Home Remedies to Fight Hair Loss

Every year you may spend a fortune on products for your hair. Your crowning glory can either help your image or hurt it, so you usually do not mind spending a little extra. After all, you are worth it! But sometimes no matter what you seem to do, you notice that your hair is getting thinner and more fragile. It may be because you blow dry it, dye it, wash it often, or it may be a result of an internal problem.

Hair is basically made up of keratin which is a strong protein. Your nails likewise are also made of keratin. The condition of your hair is affected by what you eat and by what you put on your hair. Also, if your blood supply does not deliver the seventeen amino acids which make up keratin, it will lose its bounce, the ends will split and it will become either dry or greasy.

You may think that if you spend more money for a product, it will make your hair have more shine and will look healthier. Not necessarily. It is best to use mild or gentle shampoos and treatments without too many extra ingredients. It will be less likely to strip the hair. Conditioners should always include proteins.

Keep in mind that the life of a natural hair is between two and seven years. When this happens, the hair detaches from the follice and a new hair begins to grow in its place. If you are in ill-health, malnourished, or experiencing stress, it can take longer for the new hair to replace the old one so the hair begins to thin.

Natural Rinse for Normal Hair

Cider vinegar is the best natural rinse that you can add to your final rinse water.

For normal hair, you can mix 2 teaspoons of cider vinegar and three drops of lemon oil to one ounce of water to use in the final water to rinse your hair.

Beer is not only for drinking. Beer coats the hair and contains proteins which help to protect it from damage. Any old beer will do. Take one ounce of beer, four drops of lemon oil and 5 drops of rosemary oil and add this to the final water to rinse your hair.

As strange as it may seem, vodka stimulates the scalp and has been extremely effective for men's hair growth.

If you have dry hair, you probably do not have enough sebum being produced by the sebaceous glands to provide the hair with a protective lubricant. This can result in damaged, tangled, split and broken hair. Chlorine, too much sun, bleaching and tinting aggravate the condition. Jojoba is a very good oil which is often added to hair products.

Rinse for Dry Hair

Mix one teaspoon of cider vinegar to a cup of boiled water and then add this to a bowl of water that you will use as your final rinse.

Dandruff responds well to treatment with the vinegar rinse.

Beware of synethic products including Lauramide dea which is added to shampoo to build up a later but drys the hair and can cause scalp itching and dermatitis. Another is Oleyl betaine which is a synthetic use to reduce static but it causes dandruff, dry hair and scalp. Beware of Sodium lauryl sulfate, Sodium cetyl sulfate and Sodium laureth sulfate. These are synthetics that can cause all kinds of allergic reactions, hair loss, dry flaky scalp or skin rashes.

One key to beautiful hair is to eat plenty of fresh food, cut down on stimulants like alcohol, coffee, and tea, get sufficient sleep and stick with unsaturated fatty acids in your diet.

Salmon packs a beauty punch. It is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids which support scalp health. Salmon is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron.

Are you vegetarian? Include 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed with your food for plant-based omega-3 fats.

Spinach, broccoli and Swiss chard are excellent sources of vitamins A and C which helps your body produce sebu. This oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner. Iron and calcium can also be acquired through dark green vegetables.

Lentils, kidney beans and other legumes are part of a hair-care diet. They provide protein to promote hair growth as well as zinc, iron and biotin.

Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid which is an omega-3 fatty acid that helps to condition your hair. Brazil nuts are one of Mother nature's best sources of seleniu, which is an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Zinc can also be acquired through eating cashews, pecans and almonds. If you do not have enough zinc you may shed hair. Make sure nuts are a regular part of your hair-care diet.

If you do not have enough protein in your diet, your hair will become weak and brittle. Chicken and turkey contain protein which is easily absorbed.

Eggs contain vitamin B-12 and biotin, which are important beauty nutrients.

Make sure to get your daily dose of whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals. They contain healthy doses of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

Low-fat dairy products like yogurt and skim milk are great sources of calcium required for hair growth. They also contain casein and whey which are two high-quality protein sources.

Since a healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, you'd be wise to include carrots in your diet as snacks or toppings on your salad. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A which promotes a healthy scalp.