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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Young, Fabulous Hair



Photo courtesy of flickr user Symic.

When trying to prevent aging, we often focus our attention on our skin, specifically the face. But why stop there? If your hair is changing as you age, the way you care for it should change, too. You can renew your hair by making even the smallest changes. Whether it is the products you are using or a change in your everyday styling routine, there is a way to keep your hair looking sleek, luscious and healthy.

Like the famous philosopher Sir Francis Bacon said, “Knowledge is power.” In order to prevent your hair from becoming dull, you should first understand how it ages.

Let’s get down to the science of the matter.
The average human being has around 100,000 strands of hair, although it can vary for each person. Each piece of hair is made up of protein, called keratin, which is surrounded by an outer layer of overlapping sheets forming the cuticle. The fastest-growing cells in the body grow within the only living part of a strand of hair, the hair follicle in the skin. Changes in biochemical or hormonal, microscopic or environmental factors can cause hair to age.

Five Tips for Younger Looking Hair

1. Watch your diet.
We are what we eat! There are certain foods that are full of good fats that can help you maintain a healthy scalp and head of hair. Partaking in a nutritious diet of salmon, walnuts, oysters or sweet potatoes will be the start of a new look. Below are other foods that are great for long locks.
Lean meats
Ensuring that you’re eating enough lean protein can help prevent hair loss. Lean protein can be found in foods like:
  • Ground sirloin
  • Eggs
  • Edamame
  • Pork chops
  • Chicken tenderloins

Dark green vegetables
Foods containing vitamins A and C and the mineral iron, such as spinach, broccoli and Swiss chard, can help prevent hair loss.

Low-fat dairy
Yogurt, cottage cheese and other low-fat dairy foods contain calcium, which encourages hair growth.

2. Take your vitamins.
Not every shampoo is the same, which is why we strongly suggest using shampoos, conditioners and hair masks containing vitamins A, B, C and E. Along with vitamins, nutrients such as calcium and magnesium in shampoo can help repair hair damage. Make sure to pay attention to the ingredients label to guarantee that the formula does not contain sulfates. These cleansers have been known to strip hair of its natural oils.
3. Be easy on wet hair.
No matter the color, length or texture of your hair, it’s most sensitive when it’s wet. I don’t think this next statement will be a problem for the “tenderheaded” people of the group, but be CAREFUL when brushing your hair right after a shower. Rather than a brush, consider using a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair while still in the shower.

4. Put down the blowdryer.
Let me clarify this tip. I am not saying that you should never blow dry, straighten, curl or otherwise use heat on your hair again, but the temperature of the hot tool of choice could probably be dropped a bit. Try to prevent stubborn flyaways, frizziness and dryness by using an ionic (also known as negative ion) blow-dryer with 2,000 watts or more, or use a straightener with pure ceramic plates.

5. Release some pressure.
Have you ever gotten a headache from a ponytail holder that’s too tight? There is a reason for that. Loosen up your ponytail by using no-crease ponytail holders, stray away from tight braids and avoid products that make the hair stiff, such as extra hold hair sprays.

Need more tips on healthier and younger-looking hair? Leave a comment below and we will try to help you out! 


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