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Perfect Skin from Inside Out Module 19

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Module 19: SLEEK, SEXY, FABULOUS HAIR

Table of Contents

Module 19: SLEEK, SEXY, FABULOUS HAIR ....................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 2

In this module you will learn: ....................................................................................................................... 2

19.1 What is Hair? ...................................................................................................................................... 3

19.2. Hair Types ......................................................................................................................................... 7

19.3 How to Maintain your Healthy Hair and Scalp ..................................................................................... 9

19.4 Keeping your Hair Healthy and Shiny ............................................................................................... 13

19.5. Best Hair Care for Different Hair Types ............................................................................................ 17

19.6. Food and Nutrients for Lustrous Hair and a Healthy Scalp ............................................................... 21

19.7 What to stop doing now if you want to keep your Hair Healthy .......................................................... 23

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Introduction

Everyone wants beautiful sleek looking hair, it is only natural. To really understand how to care for your hair

properly, you will need to learn about different hair types and what makes up hair. Just like with your skin,

every person has different hair, which of course requires different care.

In this module you will learn:

19.1 What is Hair?

19.2 Hair Types

19.3 How to Maintain your Healthy Hair and Scalp

19.4 Keeping your Hair Shiny and Healthy

19.5 Best Hair Care for Different Hair Types

19.6 Food and Nutrients for Lustrous Hair and a Healthy Scalp

19.7 What to stop doing now if you want to keep your Hair Healthy

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19.1 What is Hair?

The hair on your body is made up of hundreds of thousands of dead cells. Our heads have many follicles,

which are pore-like structures that are located on the scalp – this is where hair is produced. Throughout our

lives, every one of our hair follicles produces numerous hairs.

Inside the hair follicle, the live hair cells are generated by the papilla. As these new hair cells grow, the older

ones slowly die and are pushed upwards through the follicle towards the surface of the scalp. As they move

further up, the dead cells are compressed and slowly form a special kind of protein called keratin. Our finger

nails are also made out of keratin.

Each piece of hair is made up of some keratin, a small amount of water, and a special binding agent that acts

like glue holding the keratin and water together.

The Hair’s Structure

Like your skin, the hair is made up of a number of different layers.

1. Cuticle

The outer layer of the hair, which is like a protective coating, is made up of overlapping scales which can be

a few layers thick. It is the scales that are responsible for making your hair flexible. The outer coating of the

hair is translucent, which allows the hair’s colour to be seen from the cortex. It is possible to help these scales

open up, which allows chemicals such as dyes and other substances like shampoos and conditioners penetrate

the hair.

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2. Cortex

The majority of the hair’s bulk is made up of long pieces of fibre which have been twisted together to form

something like a rope – this is called the cortex. The centre of the cortex is made up of three spiral chains that

allow the hair to stretch and be styled in different ways.

It is the cortex that determines your hair colour and there are two main pigments:

Melanin gives a person brown or black hair.

Pheomelanin gives a person yellow or red hair.

3. Medulla

The medulla makes up the centre of the hair’s shaft. There are three different types of human hair, which are

aptly named:

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary

Primary

This kind of hair is very fine. It helps people control the body’s temperature by assisting with evaporation and

perspiration. This kind of hair can grow everywhere on our bodies other than the palms of the hands, soles of

the feet, lips, and eyelids.

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Primary hair:

Has no medulla

Often has no pigment, which is why your body hair can be difficult to see sometimes

Is rarely longer than half an inch

Secondary

Your secondary hair layer is shorter, bristly and quite coarse. Examples of your secondary hair are your

eyelashes and eyebrows. It can also be found in the open spaces of your ears and nose. Secondary hair is

sensitive to a person’s touch. One of the main functions of the eyebrows is to protect your eyes from any kind

of substance such as sweat, oil, and water that might run down the scalp.

Secondary hair:

Grows directly out of your skin

Has a large medulla

Can be curved like your eyelashes

Is usually half an inch to an inch long

Increases in its density as a person gets older

Tertiary

Tertiary hair is your longer hair that grows on your scalp. It also appears under the arms, in the pubic region,

and on the face in adults.

In the beginning of time, tertiary hair was most likely an insulator that helped keep the body warm, however,

now it does not have any special kind of function.

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Every strand of tertiary hair has its very own sebaceous gland which produces oil. It also as an arectorpili

muscle that lifts the piece of hair upwards through the scalp.

Tertiary hair:

Grows at an angle from the hair follicle. These angles on the head vary and can often change direction

which causes a person to have a natural parting.

Has a pigment, giving the hair its own unique colour.

Can be wavy, curly or straight.

How Does My Hair Grow?

There are different stages of hair growth. It is like a cycle. It grows, it stops growing, it falls out and the whole

process starts all over again. Sometimes something happens that stops the renewal process, therefore the hair

is not replaced and the person goes bald.

Your hair is constantly being renewed and replaced as each hair on your head has its own growth cycle. There

are three different stages of hair growth.

1. Anagen. This is the main growing stage. It is when the papilla produces the most hair cells in the hair

follicle. It is not uncommon for this stage to last a number of months or in some cases even years.

2. Catagen. A person’s hair stops growing at this point. The bulb at the bottom of the shaft splits from the

papilla and moves up through the follicle.

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3. Telogen. The follicle rests for a while and during this time there is no hair growth. This is also known as

the ‘falling stage.’ The hair’s bulb begins to shrink and then it detaches itself from the base of the follicle

causing the hair to fall away. Eventually, new hair will begin to form and push its way up.

19.2. Hair Types

Hair’s Natural Movement

Your hair can grow in a number of ways. It can grow dead straight, it can be wavy, or it can be really curly.

When a person has naturally wavy hair, it is believed that it is caused by an uneven growth pattern as the hairs

move along through the hair follicles. Waves and curls can also be the result of certain biological influences

like diet, shock, drug use or hormonal changes.

Hair and its Racial Characteristics

Each race tends to have different hair types and specific colours. While this varies, there are a few dominant

hair characteristics amongst different races.

African-Caribbean and West Indian hair tends to be extremely curly. It is often coarser and frizzier,

but at the same time it is usually very soft. Contrary to popular belief not all African hair is kinky and there

are different sub-types of African hair.

- Natural hair colour is black.

- Grows slower than Caucasian hair.

- Contains less water and moisture than other hair types.

- The hair shaft is usually dry.

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- Hair is vulnerable to breakage.

- Common hair diseases or disorders that affect Afro scalps and hair are dandruff, allergic contact dermatitis

caused by external factors such as chemical relaxers and glue used in weaving, acne cheloidalisnuchae, which

is a condition of the skin that affects the neck and results in itchy bumps close to the hairline caused by ingrown

hairs, clipping, and razoring, and keloid, which is a benign hair condition that is caused by excessive collagen

formation caused by minor injuries and insect bites.

Oriental and Indian hair tends to be thick, straight and darker in colour. Its texture is coarse. Asian

people usually have more of a natural shine to their hair compared to other races.

Scandinavian hair is typically thinner, straight and fair. Scandinavians usually have less body hair.

European hair is usually a combination of dark Latin hair and Scandinavian fair hair with some Celtic

hair influences, which is usually red.

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19.3 How to Maintain your Healthy Hair and Scalp

There are a few main factors that determine whether your hair is in good condition or not, these are:

Your health. If you are healthy, you will be able to notice this in the condition of your skin and hair. A

combination of a well-balanced diet and exercise is essential.

Your diet. You need a well-balanced diet which includes plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. You need

to consume enough healthy carbohydrates and protein and make sure you get enough clean water on a

daily basis.

Exercise. Exercising on a regular basis will help your blood carry all the essential nutrients to the hair.

Your environment. Your hair can be influenced by your environment. Different parts of the world have

different qualities of tap water – this too has a great effect on your hair. Some people have access to soft

water and others have access to hard water and this will determine which hair cleansers and conditioners

must be used. If you live close to the sea, you will suffer the same negative effects as those people who

live in area that has high pollution. Because of the high amount of salt and impurities, you will need to

wash and condition your hair more than the average person.

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Hair and Scalp Damage

There are three main kinds of hair and scalp damage that you need to watch out for:

Chemical

Physical

Biological

Chemical damage. Every time you make the decision to apply chemicals to your hair, you are damaging

it even more. There are of course some chemicals which are more harmful, but they all still have a negative

effect.

-Cheap hair products, such as inferior shampoos, conditioners, and hair styling products destroy the hair over

time, making it more difficult to manage.

- Perms destroy the hair by raising the cuticle allowing the harsh chemicals to penetrate even more, which in

turn alters the chemical composition of the cortex. Chemicals used for perms can weaken and damage your

hair by changing its acidic balance.

- Misusing hair dye can cause serious damage to your hair and weaken it. Using a permanent hair color raises

the hair’s cuticle allowing chemicals to penetrate it more, which again changes the chemical makeup of the

hair’s cortex.

- Bleach is the most damaging hairdressing procedure. The chemicals used in hair bleaching strip the hair of

all its natural colours and at the same time takes out a lot of its moisture. Once you remove this moisture from

the hair, it can never be replaced.

- Chlorine, used in swimming pools is highly alkaline. When combined with your hair’s keratin it makes the

hair brittle.

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Physical damage. As your hair grows more, it becomes older. The end of your hair that has grown long

below your shoulders is probably about three years old. This older hair will more than likely have been

shampooed and conditioned hundreds of times. It has been combed and brushed even more than that, not

to mention other chemicals it has been exposed to. Common ways that your hair can be damaged physically

are:

- Over-shampooing strips your hair of its natural oils that protect and lubricate your hair.

- Over-brushing or using harsh brushes strips your hair’s cuticles. Brush your hair with care and make sure

you continue to use a quality hair brush.

- Combing your hair too much, especially when you tug at it when it is wet stretches the hair too much and in

turn causes damage. To reduce the effects of combing damage, use a wide-toothed comb and begin untangling

your hair from its ends.

- Applying elastic bands to tightly to your hair causes damage to the cuticle layer of the hair causing it to

break.

- Using rollers too often stretches the hair and can destroy part of the cortex which is responsible for the hair’s

elasticity.

- Too much heat from holding a hair dryer to close to your hair causes an extreme heat buildup, stripping the

hair’s cuticle layer and exposing the cortex which results in a loss of your hair’s natural moisture.

- Using electric tongs and hair straighteners are the most harmful kind of heat as it is directly applied to your

hair, which in turn damages the cuticle layer and again exposes the cortex resulting in a loss of its natural

moisture.

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Biological damage

- Follicultis is a bacterial infection that affects your hair’s follicles. Symptoms include redness around the

hair’s follicles and there also may be small yellow pustules present. If you see these symptoms, it is essential

to seek immediate medical advice.

- Fragilitiscrinium otherwise known as split ends occur when the hair’s cuticles dry out and begin to split or

fracture. This is more common in longer hair. Split ends can be the result of using inferior hair products. There

is no cure for these and the only thing you can do is to get your hair trimmed well to strengthen it.

- Pediculosiscapitis is more commonly known as head lice. This is very contagious. Lice are a kind of parasite

that feed off a person’s skin. Female lice lay their eggs, which are commonly referred to as nits, in the hair.

The eggs are attached to a person’s hair with a glue-like substance. If you notice you have nits, you can use a

special wash away shampoo to get rid of the infestation.

- Pityriasiscapitis is what you know as dandruff. Everyone sheds dead skin cells from their scalps, however,

when this happens excessively, it can become unsightly and embarrassing. It can be caused by micro-

organisms, infections, and in some cases, by a lack of sebum. Dandruff can be easily treated by using a

combination of specially medicated shampoos and conditioners, which will help soften the scalp and replace

the moisture.

- Seborrhoea is the scientific word that refers to an oily scalp. The oil is excreted from your scalp’s sebaceous

glands. Sometimes it is noticeable with its distinct odor. It is particularly common in adolescents, but can

appear in anyone who has a hormonal imbalance. It is often the result of using cheap over-the-counter products

on your head. If you have a severe case, you will have use mild medicated shampoos.

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19.4 Keeping your Hair Healthy and Shiny

All people, especially women, want to maintain their hair and keep its natural shine and vibrancy without it

appearing oily. However, there are forces that can work against us. Our hair is at its peak quality during the

first twenty years of our lives when our hair shafts are the strongest. Over time, we begin to use more chemicals

on our hair, and this coupled with physical assaults can cause our hair to dramatically weaken. After using

chemical treatments such as straightening products, dyes, and perms, the hair becomes a lot frizzier and it

becomes more difficult to manage as the hair’s natural oils are stripped.

Regardless of whether you have religiously coloured your hair or not, your hair’s natural oil production begins

to significantly slow down when you are in your 30s, which results in drier and duller hair, and as women

begin to enter menopause in their mid-40s and 50s, the hair also begins to thin out more due to their lower

estrogen levels. The hair then becomes brittle and it tends to lose its natural elasticity, again making it more

difficult to style. Additionally, as your hair turns gray, the texture of it also changes and it becomes

considerably coarser.

Your hair looks and shines its best when the tiny scales on the hair’s cuticles lay flat as this helps to reflect

back any ray of light. Luckily for us there are a number of things that we can do to help keep our hair’s shiny

and youthful appearance.

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1. Opt for Semi-Permanent Dyes

Dying your hair constantly wrecks havoc on your hair, however, this does not mean you have to stop dying

your hair completely. Instead of using permanent hair dyes on your hair, choose semi-permanent colours. Such

dyes do not contain any ammonia. Using semi-permanent dyes allows your hair to grow out due to the lower

level of colour deposits. Additionally, there will be less regrowth. However, if you have gray hair and you

want to colour more than 50% of your hair, you will still need to use a permanent colour.

2. Limit Shampooing

If you have oily or fine hair, it is acceptable to wash your hair almost every day, especially after exercising.

However, if you have really thick or dry hair, it is recommended to only wash it every second or third day.

Washing your hair too much may strip your hair of its essential natural oils, which will make it even drier and

as a result your hair will appear dull. If your hair is already damaged, excessive shampooing will worsen it.

3. Condition before Shampooing

Usually, you are told to condition your hair after shampooing, however, if your hair is colourerd, you can

extend your colour’s life and increase hydration by using your conditioner prior to shampooing. Apply a little

bit of your conditioner to your wet and unwashed hair and work it through your locks. Afterwards, shampoo

your hair as normal and rinse it will lukewarm water. By conditioning your hair first, your hair will absorb all

of the moisture and the hair’s cuticles will be sealed.

4. Use Products that Protect your Hair from Heat

When you blow dry your hair, it sucks out all the moisture. Prior to blow drying, apply a specially formulated

heat-styling product and set your dryer to either low or medium. If you can, invest in a special ionic hair dryer;

it works a lot quicker and does not cause as much damage to the hair as a regular hair dryer.

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5. Use Hair Masks

Every week, give your hair an intensive conditioning mask or treatment. These can be store bought or you can

equally get solid results with a simple homemade recipe. Beat 2 eggs with a whole mashed avocado and apply

this mixture to wet hair. After applying, cover your hair completely with a hot wet towel or a shower cap.

Leave the treatment in for 2-3 hours and rinse it out with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo as normal.

6. Protect your Hair from the Sun

The sun damages and dries the hair. You need to take extra special care if you have either brittle or dyed hair

as the sun will only make it worse. If you are planning to spend time in the sun, use specially formulated UV

hair protection products that come in creams and sprays.

7. Get a Good Brush

Invest in a decent bristle brush and regularly brush your hair. Excessive brushing is bad for your hair, however,

it is recommended you should brush approximately four times a day as this helps move your hair’s natural

oils from the roots right through to the ends of your hair. It is also a good way to massage your scalp as it

helps with your blood circulation, making your hair follicles stronger.

8. Trim your Hair Regularly

If you want to help maintain your hair’s healthy shine, get your hair trimmed regularly. For women, it is

recommended to get it done professionally every six weeks. A small trim has the ability to bring your hair

back to life by removing the dry and damaged parts. Your hair will feel thick and it will have more of a natural

lift.

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9. Use Fewer Hair Products

The more hair products you use in your hair, the poorer its condition. Hair products like gels, hairsprays, and

mousses cling to your hair, and as soon as they are applied, your hair no longer shines, so only use when

necessary. Additionally, constant use of harsh hair products eventually result in hair loss and brittle hair.

10. Oil-based Products

If you do use hair products, look for products that contain natural oils and silicones. These will penetrate your

scalp and help nourish your hair’s follicles.

11. Avoid Hot Water

Really hot water splinters the hair’s cuticles. This results in an uneven and dull surface. After you have finished

showering in a hot shower, give your hair a quick rinse with cool water to relax your hair and prevent damage

from heat.

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19.5. Best Hair Care for Different Hair Types

Hair Care for Thinning Hair

Different people begin to lose their hair for various reasons, and contrary to popular belief, hair loss is not just

limited to men. Hormones, stress, and some medications can result in the thinning of the hair. Hair often thins

out because it has a fine texture and another reason that may cause it to become thinner is the use of harsh

chemical products which cause it to break easily.

Colour your Hair for Hair Loss

Hair loss can be hereditary. If this is the case, your hair is most probably healthy overall. Colouring your

hair with a permanent or a semi-permanent hair colour can give your hair more body and volume.

If you have taken medication that has weakened your hair and caused it to fall out, try using a semi-

permanent hair dye because it does not contain any peroxide or ammonia.

Products to add Volume

Avoid volume building hair products that contain paraffin (beeswax). This causes a buildup and results in

hair breakage.

Buy salon volumising products that do not weigh the hair down. Apply a little bit of salon bought mousse

at your roots for extra support and volume.

After applying mousse, blow the roots dry while applying a little bit of tension with a rounded brush to

build volume in your hair.

Shampooing Thinning Hair

Wash only when dirty.

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Finer and thinner hair becomes dirtier quicker therefore you will need to wash your hair more frequently.

Use a volume building conditioner.

Blow drying fine or thinning hair is safe.

Thin hair is more vulnerable, therefore try and avoid putting direct heat onto your hair in the form of

curling irons and flat irons because they will just cause more damage and breakage.

Do not use any kind of curl relaxing product on fine or thinning hair due to their strong chemical content.

Permanent Wave

A permanent wave can give more volume to finer hair; however, the hair must still be healthy and not

brittle.

Go for a gentle wave as opposed to tighter curls as they damage the hair more.

This should be considered as the last resort due to the chemicals of permanents being harsh.

Hair Care for Curly Hair

Curly hair has a reputation for being one of the more difficult hair types to look after and style. It is much

drier than other hair types and it is affected by humidity more. It is also more susceptible to getting split ends

and breaking.

Shampooing Curly Hair

Do not be tricked into marketing ploys – there are no special hair shampoos or conditioners that are unique

for your curly hair.

Look for shampoos and conditioners that cater to dry and damaged hair.

Over-shampooing curly hair makes your hair drier and more brittle.

Concentrate the shampooing to the scalp area and after that has been cleaned, gently continue to shampoo

the ends.

Use a minimal amount of conditioner and apply it close to your scalp where the new hair growth is without

touching the scalp as this will result in your hair becoming greasy.

Keep the conditioner in your hair for as long as possible. The longer you leave it, the more effective it will

be.

Apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner to the ends of your curly hair as this will control the frizz

and help soften the hair.

Sleeping with your conditioner on the ends of your hair is also recommended. This overnight hair treatment

will help rejuvenate the dead ends. Look for a conditioner that has an emollient base.

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Styling Curly Hair

It is sometimes difficult to style curly hair. It takes a little bit of experimenting and finding out what works

best for you.

After showering, towel-dry your hair gently by blotting it, not rubbing. When you rub your wet curly hair

with a towel it damages the hair and this is one of the causes of frizzy hair.

Brushing curly hair separates it and breaks up the curls causing it to become frizzy. Instead use a wide-

tooth plastic comb in order to gently detangle your hair.

If you have thick coarse curly hair, apply a little bit of silicone serum to the hair before you begin styling

to protect it. Avoid applying the serum directly to the scalp.

If you want to avoid damage to your hair, letting it dry naturally as opposed to blow drying it is the

preferred route, however, this is not always practical. If you do blow dry your hair, use it on a lower setting

with a diffuser attached to it. Diffusers reduce the impact of the blowing air on your hair; it also helps

maintain your curls and keep their shape.

When blow drying your hair, gently scrunch the curls, lifting the hair at the roots as you do it. Before doing

this, apply a little bit of styling cream for curly hair first.

Avoid using too many styling products. You will need to be more careful and take time when you are

applying them as it is more difficult to apply them evenly on curly hair.

If you do not have any special shine serum for hair, you can also use a silicone-based serum for the face

to tame frizzy hair and control split ends

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Hair Care for Oily Hair

Your hair needs oil to protect the hair shafts from breakage. It also helps to keep your scalp in a healthy good

condition. Oil is what gives your hair a healthy sheen; however, sometimes it can be too much.

Oily hair is hereditary

It can be caused by fluctuating hormones. In women, it is more common when they have their period or

use birth control pills.

Shampooing Oily Hair

It is recommended to shampoo oily hair on a daily basis.

Use a good solvent-type of shampoo. These shampoos help cut the grease.

To add a little bit of a boost to your standard shampoo, try adding a couple of drops of a standard

dishwashing liquid and mix it with the shampoo.

Oily hair requires a special alkaline based product. Shampoos with a pH level that is higher than 6.7 will

work best.

Always rinse your hair thoroughly. If you leave any soap residue in your hair, it will just collect more dirt

and oil.

People with oily hair do not need to use conditioners. Because the job of the conditioner is to coat the hair,

it is not necessary. If needed, just apply a small amount of conditioner to the ends of your hair if you see

they are drying out.

Brushing Oily Hair

Only brush your hair when necessary. When you brush your hair, it pulls the oil from the scalp and then

distributes it through your hair making it even oilier.

DIY Home Treatments for Oily Hair

Acidic rinses will help decrease the oil content in your hair. After shampooing your hair as usual, give

your hair a rinse mixed with either lemon juice or diluted vinegar. After rinsing your hair with the mix,

wash it out with lukewarm water. This will help restore a healthy pH level in your hair.

Alcohol has a drying effect. The higher the alcohol percentage the better it is. Mix together a shot glass of

alcohol with a few cups of lukewarm water and rinse it through your hair. Let it sit for a few minutes and

then rinse it out to take away the shine.

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Cider vinegar helps control shampoo buildup that those with oily hair are prone to. Mix ¼ cup of cider

vinegar with some water and spray it onto your hair. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and then rinse it out

with warm water.

Tea contains a high concentration of tannic acidwhich can help cut the oil in your hair. Rinse your hair

with a warm diluted black tea and wash it out a few minutes afterwards.

Beer has a special drying effect. It will clean your hair right to your scalp, resulting in your hair having a

nice healthy shine.

Lemon juice mixed with water acts as a good rinse for oily hair. Rinse it through your hair and then follow

up by washing it out with warm water. This will help control any buildup of shampoo in your hair.

19.6. Food and Nutrients for Lustrous Hair and a Healthy Scalp

Unhealthy food laden with oil and calories is not only bad for your body, it can also damage your healthy hair

and scalp. You need to be careful with what you consume if you want to maintain healthy hair. All of the

nutrients you choose to consume have an impact on each strand of hair, your follicles, and your scalp.

1. Salmon

Some of the most important ingredients for keeping your hair and scalp healthy are vitamin D and protein.

Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, protein and vitamin D. The omega-3 fatty acids will help keep the

hair shafts and scalp well-hydrated.

2. Beef

Beef has all the necessary nutrients to maintain healthy hair. It has protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B, and other

essential minerals.

3. Prunes

Including more prunes in your weekly diet will improve the texture of your hair. It will also help regulate your

bowel movements. Rich in iron, prunes help prevent hair loss. They also have been proved to improve the

appearance of dull, thin and discoloured hair.

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4. Green Tea

Green tea has polyphenols, which help keep your scalp nice and healthy. When your scalp is healthy, you will

see that your hair’s overall health will also improve. Green tea can be drunk or applied as a rinse to help keep

your hair dandruff free and shiny.

5. Carrots

Carrots are full of vitamin A which helps in the formation of the scalp’s sebum oil. Sebum oil is essential to

keep your hair and scalp properly moisturised.

6. Eggs

Eggs contain both vitamin B and biotin which are important if you want to maintain healthy hair. Biotin helps

keep your hair strong and healthy and is one of the main ingredients of many shampoos, conditioners, and

deep-cleansing hair treatments.

7. Dark leafy greens

Make sure to include vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, and spinach in your diet. They are an excellent source

of vitamins A and C, both of which help with the hair’s production of sebum, a natural hair conditioner.

8. Brown rice

Brown rice contains vitamins, protein and fibre. It helps keep your hair and scalp healthy, and additionally it

is a great diet food as it keeps you full over a longer period of time.

9. Oysters

When a person suffers from dandruff or hair loss it is often the result of a low level of androgen, which is a

hormone. Oysters are full of zinc, which helps increase your body’s production of androgen.

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10. Walnuts

Walnuts are the healthiest nuts you can eat for your hair’s maintenance and nourishment. Rich in omega-3

fatty acids, vitamin E, copper, and biotin, walnuts will protect your hair from sun damage and at the same time

help prevent hair loss.

19.7 What to stop doing now if you want to keep your Hair Healthy

Hot Showers

Hot water sucks out the moisture of your hair and dehydrates it. This leads to dry and brittle hair with the

increased chances of your hair falling out. By having hot showers you are washing away the hair’s essential

natural oils and sending the scalp’s pores into overdrive, which can lead to root damage.

Hot Hair Styling Tools

Hot temperatures really damage your hair, especially the protective cuticles. Once you have damaged the

hair’s cuticle, you disrupt the moisture balance and your hair will become dry and brittle.

Crash Dieting

Starving yourself or severely limiting your calorie intake directs the stored energy towards your body’s

essential functions like your heart and brain. Eat a healthy well-balanced diet and make sure you get enough

protein each day in the form of beans, lentils, fish, and chicken.

Mistreating Wet Hair

Your hair is at its most fragile when it is wet, which is why you need to avoid brushing or combing your hair

in the shower and drying your hair aggressively with a towel. Blot your hair dry instead of rubbing it.

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Tight Hairstyles

Ponytails and braids that have been tightly tied place too much tension on the hairs’ follicles. This not only

causes temporary damage, it also causes scarring on the scalp, making it more difficult for new hair to grow.

Head Scratching

If you have an itchy scalp from a condition such as seborreic dermatitis, you will most likely be tempted to

scratch your head a lot. However, this scratching can result in hair loss as it damages the hairs’ cuticles. If you

are suffering from an itchy scalp, look for special shampoos that contain zinc, selenium or tree tea oil that will

relieve some of the discomfort.