Hair today, gone tomorrow

Stuck in a series of bad hair days?  Is your hair dry, damaged or oily?  There is a shampoo for every case, but did you know that healthy hair needs more than a rich, lathering shampoo?  It’s not just about what you put in your hair, it’s about the quality of your diet!  Curly or straight, your hair can still look great!

Omega-3’s

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to support scalp health.  An omega-3 deficiency can cause a dry, itchy scalp and dry or brittle hair.  In the mirror, you’ll notice your strands looking dull and lacklustre.

Vitamins A & C

Beta-carotene, the pre-cursor to Vitamin A is important for hair growth.  Vitamin C along with Vitamin A, help to create sebum (the oily substance secreted by your hair follicles).  Sebum is good because it acts as a natural hair conditioner.

Biotin

A biotin deficiency can result in brittle strands.  You may notice you have a lot of hair breakage or split ends as a result.  Biotin is also important in hair growth.

Omega-3	Vitamin A	Vitamin C	Biotin
Salmon Flax seed Enriched eggs Walnuts	Eggs Milk products Cheese Beef	Oranges Apples Tomatoes Bell peppers	Beans Tomatoes Romaine lettuce

 

Dandruff

A dry scalp produces little white flakes around the hair follicle, known as dandruff.  Some foods that flush the face and scalp may actually promote dandruff.  If you think you have dandruff, try to avoid these foods and see if you notice an improvement: Hot liquids, heavily spiced foods and alcohol.

Here, Here for Beer!

The use of beer to pump up hair’s shine has sparked a lot of interest in this blog.  But, it’s not quite as simple as pouring a can of beer over your head.  The tip is still very easy to do, but you have boil off the alcohol first!  Keep reading to find out how to do this in your own home!

What you need:

1 cup of beer

1 cup of your favourite shampoo

What to do:

1. Microwave beer on high power for 4 minutes, until it reaches a rolling boil.
2. Stir in shampoo and warm at medium power for 5 minutes until the liquid has been reduced by about a third.  Let cool until warm.
3. Use as you would any regular shampoo.  Apply directly to wet scalp, later & rinse thoroughly.

Why does it work?

Beer is great for your hair because it’s mild and doesn’t clog the scalp with lots of soapy suds.  Beer also enhances hair’s natural highlights.  Use the shampoo mixture while its still warm to stimulate the scalp and increase blood flow.

Beat the Heat!

Blow dryers and heat styling tools strip hair of its moisture when used on a regular basis.  Treat your tresses by going natural!  Eat a balanced diet and focus on healthy hair nutrients to make your hair shiny and run-your-fingers through smooth!

References:

Birnes, N. (1990). Hoppy hair help. Zap Crafts. Ten Speed Press, California.

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