#OneMonthtoHealthyHair

#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Why is your hair not growing?

March 16, 2015 Swati 2 Comments

So, another very common hair problem I came across while reading all the participants hair profiles was the complaint that their hairs were not growing. Now, the obvious answer is generally diet and genetics. So, let us explore if there are other reasons why your hair might not be growing.

Genes

Well, your hair type is a lot dependant on how your parents hair are or have been!! And, then, every person has a unique hair cycle which decides how long will your hair grow so if your hair is not growing beyond a certain point, it is because your hair growth cycle is very short.

In this case, the only thing you can do is to maintain the volume and make sure you hair is healthy. You can try to nourish your hair and try to increase the hair growth cycle period but there is no guarantee if that really happens.

Diet

This is another most common issue. Either due to bad eating habits or irregular routine or lack of absorption of the nutrients, your hair is the first to show signs of body abuse.

So, make sure you are taking good care of yourself by eating properly, cutting down on junk food, following a proper routine. And, also, it might be a good idea to get checked for any vitamin deficiencies.

Curly Hair

Well, this is a no-brainer. What happens with curly hair is that it tends to curl more as it grows so you do not really come to know the actual length of your hair!

Now, we come on to more serious reasons.

Age or Lack of Exercise

If you have crossed the 30-mark, the body functioning slows down and it is no longer as active as it used to be. Also, the blood circulation in the body might not be at its optimal.

Even if you are still under 20 but a certified couch potato or one who has minimal physical exercise, it is a good time for you to increase the oxygen flow in your body by working out. Lack of oxygen can impair growth of your hair.

Hair Routine and Scalp Health

Now, a lot depends on how you handle your hair – whether you are exposing it too much in sun or treating it to a lot of chemicals or even using the wrong hair bands.

And, then, we have the scalp issues which I have already discussed about.

Another issue is Hair Breakage. Now, if your hair is dry and brittle or has lots of split ends or if the hair is weak because of the lack of protein, your hair would fall off early and not grow to the desired length.

These are just a few reasons why your hair might not be growing. A few other reason are medical like thyroid issues or hormonal imbalances or you might have diabetes. Though the list is endless, I have mentioned a few points to start with!

#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Activity 8 – Weekend Hair Care Routine – II

March 14, 2015 Swati 13 Comments

Wow, another weekend already! When I was deciding the topics for the month, I had been completely overwhelmed that how would I be able to manage so many hair care posts and what would I write everyday. Little did I know the time would fly. So, what are your plans for this weekend?

Pre-Wash Hair Treatment

Now, last time, I had mentioned to you that you can use egg or, for those who do not like egg, there is curd. This is just a variation of the same routine today but this for those who are really seriously into hair care and CAN actually bear some grossness. This is best done in evening or at NIGHT so that you can spend your day howsoever you want or if you know you are free for entire day, feel free to do it in the morning itself. Btw, if you have dandruff then please skip this!! Curd can increase your dandruff.

So, apply Curd (no egg, please), leave for an hour, wash off with water thoroughly. No Shampoo. That’s it!! Come out of the shower.

I know your hair might stink depending on your curd type. If the curd is a little fatty and sour, your hair WILL stink. Otherwise, it should be just fine. Leave it just like that overnight. If you do have essential oils, I would recommend adding a few drops of your favourite in the curd before application.

Actually, this was a remedy which I had used long back during my graduation on my friend’s recommendation. She had mentioned that her neighbour had actually used this method during the holidays and actually witness some serious hair growth. Well, it did work for me as well. And, this method had also helped me get super soft and light hair.

After the hair is dry or depending on your preference for oiling your hair, you can give yourself a soothing hot oil treatment tonight or tomorrow in the morning. After a wait of few hours, wash off your hair with shampoo and condition.

After-Wash Hair Treatment

Once you wash your hair, you make sure you follow with the after-wash treatment right when your hair is damp. That ensures maximum water retention.

Today, I would suggest you to try out this aloevera gel DIY which I had published long long back. This is simple and hassle-free to use and gives really good results as well. And, I really hope you got your essential oils! The DIY should be applied both on scalp and hair length. This applies on hair just like any hair gel would so do not worry about it.

And, till the time you actually get yourself some aloevera gel, follow the last weeks after-wash hair care routine!! And, make sure to take good care of your scalp. And, I really hope you have increased your protein intake and are regular with your scalp massages.

And, after you do this treatment, do not forget to share how did you like it? 🙂

#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Supplements for hair growth?

March 13, 2015 Swati 4 Comments

Yesterday got over very quickly! was what Mr. P said right after we got up today. Well, it has not been that easy for me though. Lately I have been learning quite a lot about perspectives and that is something I have saved for some other post.

The last few weeks have actually been very trying for me, teaching me a lot of things and actually testing me as to how much can I be optimistic. So far, I would not really say I have failed but I have not passed with flying colors either. Anyways, I know I am talking cryptically and in circles.

I do not want to really explain the circumstances as it would be a long story but the last few weeks have really been hard and I am grateful that I have been able to blog almost consistently and not abandoned the blog. So, the only thing I would like to convey is that Always be prepared. Do not procrastinate. You never know what is awaiting you right in the next second!.

And, on that note, I am keeping today simple and want to write down about something I have always wanted to!

There was a time when I would look around everywhere on the net about hair growth and whether it was forum or facebook chats or any other place, the only thing I would find was people discussing about which vitamins supplements would work for them! The funny thing is that I would notice them taking the supplements without any doctor’s recommendations or prescriptions.

#1. Aim at getting Vitamins from your Diet

Try to make changes in your diet and see if your nutritional deficiency gets overcome. In most of the cases, it would happen. unless it is a major problem inside your body in which you would any way need a doctor’s intervention.

If you think you are short of some vitamin in your body, it is better to get a doctor’s advise on it. And, then, follow whatever doctor advises. Otherwise, under no circumstances should you consider taking a supplement.

#2. Excess of Vitamins can wreak havoc in your body!

If you take an overdose of any vitamin, it can be harmful instead of doing good to your body and leads to vitamin toxicity.

#3. Not all Supplements are made the Same

For example, there has been a lot of controversy on fish oils and whether they are really as effective and are they safe for consumption. So, do you research well.

#4. Every Vitamin has a different pattern of dosage

This is extremely important to know. Every vitamin I have been prescribed till day comes with some or the other dosage pattern.

Some are supposed to be taken everyday for a week. give a break of a week or month and then continuing the dosage in similar pattern for a set number of time.

Some are supposed to be taken for a month and then a gap of one month and alternating in that way.

Some have to be taken only once a week, the ones which are high in dosage!

So, you should take those vitamins in the same way only and not following those instructions would either result in over-dosage or other issues. And, for the pattern, you have to consult a doc!

#5. Supplementing your Vitamins with other Minerals

So, it is really not enough to just take your vitamins regularly. They have to be supplemented in turn with a balanced diet as well. All the nutrients work in conjunction for a healthy body. So, this goes back to the #1 point actually that try to get your vitamins with a balanced diet.

So, those are my points in justification on why you should NOT take supplements without consulting a doctor. What do you say? Do you take any supplements on self-prescription or do you prefer to consult a doctor? Or, better still, do you take a balanced diet?

#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Activity 7 – Dry Shampoo for Clean Scalp!

March 12, 2015 Swati 10 Comments

I have always said and stressed on one thing – Clean Scalp! But, washing hair everyday is a bad idea, right? Even when using the most eco-friendly and hair-friendly products! May be we should all try out a hand at dry shampoo. These days we have lots of brands coming out with this product range. But, the good part is we can make it at home and at relatively less price and with great results!

So, I have this tip from one of our readers, Nayantara. She has tried her hands at making her own dry shampoo and she has shared her recipe and experience with us!

This is probably gross, but for anyone who is active it is a huge problem, especially with longer hair.

I exercise regularly and running especially makes my scalp extremely sweaty. I do not like to wash 5-6 days a week as my hair is fine and quite fragile and still end up washing my hair 3 times a week as my scalp used to itch constantly. I believe this led to dandruff which caused severe hair-fall. To ensure my scalp stays clean everyday, here is what I do on workout days in between wash days and post-exercise.

I use the blow-dryer on cool setting to dry out my scalp, making partings along the scalp and drying them individually. Then I use my own dry shampoo consisting of cornflour, cocoa powder and cinnamon powder + a drop or 2 of rosemary EO.

The first two ingredients can be mixed in equal proportions (say ¼ cup each) and ½ to 1 tsp cinnamon powder. You can also adjust it as you like. If you have a severe dandruff problem, increase the qty of rosemary EO to about 4-5 drops, but no more, as this helps in fighting scalp infections.

While cornflour on its own works as well, on dark hair the white particles show up more prominently. My mixture blends better with dark hair colour and provides more benefits to the hair as well. It can be kept in any old talc or a similar container.

How to Use? I dust it over the scalp and then scrub it in with my fingertips, leave for a few minutes to soak up excess oil and finally shake out the excess powder and use a wooden comb to get out the rest. I prefer a comb as my hair is curly but those with straight hair may prefer a hair-brush. However, try to use one with natural bristles that don’t damage your hair. And, voila! Clean scalp, smells awesome and is all natural + economical!

This also worked for me to get rid of the dandruff problem over the long term, apart from switching to SLS free shampoos and cone-free conditioners, which can aggravate scalp infections for some people, as it upsets the natural pH balance.

This is so true. I have always cribbed that if you are exposed to more pollution and dust and sweat or even if you workout everyday, washing your hair daily is the only solution. But, now we have another solution. I have never really tried any dry shampoo but have read about it umpteen number of times.

Rice flour and arrowroot powder are two of the most recommended ingredients for dry shampoo as they absorb the oil and cleanse the scalp. Sesame at Vivawoman has also shared her recipe for dry shampoo which uses arrowroot powder, corn starch, baking powder and rice flour!

I am thinking of trying it out as well. What do you say? Are you also willing to try it out?

#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Activity 6 – How to take care of your Scalp?

March 11, 2015 Swati 10 Comments

So, I had promised you that I shall talk about scalp care but some things happened and it got delayed. Anyways, better late than never.

Just as fertile soil gives blooming plants, clean scalp helps healthy hair growth. Otherwise, it can result in weak roots, excessive hair fall, dandruff, dry scalp issues like seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis and many other such issues.

I would not really go into detail but discuss about some of the major scalp issues faced by you all (the participants) – itchy scalp, dry scalp, dandruff, weak roots, oily scalp – which we face on a daily basis. Though each of these issues deserve their own posts, I am going to provide only a general outline on each of them.

Itchy Scalp

This is something I have also been facing since sometime. This is a condition which comes and goes for me. Generally, the itch increases if I do not wash my hair once in two days at least.

Now, all the scalp issues are generally inter-linked. For example, your itchy scalp can be due to dryness or due to dandruff, in which case you have to deal with either of the issues.

Sometimes, itchy scalp can ALSO be due to the products you use. If you are using harsh products on your hair and scalp, it can lead to itchy scalp as well due to the dryness. This is one of the reason I always recommend sls-free shampoo.

And, also if your scalp is dirty, it can itch so try to wash your hair once in three days at least or even daily if you are exposed to much of pollution and dust.

Now, if your itchy scalp is not because of any particular reason, I hope you have been following the Activity of the Week regularly. Scalp massages results in production of sebum which reduces scalp dryness and helps relieve the itch.

Other ways to reduce itchiness include using cooling hair oils like Navratna or even using scalp vitalizers help. My recommendations would be Biotique Mountain Ebony or I have been using this Keo Karpin hair vitalizer but I have no idea if it is available widely. I found it in one of the supermarkets. Massaging lightly after applying them relieves the itch.

Also Read: Does your scalp get itchy?

Dry Scalp

So, as I mentioned above, itchy scalp can be due to dryness in which case you have to combat the dryness.

First – Regular scalp massage with bare finger tips also improve sebum production.

Second – Regular usage of essential oils helps curb the dryness.

Third – Regular after wash hair care routine ensures no scalp dryness.

Fourth – Use skin friendly products which are gentle enough for your scalp and hair.

These are just few tricks to curb the dryness of the scalp.

Also Read: Why Hair Tangles – Reasons and How to Avoid?

Dandruff

I have written quite a lot about dandruff! So, why dandruff really occurs is quite contradictory. It can occur when there is less oil or it can occur when there is more oil. So, whether you have oily or dry scalp, it really does not matter. And, dandruff is always more or less accompanied with hair fall and itchy scalp.

First – Tea Tree oil helps reducing dandruff so use this essential oil while massaging your scalp. Leave for 30 minutes and then wash off.

Second – Use vinegar treatment. It really works wonders for dandruff.

Also Read: How to get rid of Dandruff?

Weak Roots

The simplest reason why you might have weak roots is because of lack of proper nutrition, both internal and external. Your protein intake might be less or your scalp is not getting enough oxygen supply due to poor blood circulation or you are getting old and you have not treated your body in the right way or may be hormones! The reason can be anything.

And, weak roots can lead to hair fall and hair breakage. So, what you can do?

First – Eat proper food. Up your protein and iron intake which is the Activity of the week as well!

Second – This was a tip I got way 4-5 years back when I went for my first hair cut before embarking on serious hair growth. My hair stylist told me to use Vitamin E and evening primrose oil tablets in my hair oil to improve my hair volume. I do not really know how well it works because I did it for few days and then stopped it but no pain, no gain 😉

Also Read: Are these factors causing hair fall for you and how you can work around them?

Oily Scalp

Aah, this is something I really do not have much experience with. But, I do know a few tricks which really help oily scalp.

First – Henna controls the oil production so regular henna masks helps with oily scalp and oily hair as well.

Second – Vinegar is a great home remedy for oily scalp. Also, it works amazingly for dandruff as well.

Also Read: Shahnaz Husain Beauty Tips

So, this is just a general round up of each of the above scalp issues. But, make sure that you follow at least one of the solutions towards solving each issue. There is no healthy hair growth without healthy scalp.