that grandma’s remedies like applying fruit pulp (like that of banana) or egg whites can help make your hair healthier with a nice and rich lustre.

References:

[1]. Nutritional factors and hair loss. - PubMed - NCBI . 2015. Nutritional factors and hair loss. - PubMed - NCBI . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12190640. [Accessed 01 October 2015].
[2]. Nutrition and hair: deficiencies and supplements. - PubMed - NCBI . 2015. Nutrition and hair: deficiencies and supplements. - PubMed - NCBI . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23159185. [Accessed 01 October 2015].
[3]. Essentials of Hair Care often Neglected: Hair Cleansing. 2015. Essentials of Hair Care often Neglected: Hair Cleansing. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002407/. [Accessed 01 October 2015].
[4]. The effects of water on heat-styling damage. - PubMed - NCBI . 2015. The effects of water on heat-styling damage. - PubMed - NCBI . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21443842. [Accessed 01 October 2015].
[5]. Hair Shaft Damage from Heat and Drying Time of Hair Dryer. 2015. Hair Shaft Damage from Heat and Drying Time of Hair Dryer. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3229938/. [Accessed 01 October 2015].