- Apply warm oil to your scalp and hair once or twice a week.
- Comb your hair daily.
- Avoid chemical-based products and use natural ingredients.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Reduce stress.
Do you remember those days of childhood? After returning from school, your grandmother used to comb your tangled hair, apply a generous amount of coconut oil, and tie the hair with a red ribbon. These were the daily rituals that grandmothers followed for long and healthy hair.
But do we follow these rituals? I might say no. Because of today’s hectic world, we forget to do self-care. Rather than applying oil, we use chemical-based products in our hair. As a result, hair issues like dandruff, hair fall, white hair and more arise. We forget the value of our grandmother’s simple tips for oiling, regular combing and caring for hair with natural ingredients.
How to get healthy hair
Apply oil once or twice a week-
Hair oiling can be healthy hair tips as the benefits of hair oiling are rooted in Ayurveda. The best way to apply oil to hair is to apply warm oil on the scalp by dividing it into small sections. Then massage them in a circular motion for better penetration. Apply the rest of the oil to the hair length. Then cover them with a towel or shower cap left overnight and rinse with shampoo in the morning.
Comb hair regularly-
Combing the hair helps to remove dust, dead skin cells and pollutants. Therefore, before going to bed, people used to comb their hair. But, do you know your scalp produces natural oil (sebum)?
To distribute this natural oil in the hair length combing is the only way. Before going to bed, it is highly recommended to untangle hair with a gentle comb so that the natural oil can spread across the hair length. In this way, the hair become shiny, healthier and moisturized.
Avoid chemical-based hair products-
If you ever purchased any shampoo or conditioner by getting influenced by commercial ads, then you are not alone. The shiny, silky and flawless hair of celebrities often influenced us to purchase shampoo, conditioner, hair sprays or other products. However, do you ever consider the ingredient list on those products? If you checked even once, you might know the reality behind these products.
These products mostly are full of sulphates, parabens, silicones and more which can cause cancer. Despite this, modern culture convinces us that these chemical-based products are beneficial to us. To avoid the long-term effects, we need to use the natural ingredients that our grandmother used to apply to our oil including coconut oil, amla, neem, castor oil, fenugreek seeds and more.
Eat healthy-
Our grandmother and parents always told us to avoid junk foods, oily foods and processed snacks and we avoided their advice. Sometimes it is necessary to stay healthy from the inside and eat healthy and both are beneficial healthy hair tips. Having a meal full of vitamins, protein, minerals and antioxidants can help to get stronger and healthy hair.
Ancient rituals of hair oiling
In Indian culture, Ayurveda believes that oiling and massaging hair once or twice a week before bed promotes hair growth, helps in blood circulation and gives healthy hair. There are different types of hair that our ancestors used to apply to their hair including coconut, amla (Indian gooseberry), sesame and almond.
Greek cultures also used to nurture the hair-oiling culture through castor and almond oil to protect their hair from the harsh desert climate. Tsubaki oil, extracted from camellia japonica, has been used for decades for moisturized and shiny hair by Japanese women. In the Middle East, to prevent hair loss and strengthen hair roots, black cumin seed oil has been used. It can be found that how hair oiling has been an integrated valuable part of the healthy hair care routine across different cultures.
Food for healthy hair
There are different kinds of food for healthy hair are available in the market. It is our responsibility to choose the right one and consume them in the right quantity. Different types of food for healthy hair are-
Protein-rich foods:
Adding protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, eggs, tofu, yoghurt and legumes in the meal can help to build blocks of hair. 0.8 grams of protein per kg of body weight can be consumed per day by an adult. Like if your weight is 60 kg then you need to consume 48 grams of protein.
Iron-rich foods:
If you are facing the problem of hair loss then the reason might be iron deficiency. To fulfil this deficiency you can add red meat, spinach, lentils, chickpeas and cereals to your diet. These foods are a good source of iron. Women can intake 18 mg of iron per day whereas men can intake 8 mg of iron.
Omega-3 fatty acids:
Omega-3 fatty acids can be good food to promote better hair growth and prevent dry hair. Some sources of these foods are flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts and fatty fish, like salmon and mackerel. To gain the results of nourishing hair 250-500 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per day can be beneficial.
Vitamin-C foods:
To protect your hair from damage you need antioxidants and Vitamin-C can be helpful in this. As we know oranges and lemons are good sources of vitamin C, but berries, bell peppers and kiwi are also rich in vitamin C. Men can intake 90 mg and women can intake 75 mg of vitamin C in their daily diet.
Zinc-based foods:
To repair hair and regulate the natural oil production in hair zinc-rich foods are beneficial. Red meat, poultry, beans, oysters and nuts have been viewed as good sources of zinc-rich foods. Women have been recommended to intake 8 mg per day and men have been recommended to intake 11 mg per day of zinc.
Moreover, drinking 8-10 glasses of normal water can also be recommended to every adult to stay hydrated from within to maintain nourished and strong hair. To get the best healthy hair tips you might consult professionals.
Best things for hair
Hair oiling: Warm oil messaging once or twice a week can provide fruitful results.
Gentle washing: To maintain healthy hair you need to gently wash your hair with mild shampoo and conditioner.
Regular combing: To regulate the natural oil throughout the hair make a habit of regular hair combing before going to bed.
Avoid chemical-based products: Avoid using harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates etc. and use natural ingredients like coconut oil, neem, amla etc.
Eat healthy: Maintain a balanced diet full of protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids etc. Stay hydrated all day by drinking water.
Reduce stress: Try meditation and regular exercise for a stress-free life. It can also be helpful for healthier and nourished hair.
FAQ
1. What are the benefits of hair oiling according to Ayurveda?
In Indian culture, Ayurveda believes that oiling and massaging hair once or twice a week before bed promotes hair growth, helps in blood circulation and gives healthy hair.
2. How can I apply oil to my hair effectively?
The best way to apply oil to hair is to apply warm oil on the scalp by dividing it into small sections. Then massage them in a circular motion for better penetration. Apply the rest of the oil to the hair length. Then cover them with a towel or shower cap left overnight and rinse with shampoo in the morning.
3. What are the advantages of combing hair regularly?
To distribute this natural oil in the hair length combing is the only way. Before going to bed, it is highly recommended to untangle hair with a gentle comb so that the natural oil can spread across the hair length. In this way, the hair became shiny, healthier and moisturised.
4. Why should I avoid chemical-based hair products?
The chemical-based hair products mostly are full of sulphates, parabens, silicones and more which can cause cancer.
5. What are some natural ingredients for hair care?
To avoid the long-term effects, we need to use the natural ingredients that our grandmother used to apply to our oil including coconut oil, amla, neem, castor oil, fenugreek seeds and more.
6. How can I incorporate healthy foods into my diet for stronger hair?
There are different kinds of food for healthy hair are available in the market. It is our responsibility to choose the right one and consume them in the right quantity.
7. What are some ancient rituals of hair oiling from different cultures?
In Indian culture, Ayurveda believes that oiling and massaging hair once or twice a week before bed promotes hair growth, helps in blood circulation and gives healthy hair. Greek cultures also used to nurture the hair-oiling culture through castor and almond oil to protect their hair from the harsh desert climate.
