If you’ve neglected your mane and it’s starting to show in its lack of shine or ragged appearance, the situation can easily be reversed with just a few minor changes to your diet and lifestyle.
The appearance of our hair is a good indicator of our internal health. There’s nothing new in this; farmers throughout history have used the sheen of their animals’ coats to check the health of their livestock. Here’s how you can make sure your hair is your crowning glory.
The very least you can do for your hair is invest in a trim every six weeks and use the best shampoo and conditioner you can afford. What makes for a good shampoo is a matter of opinion, but hairdressers by and large recommend that you buy direct from a salon. That way, your hairdresser can select the right product for your hair from their salon’s range. Plus, as these bottles are more concentrated than your average high street bottle, they’ll go further, and many hairdressers will offer discounts if you bring in your old bottles for refilling. It’s good to invest in a weekly conditioning treatment or hair mask too – this can really help hair that’s straightened or blow dried every day.
The very most you can do for your hair in addition is fill your plate with follicle-boosting ingredients, which not only encourage a good-looking mane, but can also boost growth or even clear up problems like dandruff.
For general hair health, up your intake of protein. Remember that hair itself is 98% protein, so feed it with lean meat, eggs, nuts and fish and it will thrive. Starting each morning with a powdered protein drink is a great way to wake up your follicles. Oily fish are also essential to hair and all-round health. Two portions of salmon, tuna or mackerel each week will produce real benefits.
Hair strength supplements from the health food shop can help, but they usually just contain the range of vitamins needed for healthy hair which you can get just as easily from the right nutritional intake. So it’s worth brushing up on your ABCs (and your Es and Ks) Great for hair health are:
Vitamin A: Carrots – raw, cooked or juiced – are fantastic for your hair. Sweet potatoes are another good source of vitamin A.
Vitamin B: Chew on green vegetables like beans and peas, and scatter sunflower seeds over a salad.
Vitamin C: Fill up on citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, melons and berries) as well as Brussels sprouts, red peppers, cauliflower, tomatoes and cucumber.
Vitamin E: Food rich in this vitamin are great for your heart, but also provide benefits for growing vibrant hair. Up your intake of avocados, whole grains and dark green vegetables (spinach, for example).
Vitamin K: You hair will thank you, and so will your bones, teeth and muscles, for more asparagus, lettuce, cabbage, eggs, soybeans and yoghurt.
Your hair also needs a combination of iron (eggs, fish, oysters, meat and green leaf vegetables), magnesium (dairy, red meat and whole grains) and potassium (bananas) and plenty of water to flush out toxins and avoid dehydration.
Good supplements for hair strength are evening primrose oil, zinc, magnesium, iron and multi-vitamins, but are no substitute for a great diet. Applying food directly to the follicles can also work wonders for problem hair. See opposite.
Check out hair care video tips from the 10 Years Younger hair stylist.
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites.
Weak hair: Chamomile helps strengthen weak hair. Drink it as tea or even pour a mug over your head after your final rinse.
Dry hair: Most deep conditioning treatments contain alcohol – the very thing that can dry hair out. For a home-made food treatment for dry, itchy or flaky hair and scalp, work a jar of mayonnaise into the length of your hair, massaging gently into the scalp and roots. Pile your hair on top of your head and wrap in cling film. Heat a towel and wrap that too around your head. Leave on for ten minutes, remove, rinse and shampoo. Repeat once a month for a cholesterol boost for your hair, helping to keep it soft and shiny.
Oily hair: Pour some cornstarch in a dish and using a brush apply all over the scalp and roots. Use a comb to make partings, ensure you cover the scalp with the cornstarch. Leave to soak up the oil for ten minutes, before brushing out the flakes.
Coloured hair: If your natural colour or colour treatment starts to fade and look drab, a few essential garden ingredients will brighten you up in no time. Heat up some water and sprinkle in a handful of the following ingredients, depending on your colour: brunettes add fresh rosemary sprigs, blondes add dried chamomile, red heads use chopped carrot or beetroot. Shampoo, rinse then rinse again with the solution, before rinsing once more with cold water. Repeat once a month.
Over styled hair: If you regularly blow dry, style with products or live in a polluted city, the chances are your hair could be suffering with build-up, which can make it appear dull and lacklustre. Remove build-up add a few tablespoons of table vinegar to your final rinse. Finish by rinsing with cold water.
