You are here

OT - Women Wednesday

Aniki-Moderator's picture

The work week (for lots of people is almost half over, making this Hump Day!!! (Psssst... why do they call it Hump Day when most people get nooky on the weekends?).

Spring means an increase of outdoor activities and increased exposure to sunlight on your hair (your head is closer to the sun - lol!). There are good, bad, and ugly effects of sun on your hair.

GOOD
Vitamin D is good for your hair. Your hair needs it to help prevent hair loss, amongst other things. So soak some up!

 

BAD
Your scalp is naturally coated with a hydrolipidic film, that fights against external bacteria. Too much sun can, unfortunately, damage this film - just like it does to your skin.

 

UGLY
Epithelial cells are the cells working in the hair growth department. However, they are sensitive to the UV light emitted by the Sun. UV rays deplete levels of Vitamin E and C in these cells, and that doesn't go down well with them.

 

SOLUTIONS

  • Oil strengthens your scalp's natural security system - scalp as well as hair strands! So oil your hair nicely. Jasmine-infused coconut oil especially does the trick - the antioxidants in jasmine oil protect you against the sun and the fragrance is a bonus!
  • Drink, drink, drink like a fish! Water keeps your hair hydrated from the inside. Make sure you get plenty of it.
  • You need Vitamins C, D, and E. Either take your vitamins via supplements or eat foods rich in vitamins.

Here are 10 superfoods for your hair:

  1. PROTEIN
    Hair is made of protein and protein is needed for hair growth and strength. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian or the eat-anything-with-legs sort, you need a minimum of 40-50 grams a day (or a portion serving of protein that’s the size of your palm). The protein in lean meats like chicken, eggs and fish or dals, pulses and paneer is essential food for healthy hair.
  2. OMEGA 3
    Omega 3 isn’t produced by our body and your scalp needs this fatty acid for a hydrated scalp! So if you want shiny, lustrous hair, remember to pick that salmon dish the next time you’re out for dinner. If you’re not particularly fond of fish, you can also get small amounts of Omega 3 from flax seeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds.
  3. IRON
    If you need a healthy head of hair, the blood flowing to your scalp needs iron. Your hair follicles thrive on it. So stock up your plate with green leafy veggies, red meat or nuts - all high in iron content.
  4. VITAMIN C
    Those mixed fruit smoothies are great food for healthy hair. Why? Because tropical fruits like orange and guava are high in Vitamin C. This vitamin has collagen which helps hair growth. If you’re combatting hair breakage, make sure you eat at least 75 milligrams a day (which equals one full orange, or just half a guava).
  5. VITAMIN A
    This is your go to amino acid if you’re looking for hair strength and vitamins for healthy hair. Your body turns Vitamin A into beta carotene, which is part of the composition of your hair along with protein. You can find Vitamin A in sweet potato and orange vegetables, like carrots and pumpkin. If those don’t take your fancy, throw in a few extra curry leaves in your next curry dish or casserole (it has anti-graying properties!).
  6. VITAMIN B12
    Used in the formation of new cells, Vitamin B12 helps regrow hair. It can mostly be found in eggs, yogurt, yeast, organ meats (such as beef liver) and breakfast cereals. Among all the vitamins for healthy hair, B12 has the strongest effects on hair regrowth.
  7. ZINC
    A favorite with dermatologists, zinc is usually a supplement doled out to prevent hair loss. That’s because cells that are in charge of growing your hair depend on this food. Highest quantities are found in shellfish like clams, oysters, crab, and lobster. Dark chocolate also contains a generous amount. You can get smaller doses from chickpeas, flax seeds, and garlic.
  8. SELENIUM
    Selenium is a mineral that combats dandruff and fights problems like gray hair. It also prevents hair loss when included in your diet along with zinc-rich foods. Sunflower seeds, oats, and mushrooms are sources rich in selenium.
  9. BIOTIN
    Biotin may actually help reverse hair loss and strengthen your brittle hair! This essential mineral is an important building block in the process of hair growth. If there’s a good amount of biotin in your body, it contributes to the production of healthy hair and nails. That’s why doctors highly recommend it as a supplement for hair loss. Ways to include biotin naturally in your diet: almonds, cheese, bananas, berries, and cauliflower.
  10. VITAMIN D & CALCIUM
    They are ideal vitamins for healthy hair and, when taken together regularly, protect you from hair loss. Vitamin D is not just sunshine: you can get it from egg yolk, orange juice, soy milk, and cheese. Fatty fish like tuna, mackerel, and salmon also contain a good amount of Vitamin D. Milk products are the first pit-stop for calcium, but you can also get it from figs, beans and leafy greens like cabbage and black-eyed peas.

A balanced diet of food for healthy hair is all you need for those bouncy, lively locks. So update your grocery list!

Comments

I love dogs's picture

My hair has been so dry and brittle lately. I haven't colored in awhile but recently got a perm. I use a shine serum that my hairdresser gave me and it's ok. I wash with her curl products every other day or every third day. I shampoo my roots, let it run off of my ends while rinsing, and only condition my ends. I need to buy a hat for when I take my fur babies hiking, too, to protect my scalp! 

Aniki-Moderator's picture

My sister has to wear a hat to prevent her scalp from burning. I've been fortunate to not need to - I wear hats to keep the sun out of my eyes!

I finally got my hair cut professionally (it's been...decades) and learned that I was towel-drying my hair incorrectly. I was kind of scrubbing the towel all over my head instead of patting it dry. It's definitely made a difference with the frizzies - MUCH less frizz!

I love dogs's picture

I have just read that the sun is equivalent to heat damage from styling tools, but I have a dry scalp to begin with, so if I can keep the flakes away, I am happy! 

As for towel drying, I bought one of the towels specifically for hair from a store called At Home for $5, but I've seen them at Walmart and I love it. 

By the way, this morning was a "hump" day for me *ROFL*

Aniki-Moderator's picture

Sounds like you need to keep your head covered! Fortunately, I don't have a dry scalp - mine gets oily and I'm itching like crazy if I don't wash my hair every other day.

My hair is very fine, so putting the towel on my head and gently squeezing a couple of times is really all I need.

Oo-la-la, you go girl!! Yahoo

ESMOD's picture

You do have to be careful of shine serums since many of them include ingredients that can be very drying to our hair (I know.. seems opposite right?).  Make sure the shine serum doesn't have silicone.

I love dogs's picture

I didn't even think about that. Shame on me! I assumed because it was $30 for a 1 oz. bottle it was ok haha

It says sulfate free and no added sodium chloride? 

ProbablyAlreadyInsane's picture

Reading this made me start wondering if my scalp issue is partially because I just have a shortage of Omega 3... That would be nice... Smile

Aniki-Moderator's picture

Oded Fehr was so hot in The Mummy. And it's extremely rare for me to think a man with long hair is hot!

queensway's picture

Check out you tube bert and ernie fish call when you can.  I know you said you can't check at work. I would love to fish like this.

Hear fishy fishy fishy.

DaizyDuke's picture

I am working a total of 14 days in May and 8 days in June!  The perks of being a vacation hoarder and having to use or lose 18 days by July 1 AND I'm carrying over 5 into July, so I'll start the new (school) year off with 30 vacation days. 

I just read an article about some study that showed that people over the age of 40 should only work 3 days a week.  I concur!!!! I can't believe how much happier I am and how much more productive I seem to be at work only working 3 days a week.

https://www.simplemost.com/research-says-3-day-work-week-may-be-best-for...

Aniki-Moderator's picture

Lucky you!!

Now if I could get paid the same amount of money AND the company agreed to that work week, I'd be thrilled!!