Let's Talk Hair Care
Having dandruff that then turned out to be psoriasis isn’t exactly something to brag about. A consistently itchy scalp, having to be cautious of what way you part your hair, not to mention dry and brittle hair is way less than ideal. Psoriasis is heredity and although I can’t promise you a cure, I can share with you my top tips on how I manage it and how I improved the overall health of my hair.
When it comes to hair care, there are two things you need to know. First, healthy hair starts on the inside. It doesn’t matter how often you wash your hair or how expensive your hair care products are, you have to nourish your body from within. Secondly, longer, stronger, healthier hair starts from the scalp. So if you want to improve the condition of your hair, start at the top first.
With that being said, first thing’s first – healthier hair starts from the inside so learn what you need to add into your diet or take out of it. Then focus on what you need to remove from your shampoo. I changed my diet, added in supplements specific to my hair needs, ramped up my hair care regime and made the switch to natural shampoos. Only then did I start to see the change in the length, condition and overall health of my hair.
Eat good quality protein. Think lean cut meats, nuts and seeds, legumes, quinoa and eggs. By having good quality protein in your diet, you provide your hair and scalp with the building blocks it needs to strengthen each cell and minimise breakage. It also helps to keep your hair nourished and assists in the growth process.
Eat more of the good stuff and less of the bad stuff. Eat more fruit, more veggies and drink more water. The more nutrients you consume, the more it will boost the health of hair cells. Consuming good fats such as avocado, nuts, olive oil and oily fish will also boost hair health and help reduce the dryness and flakiness of the scalp. Good fats work to hydrate the scalp and provide a natural anti-inflammatory response, meaning it minimizes dandruff flare ups. Over a couple of weeks, I noticed that the dandruff had started to reduce. By adding in real food like fresh fruit and veggies, lean cuts of meat, eggs, oily fish, good fats and water and reducing things like processed food and sugar, you reduce scalp irritations. A balanced diet is key for hair health.
Supplement with quality products that supply the right nutrients. Nutrients such as good fats, zinc, vitamin D, selenium, calcium and Vitamin B2 are all important for scalp health. Each nutrient assists in the reduction of dandruff through increasing the wound healing process, strengthening hair follicles, transporting all required nutrients to the scalp and regulates the hairs oil glands just to name a few. Let’s be honest, taking 6+ supplements for your hair is expensive and an inconvenience. Look for a supplement that covers all nutrients and talk with a health professional first. Personally, I used and began to notice results within a month.
Remove toxins from your shampoo. This was a big one for me; finding the right shampoo. Steer away from parabens, sulphates, silicones and artificial additives, as they tend to irritate the scalp, resulting in dryness, itchiness and dandruff. I made the switch to shampoo and conditioners and within a few washes, I noticed my hair lasted longer between washes and the build up of dandruff was less frequent.
Use natural oils as hair masks. I rotate between Jojaba oil, macadamia oil and coconut oil. Two out of the three can be purchased from your local supermarket in the cooking oils section and are an inexpensive way of boosting your hair and scalp health. Massage the oil into your scalp and hair before showering. Allow it to set in your hair for at least 30 mins before washing. By doing so, it allows the hair and scalp to lock in moisture and rehydrate. Depending on my week, I’d either sleep with the oil in my hair and wash it the next morning or put it in whilst I was cooking breakfast or doing other things around the house. In fact, I’ve got coconut oil whilst writing this article!
Always allow a minimum of three months for a new hair care regime to kick in as it takes time for your hair to grow and change.
I naturally have curly hair, which means my hair has always been on the dry and brittle side, having dandruff for as long as I can remember certainly didn’t help. By making the 5 changes to my lifestyle, I noticed a dramatic change in my hair. It was at its longest and healthiest, it was a lot shinier than ever before and to top it all off, my dandruff had reduced and was very minimal.
Hair care through diet, supplementation and shampoo changes is a long-term commitment and is something that requires consistency. As soon as I had become complacent and stopped the above, my hair returned back to its dry, brittle and dandruffy state. As soon as I resumed my hair care regime again, my hair restored itself.
If you would like to know more or need assistance with changing your diet, email me at latoya@lwnutrition.com.au