Hair to stay
December 2007
By Megha Bajaj
It’s scary to see hair everywhere, except on the head. here is how you can let your crowning glory remain thick, beautiful and lustrous: now and ever
It’s a wonderful feeling to see beautiful hair… on the head. If the same hair is on the comb, in the bathroom or on the pillow, a sick feeling engulfs us. Our hair is not only an important aspect of our appearance, it also provides protection to the head, and moreover, acts as a barometer for the general health of an individual. So when we lose hair, we start losing heart. Luckily, we live in an era where, along with large leaps in modern technology, we are witnessing a return to traditional wisdom. This unique combination brings you two kinds of solutions for your hair problems: contemporary and ancient. So stop twirling those thinning tresses nervously, erase images of bald spots from your mind, and read on to understand your hair, and its care.
Structure of the Hair
Each hair has a root which is called the bulb, and the body which is called the shaft. The root has a small tail which hooks itself to the blood supply below the scalp, and provides the hair with oxygen and nutrition. Hair grows from a small opening called the hair follicle. Hair problems are caused when either the bulb or the body gets damaged. Of course, treatment of shaft damage, which is more superficial, is easier than treatment of the bulb. However, there are some heads of hair that are damaged in both parts. The causes of hair loss are as follows:
• Lack of oiling (scalp conditioning), dandruff, mineral deficiencies, keratin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, stress, viral fevers, medication, birth control pill, anemia
Hair is your body’s health barometer. A healthy body produces healthy hair. In fact, hair is the second fastest growing organ in the human anatomy after the bone marrow, and it grows at the rate of half an inch a month. Hair problems are the first signs that something is wrong with you internally. Hair loss is indicative of many underlying diseases. These are: thyroid problem, Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, deficiency/ imbalanced diet, chronic stress, and exposure to toxins.
Prevention of Hair loss and Baldness
Yoga: Yoga postures can indirectly aid in keeping hair healthy. Inverted postures like downward-facing dog, standing forward bend, shoulder stand, headstand, camel pose, cobra pose and cow pose are believed to help keep hair healthy as they make blood rush to the head region, stimulating hair glands. However, avoid these asanas if you have heart problems, or high blood pressure. Also since stress is one of the reasons for hair fall, regular pranayama which helps in relaxation, can improve the overall health and thereby hair quality and quantity.
Exercise: Exercise is another important choice you need to make for preventing hair loss. Getting exercise is good for you as it improves blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body, including the scalp. The glands in the scalp get stimulated when you sweat, and thereby give you better hair growth.
Diet: Anjali Mukherjee, the famous Mumbai-based nutritionist, says, “Healthy hair can be maintained by consuming a diet rich in proteins and iron like eggs, leafy vegetables, soy bean, fish, raw vegetables, fruits, nuts, pulses, curd, whole grain cereals like naachini, jowar, whole wheat.” She further states that high consumption of alcohol, coffee, tobacco, high fat meals, sugars and processed foods are not recommended. Also, she adds that taking vitamin B and calcium supplements along with antioxidants like vitamins A, C, E, selenium, and zinc is helpful in preventing hair fall.
Ayurveda: Sanjay Lele, the Ayurveda expert for India times website, advises against exposing oneself to extremes of climate. Other tips: controlling one’s emotions, avoiding spicy, salty and heavy food, and dining before 8 pm, so one retires for the day with a feeling of lightness as sleep relaxes one’s scalp and rejuvenates it. He also suggests that hair should never be washed with hot water, but always with water at room temperature. Further, simple coconut oil should be used for the scalp but it is not to be applied vigorously. Finally, mahatikta ghrut or shatavari ghrut, Ayurvedic herbs for beautiful hair, may be taken internally.
Hair expert: Ms Bhavna Soni is a hair expert based in Mumbai who goes personally to client’s house for a nominal fee to advice on hair care; she gives the client a revitalizing head massage followed by steam for improved blood circulation, and finally shows them how to make and apply a natural pack which rejuvenates the hair. She shares, “Hair needs to be washed twice a week and conditioner is compulsory. However, care needs to be taken that the conditioner is applied only to the hair tips and not to the scalp, else one can develop dandruff which makes hair fall.” She adds that wet hair needs to be towel dried. And one should preferably use a comb and not a brush, because although the latter smoothens the hair better, it does not stimulate glands like a comb does.
The above-mentioned solutions take care of the inside of your hair (which is more important) and therefore taking care of the look of your hair becomes easy. Selection of the shampoo, conditioner, sprays, gels, colors, and oils should be more relevant to your hair type than your mind type.
Cure for Baldness
Trichology centres: Trichology is the scientific study of hair and scalp, and is gaining popularity as more people become discontent with their hair. Richfeel is one such popular centre. For hair loss, Richfeel experts first conduct a hair analysis and scalp analysis for the client. Hair analysis is the scientific method to find out whether one suffers from hair loss or not. It also indicates whether you are eating properly or not and also whether the body is assimilating a protein called keratin, important for hair growth. Scalp analysis is very interesting because for the first time this method uses a machine that can actually tell you the exact volume and density of your hair, and also the exact number of hair follicles. Once the results of these tests are out, experts decide what the treatment should be from among options like aromatherapy, manual lymph drainage, tricho-massage, low power laser, tricho scalp treatment, infrared and ultraviolet treatments. Within three to six months, these experts can give you the kind of hair that you only dreamt of, but never believed could have.
So there, you see there is so much you can do for your hair. Once you have that desired thick mane you can go in for chic new styles which you can carry off with a new found confidence. The only place your hair will fall off from will be your worry list!
CONTACT:
Anjali Mukherji: anjali@health-total.com
Sanjay Lele: http://health.indiatimes.com
Bhavna Soni: 9867958896
Richfeel: www.richfeel.com
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article.
Mail us at editor@lifepositive.net
EGGS
Beat two eggs and add two tablespoons of water to it. Wet the hair and apply the egg mixture over the hair. Now massage your scalp, and let the mixture on for 10 minutes to 15 minutes. Then rinse the hair with lukewarm water.
AMLA
Regular massage of fresh amla mashed to a paste will do wonders. The application of this paste will improve the colour of the hair (delay the process of greying), prevent your hair from falling, and moreover have a cooling effect on the entire system.
BANANAS
Dyed hair gets affected easily by the cold winter weather. Hair becomes dry and looks dull, the ends tend to split resulting in loss of hair. To prevent this you need special hair conditioners. `Banana Pack’ is one such conditioner.
To make this you need: