Some of the causes of dry hair are:

• Hard Water
• Winter Weather and Dry Winds
• Poor Diet and Nutrition
• Friction (rubbing)
• Drugs and Medication
• Shampoo and Build up of Products
• Wrong products for your hair type
• Excessive Blow drying
• Chemicals
• Central Heating

Hard water is a particularly bad culprit because over time calcium builds up in the hair causing the hair to become dry and brittle. Using a clarifying shampoo and investing in a shower filter can really make a huge difference to the condition of your hair.
Constant rubbing of the hair against winter hats or cotton pillowcases can really take it’s toll on the hair and make the cuticles become rough and cause tangles. Wearing a satin or silk scarf when out in the weather or using a satin pillow case when sleeping can really help to keep the hair looking smooth.

 When our diet is deficient of valuable vitamins and nutrients, our hair may become dry and lackluster. Adding important fish oils or olive oil to your diet and can reduce dryness tremendously.

 Your shampoo and hair products can also be a problem, if your shampoo contains too many chemicals and artificial ingredients, instead of natural plant based products, these can strip the natural oils out of the hair. Also, a buildup of products on the hair can cause it to become brittle and dry like spaghetti. Using products that are not suitable for your hair type can either dry your hair or weigh it down depending on your hair type.  Also, using certain types of alcohol on the hair can cause your hair to dry out. Watch out for hair gels and serums containing alcohol.

Blowdrying the hair too often can not only damage it, but it can cause the hair to become really dry and brittle by raising the hair cuticle. Best thing to do is use a good heat protectant for the hair and always condition well before using the blowdryer. Allowing the hair to air dry or using a hooded dryer with rollers or curlers could be another option.

For swimmers, chlorine and salt water can wreak havoc on healthy hair. If you swim a lot, don’t forget to rinse or shampoo your hair once you have finished swimming.
While we all love to keep warm and toasty in the winter, having the central heating on full blast in the winter can also take its toll on the skin and hair. Using a humidifier or boiling water on the stove can help a little to add some moisture to the air, and keep hair and skin from drying out. Remember to drink lots of water to replenish lost fluids from your body.

 Narrowing down the culprit to what’s robbing your hair of healthy and length is the first step in correcting the problem. Although, there are many other reasons that may cause hair dryness, this lists shares some of the most common.

Adding oil to wet or damp hair works well to seal in the moisture. Jojoba oil, Coconut oil and Olive oil are suitable for all hair types. Coconut oil helps to keep the hair soft and Jojoba oil is very close to the natural oil (sebum), which the body produces naturally, and works for all hair types; it is an especially effective conditioner for hair that is extremely damaged or tangles easily.  If you prefer heavier oil, olive oil is more suitable, and renowned for its moisturizing and reparative properties.

Whether mixed in with your favorite conditioner or used in steam treatments, after a few oil treatments you will surely notice a considerable difference in the appearance and texture of your hair, your hair will be very shiny and soft. It also helps to alleviate breakage caused by dryness and brittleness.

Oiling the hair after shampoo and conditioner will also help to lock in moisture. When oil is applied to wet or damp hair, once dry, the hair will retain oil but will not be too greasy. If you apply the oil to dry hair, the oil may just sit on top of the hair shaft, so applying it to wet or damp hair helps it to retain moisture and will keep the hair softer longer.

While I regularly use olive oil and pure coconut oil in my hair regimen, two of my favorite Indian oil treatments are listed below:

Dabur Vatika – It is made primarily from coconut oil and contains lemon, rosemary, amla, henna and neem. It helps to increase the hair’s shine and softness, and combat dandruff. It also has antibacterial properties to keep scalp and hair follicles healthy. This one is a great oil to apply to the hair after shampooing and works great with a hair steamer. It also works great as a hot oil treatment.

Dabur Amla – This oil contains Indian Gooseberry (amla), and is great for darkening the hair. So, if you like the darker look on your hair, regular use of this oil will help you to achieve it. It helps to reduce split ends and minor hair loss. You apply it onto your hair and leave it on for a few hours or overnight and then shampoo it out. Although it does not smell great, it does really help to darken the hair with regular use.

All oils are not created equally, so choose the oil that works best for your hair type and expect to see incredible results over time.

1. Mix 2 egg yolks (depending on length of your hair) with 2 tsp castor oil. Massage this mixture into your hair. Keep it for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to avoid “cooking” the eggs in your hair.
2. Whip up two raw eggs. Massage this mixture into your hair. Let it dry; shampoo your hair and then follow with a vinegar and water rinse.
3. Mix egg yolk in 1/4 cup of plain yogurt. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and apply it root to tip. After applying, keep it for 10 minutes and then wash it off.
4. Beat egg yolk till frothy. Add 1/2 tsp olive oil and beat the mixture again. Slowly add 3/4 cup of lukewarm water. After shampooing, massage mixture in and leave it for 15-30 minutes; then rinse.
5. Mix together 1 tbsp honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 tsp almond oil and 1 tbsp yogurt. Make a frothy paste and apply it on your hair. Rinse it after 30 minutes.

Incorporating any of these wonderful recipes into your hair regimen is sure to yield excellent results. Get gorgeous hair without breaking the bank!

Extreme caution must also be used when performing chemical services such as hair color, both semi-permanent and demi-permanent, on overly porous hair to prevent damage. Haircolor will take much more quickly and strongly in overly porous hair. And relaxers, perms and thermal straighteners will process much faster in high-porosity hair as well.

Test Your Hair:

Take a few strands of “harvested” hair (shed hair from your comb, hair brush will do)and place them in a bowl of water. If the hair sinks in less than a minute or two, it is porous. The sooner your hair sinks, the more porous it is. If only one part of the strand sinks, you have a partial porosity problem. This is, actually, quite common.

Find Your Solution:

Protein Treatments

The best, and perhaps easiest, way to patch up damaged cuticle layers is simply through light protein conditioning. Protein fills in gaps, binds to damaged places, and mends individual exterior scales along the cuticle. Regular protein conditioning improves the hair’s porosity by reinforcing the cuticle layers and allowing the hair shaft to better hold on to the moisture it is given. Opt for products with wheat, silk, and collagen protein, as they are good for strengthening and repairing the cuticle without leaving the hair too crunchy. Remember, nothing can PERMANENTLY repair hair that is damaged, but treatments can help fortify the weak spots.

Acidic Rinses

Go cheap! A weekly acidic rinse with apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a common home remedy for treating porous hair. Simply combine 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of cool water. Poor this mixture over the hair as a final rinse after shampooing and conditioning are complete. Rinse thoroughly in cool water. This acidic rinse will temporarily reduce porosity by constricting the cuticle scales. The ACV rinse will also enhance your hair’s shine, eliminate tangles, and increase manageability.

Product Recommendation

Roux Porosity Control Shampoo and Conditioner. These products claim to cleanse, moisturize and condition – without oily buildup, delivers maximum conditioning to damaged or porous areas, moisturize and add new elasticity, body and shine, and help colored or relaxed hair stay fresh, lustrous and vibrant.

Deep conditioning on dry hair does seem to offer many benefits towards achieving healthier hair; all while simplifying your hair care routine. Although using this method will call for using significantly more product; its benefits seem undeniable. Many women may, actually, be doing this unknowingly. In another, now becoming, common practice, women use conditioner only to “wash” their hair. During that process many women apply conditioner to hair for30 minutes to an hour before rinsing. This practice is very similar to deep conditioning on dry hair, with the exception of applying heat from a hooded dryer or warm, moist towel.

Deep conditioners are valuable, because they penetrate, hydrate and revitalize hair, making it smoother, softer and more manageable. Many people don’t know that botanical extracts, such as jojoba, or coconut and avocado oils, also can be used to deep condition on dry hair. Many compare the process of deep conditioning on dry hair to the effectiveness of a sponge. When a dry sponge is used to soak up moisture, it draws in more than when it is fully soaked. So then the concept is by allowing the conditioner to “fill” all the deficient areas of your hair with moisturizing and strengthening extracts FIRST, the hair is getting a “deeper”, more penetrating conditioning. Though water provides optimal moisture, it does nothing for the conditioning of the hair.

Many women, who are strapped for time during the week, find this method the best for keeping their hair and hectic schedules more balanced. Deep conditioning on dry hair is not a mad science either; simply saturate your hair with your favorite moisturizing or strengthening deep conditioner and apply heat. No time for a dryer? We recommend putting in the deep conditioner, covering it with a plastic cap and/or hat and going out for a jog or walk, gardening, cleaning, etc. Your body heat will give the conditioner the extra boost it needs to make the hair feel softer and bouncier. After that, just shampoo and style! Give it a try! You just might love your results too! But, if you still don’t think deep conditioning on dry hair is for you, try it as a pre-treatment to help protect your hair from the harsh detergents found in most shampoos. Apply your favorite drug store brand conditioner for 15 to 30 minutes before you shampoo

The state of your skin and hair is a pretty accurate indicator of whether or not you’re healthy and getting your fill of nutrients. When we’re unwell or unhealthy, our hair becomes fragile, dry and brittle, and can even fall out. What you eat can make a difference. Add these foods to your diet for healthy, shiny hair.

It’s all about balance when it comes to optimal nutrition for maintaining healthy hair. You need a mixture of protein, complex carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals. But if you consume too much of any one thing, particularly certain vitamins and minerals, you can create problems with hair growth. Superfoods provide exceptionally high concentrations of all essential nutrients – much higher than many other foods. Examples of green superfoods include algae, chlorella, barley grass, wheat grass, spinach and alfalfa.

Chlorella has been touted as the perfect whole food. Chlorella is a blue-green algae packed with protein. In fact, chlorella is 60% protein and also contains a good amount of beta-carotene. Chlorella’s exceptional high concentration of vital nutrients makes it ideal as a beauty aid. It improves complexion, strengthens nails and activates hair growth. Taken regularly, Chlorella restores the body’s natural inner balance to reduce appetite and promote weight loss. The best chlorella comes from Japan.

Spirulina
Spirulina is a blue-green algae that has been living on the planet for 3.6 billion years. Spirulina is, also, 60% protein, but contains only half the amount of chlorophyll as chlorella. Spirulina also has the highest level of beta-carotene. It is rich in Vitamin B12 and iron, this chlorophyll-rich food contains essential fatty acids, including GLA.

Kelp is a type of seaweed that is a rich source of vitamins, especially the B Vitamins, as well as of many valuable minerals. It is reported to be very beneficial to brain tissue, the membranes surrounding the brain, the sensory nerves, and the spinal cord as well as the nails and blood vessels. It has been used in the treatment of conditions such as hair loss, obesity and ulcers.

Alfalfa
This legume (bean family plant) has been prized as one of the most nourishing foods available. Its roots travel deep into the earth, capturing vital nutrients from the soil. This green food contains abundant chlorophyll and carotenes, as well as vitamins D, E, K, and the B complex. It also contains protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, trace minerals, and essential fatty acids.

Wheatgrass is a popular green food that contains a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals and is not toxic in any amount. It creates an unfavorable environment for bacteria to grow, making it an effective healer. Wheatgrass is rich in proteins and contains all 17 amino acids. Enzymes and amino acids are responsible for renewing cells, creating hormones and building muscles, blood and human organs.

So give your hair what it needs to thrive, by adding one or more of these powerful superfoods to your diet!

]]> http://hairfinity.wordpress.com/2009/04/25/the-top-5-green-%e2%80%9csuperfoods%e2%80%9d-for-your-healthiest-hair/feed/ 0 hairfinity http://hairfinity.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/hello-world/ http://hairfinity.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/hello-world/#comments Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:01:31 +0000 hairfinity ]]> Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!