8 best kept hair secrets
We all want our hair to look its best. There are hundreds of products available, from straightening sprays to leave-in conditioners - but what really does make a difference to our hair?
We look at what you should do to maintain a healthy head of hair.
1-Boost hair with silicone
Thin, lifeless hair is a major complaint for many of us out there. If you want to give your hair a bit of body - look for products that contain silicone such as dimethicone or cyclomethicone. These coat the strands with a thin film, creating a fuller head of hair that doesn’t look greasy.
2-Eat fish and nuts
The protein and omega 3 found in fish and nuts ensures healthy hair. Fish also contains a good supply of iron and vitamin B12, which are essential for healthy skin and hair. Iron is stored in your hair follicles and used by the body for other means. If the body is depleted in iron, these stores are used by other cells and the hair suffers.
Walnuts, cashews and pecans are a great source of zinc, an important mineral which can slow hairloss and thinning.
3-Split ends and breaking hair
No hair product is going to salvage split hair and breaking ends. Once the hairs have reached the stage where they split or break, the only thing to do is get a hairdresser to trim them. People who are prone to split ends should get their hair trimmed at least every six weeks.
4-Use cold water to give shine
Cold water helps to seal the cuticle layer of the hair strand (helping hair to maintain moisture) and helps conditioner work better, leaving the hair more lustrous. Plus, when the cuticle is smooth, light reflects easily off its surface, so your hair has a healthy sheen.
Hot water can strip the scalp of sebum, which is the protective oil that acts as a natural conditioner and gives hair its shine.
5-Hair dye and products
Colouring hair can damage it. There are three types of hair colour – permanent, semi-permanent and temporary – and most have chemicals at different concentrations. People who use too many chemical products on their hair tend to suffer more than others.
Replenishing moisture in your hair with a good quality conditioner will help prevent this problem. Buy ones for coloured or damaged hair.
6-Don't wash hair everyday
Washing it every day will strip it of all the nutrients and oils and can dry your scalp and hair. Washing your hair every two to three days will make your hair healthier.
If you have very oily hair, and don't want to consider washing every other day, try using a bit of dry shampoo at the roots and hairline.
7-Supplements
such as biotin, silica and iron can help grow healthy hair.
Biotin, an important B vitamin, can improve the hairs strength against breakages. It can be found naturally in beans – such as legumes, along with pulses.
Silica is often a component of many of the 'hair, skin and nails' vitamins available.
Iron is stored in your hair follicles and used by the body for other means. If the body is low in iron, these stores will be used by other cells and the hair suffers.
8-Don't brush hair while wet
When hair is wet, it's at its weakest – so don't brush it. Combing your hair with a wide-toothed comb, whilst it has conditioner on is a better idea. Wet hair is more easily damaged than dry hair.
The best thing to do is towel dry your hair and let it dry naturally, without brushing.
By Karen Gordon, health journalist
Source: netdoctor. co. uk
