Hair is one of the defining characteristics of human beings, and each one gives utmost care to keep the mane a head above the rest. Some like short hair while others long, but whether it’s short or long, everyone needs thick, smooth and shiny black hair. Dr Pretty Prabhakaran shares tips on how to keep one’s hair healthy.

 Hair is a derivative of the epidermis and consists of two distinct parts, the follicle and hair shaft. Follicle is the living part located under the skin surface and hair shaft is the keratinized non-living part above the skin surface. Hair is made up of tough protein keratin and is anchored to the hair follicle. The blood vessels nourish the cells in the bulb. Hair follows a specific growth pattern and the hair cycle consists of anagen(growth), catagen(regression), telogen(rest), and exogen(shedding) phases.

Hair fall, dandruff, loss of thickness, split ends and premature graying are the most common problems people face these days. Healthy hair is the combination of healthy scalp and strong thick hair. The care is mainly based on the type and texture of hair. Physiologically, hair will shed at a rate of 60-80 per day. Hair fall above this can be considered abnormal. For any hair related issues, one should first understand the specific cause behind the problem and its nature, then only we can avail a proper cure.

Common Cause of hair fall

Improper diet

Stress and loss of sleep

Hormonal imbalance

Age & hereditary

Scalp infections

Over use of chemical hair products

 Identify the nature hair

Thick/thin hair

Dry/oil hair

Weak/strong hair

For healthy hair, we have to ensure the following five measures: -

Hygiene

Healthy diet

Avoid stress & follow proper sleep

Hydrate yourself

Management of associated disease

Wash and oil hair regularly

Usage of hot water for regular hair wash is not advisable. It will damage your hair and affect eyes and other sense organs. Ayurveda always recommends usage of normal cold water above the shoulder level. Application of medicated oil like coconut oil with Bhringaraj (eclipta alba), Kumari (Aloe barbadensis), Kaidarya (curry leaves) etc. also will help to nourish the hair root and scalp. Apply lukewarm oil (by placing on hot water) in the finger tips and massage the hair root and allow it to absorb for 15-20 minutes. Wash the hair and remove excess oil.

Use homemade chemical free shampoo to remove dirt & oil

Aloe Vera gel or hibiscus flower/leaf paste can be used as natural shampoo for removing excess oil and dirt.

Dry hair properly and then tie your hair

After taking a hair bath allow your hair to dry naturally.  Usage of hair drier will damage and increase the chances of breakage. Tying wet hair cause infection

Use a wide toothed comb to brush

Usage of wide toothed comb reduces the chances of breakage

Healthy diet

Incorporate a diet including vitamins and minerals (iron, zinc, magnesium). Important vitamins which help hair growth are Vitamin B complex, E, A and D.

Vitamin B-complex

Mushroom

Egg

Nuts

Dairy products

Vitamin A

Goose berry

Carrot

Beans

Green leafy vegetables

Vitamin E

Vit E capsule – apply in scalp

Nuts – almonds, peanuts

Vegetable oil- sunflower oil, soybean oil

Vitamin C

Lemon

Oranges

Broccoli

Vitamin D

Fish like tuna, salmon

Egg yolks

Cheese

Soy milk

Exposure to sunlight

Avoid stress and sleep properly

Studies have proven that mental and emotional stress will increase the early onset of graying. A minimum six-hour sleep is mandatory.

Practice Yoga and meditation

Hydration

Hydrate yourself. Healthy skin and hair are mainly the output of a hydrated body. Dehydration results in dry skin and scalp which will further aggregate the condition.

Management of associated illness

Hair fall sometimes may be an associated symptom of diseases like Iron deficiency Anemia, Hyperthyroidism, Cancer and after effect of radiation etc. If we treat the main disease, the hair fall will subside automatically.

Home remedies for common hair related issues

Dandruff – too dry and too oily scalp results in conditions like dandruff. Symptoms like scaling and itchiness are common problems. Medicated oils like durdurapatradi taila (with medical advice) and application of onion juice will help get rid of the problem.

Split ends – Apply lemon juice on split ends, wash hair with balloon vine (Cardiospermum Halicacabum) cooked water

Premature graying – kaidarya (curry leaves) medicated oil

Itchy scalp – Eladigana choorna application (with medical advice), wash hair with triphala kashayam

Alopecia – Tulsi paste or onion and honey paste application and wash hair with triphala kashayam

In short, healthy hair is the outcome of healthy lifestyle and diet. We have to spend a minimum of five minutes on our hair daily to improve the quality and quantity of the same. After all, strong thick black hair boosts one’s happiness and confidence.