If frizz has you feeling frustrated, or your locks are looking more like straw than hair, take solace: There are ways to strengthen and revitalize your damaged hair without hacking it off or resorting to a wig. Follow some healthy living tips and protect your hair, so you can give your locks a boost of luster and a shot of good health.
Background
Hair is composed of keratin, a type of protein that grows from the hair follicle. Blood vessels deliver nutrients to the hair follicle, which pushes hair out from the scalp. Once hair reaches beyond the scalp, it is no longer living. Damaged hair often looks dry, brittle and frizzy, as it is characterized by split ends and a lack of moisture. There are a variety of reasons hair becomes damaged, including environmental factors and your body's health.
Hair Nutrition
A diet lacking in nutrients can harm your hair, slowing growth and repair. Eat a balanced diet, using the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid for suggestions. To keep your hair healthy, eat sufficient amounts of protein, which is the main ingredient in hair.Get protein from beans, nuts, meat, poultry, soy and fish. Vitamins can help your hair stay healthy as well, as many offer antioxidants that protect hair from environmental damage from the sun and pollution.
Vitamins
Vitamins that can improve your hair health include include B vitamins, such as folate, biotin and inositol; vitamin A; and vitamin C. Foods that are rich in B vitamins include beans, peas, carrots, cauliflower, soy beans, lentils, oats, soybeans, nutritional yeast, bran, nuts and eggs. Foods with vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, spinach, greens and red bell peppers. Many foods contain vitamin C, including oranges, berries, cauliflower, broccoli, lemons and spinach. You can also take hair vitamins, which offer hair-healthy nutrients and are available at most beauty stores.
Styling Solutions
Certain styling practices can cause your hair to become damaged. Heat styling is particularly drying to hair, causing loss of moisture, split ends and breakage. Avoid heat styling whenever possible by setting your blow dryer on a cool setting and refraining from straightening or curling your hair regularly. Use protective products designed for damaged hair, such as moisturizing conditioners and shampoos. Spray a leave-in conditioner in your hair before styling to help protect it. Repair your hair by using an intense conditioning treatment once a week.
Sun Damage
The sun can be damaging to hair, causing it to become dry, split and frizzy. Keep your hair shielded from the elements by using a shampoo with a sunscreen and avoiding sun exposure when possible. Wear a hat when outside, and after a day out in the elements, replace moisture in your hair by using an intense conditioning treatment.
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