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.