Weak, brittle hair is at risk for breakage, frizz and serious lack of shine. There are plenty of factors that can contribute to fragile hair, ranging from the environment and age to diet and care habits. And just as there are many ways to weaken hair, there are plenty of ways to restore its health and grow stronger hair that looks and feels great. There is even a bonus: several of the habits that will increase your hair's health will also have a positive effect on your overall health, too.
Step 1
Get plenty of protein in your diet from foods, such as eggs, lean meats and legumes. Keratin, which makes up the majority of your hair, is a protein so the more protein your diet includes, the more keratin your body will have to build strong hair.
Step 2
Eat more zinc, since this essential mineral plays a role in helping cells divide for healthy hair growth. Get zinc from lean beef and pork, oysters or zinc-fortified cereals.
Step 3
Choose foods rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, squash or cantaloupe. Your body breaks beta-carotene down into Vitamin A which helps clear away dead hair cells and promote the growth of new cells, adding up to stronger hair.
Step 4
Include plenty of iron-rich foods, like spinach and chicken, in your diet. Iron carries oxygen in red blood cells through the body, including the hair follicles. An ample supply of oxygen means stronger, healthier hair.
Step 5
Eat foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats that help keep your hair and your scalp strong and moisturized. Get Omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish, like tuna or salmon, or from flaxseed.
Step 6
Try a hair treatment with eucalyptus extract. "Elle" magazine cites a Japanese study that found two weeks of regular eucalyptus extract application added up to stronger, healthier hair for the testers.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep in mind that thick hair doesn't necessarily equal healthy hair. You can have naturally fine hair that is perfectly strong and healthy.
- If you're on a diet, be sure you keep your meals balanced to maintain healthy hair. Some fad diets cut out nutrients that are essential for strong, healthy hair.
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