Factors affecting hair

Diet and lifestyle are two leading factors that affect the health of your hair. Poor diet, illness and deficiencies of any particular vitamin and mineral affects the quality of hair and problems like dandruff, thinning hair, balding, premature graying etc. spoil the hair.

A regular wash gives the required bounce and shine to your hair and keeps dandruff away.

Get regular trims, at least 1/2 inch every four to eight weeks.

Oil massage soothes your hair and scalp, while making the skin on your head active. Massages help in relieving all kinds of pressures, and make the body parts function properly again. It boosts blood circulation of the body.

Do not follow the old rule of 100 brush strokes a day that damages hair. Instead, use wide toothed combs and brushes with smooth tips.

Try to avoid curling irons and hair-dryers to prevent hair damage. Also, avoid heat and prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Hair requires moisture in the scalp for it to grow healthily. Drink at least 10 glasses of water per day.

Stress also plays an important part in hair loss, especially in women's hair loss.

Only oiling, shampooing and conditioning doesn't doesn't make your hair healthy. An overall balanced diet consisting of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish like salmon and low-fat dairy is needed to have hair healthy.

Having inadequate protein or iron in your diet or poor nourishment in other ways can cause you to experience hair loss. Eating plenty of raw fruits and vegetables is the best way to achieve healthy hair.

Hair follicles are made of protein. Therefore, it is advisable to eat a diet rich in protein. Have cheese, eggs, almond, beans sprouts, fish, seafood and yogurt.

A diet containing whole grains, including whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals is a great for a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

Eggs are one of the best sources of protein and thus, really good for your hair. They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.

Chicken provides protein that will help give you the healthy hair you crave for.

A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.

Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health and therefore, salmon, which is loaded with with omega-3 fatty acids is really good for your hair.

Dark green vegetables like spinach and broccoli are excellent sources of iron, vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. Sebum is the oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, which works as body's natural hair conditioner.

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp.

Low-fat dairy products like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth