Hair worn out and frazzled from the demands of modern life? One too many nights out on the hairspray and styling products? It’s time to detox your hair
Ditch your straighteners
The first thing to cut out of your hair’s diet is the daily straighteners. These magic wands may make your locks look lovely, but extreme heat is a hair care no no – causing untold damage to the hair shaft, weakening it and causing breakage. Tresses begin to look puffy and dull, which triggers the urge to straighten further. It’s a vicious circle.
Stop now, step away from the straighteners and turn instead to avocados; the oil moisturises the scalp and promotes strong, healthy hair growth. For a shiny hair pick-me-up, mash the flesh of one or two whole fruits (depending on length), and massage into your scalp through to the ends.
Avocado is packed full of amino acids and vitamins, which your hair will soak up. Wrap in a towel, then wash off after an hour – et voila! Soft, shiny hair be mine.
Trim and detox
There’s no quicker way to anti-age your hair and make it look healthy than a quick trim of all the split ends.
Dull, lifeless hair is often caused by product build-up, so once you’ve had a good cut, use a cleansing shampoo designed to remove residue, only the smallest blob of conditioner, then leave hair au naturel, and treat this as day zero for your mane.
Clean up your diet
Your tresses reflect your overall health – if you’re not eating the right nutrients, neither is your barnet.A lack of protein can cause your hair to stop growing, as your body shifts follicles into the “resting” stage to conserve this nutrient. Tuck into protein-rich nuts, seeds and pulses such as lentils and chickpeas – all good for healthy growth.
Eggs should also be on your menu at least twice a week for biotin, a B-group vitamin vital for good growth.Eat spinach to boost your levels of iron and zinc, both vital minerals for a shiny mane.
Beyond the plate
Finding it hard to make sure you’re hitting your nutritional targets? Put the good stuff back in with a hair vitamins supplement. When the sun’s shining, try and spend half an hour outside each day to get your dose of vitamin D, which is thought to promote healthy hair growth. Cold and gloomy out? No problem – a vitamin D supplement is a great booster on darker days.Massage your scalp
Firmly massage your entire head with your fingertips using small, circular movements for five minutes each day to boost hair thickness. Not only does this feel delicious (especially if you can persuade someone else to do it for you!), it boosts blood flow to the hair follicles, bringing a good supply of nutrients right where they’re needed and delivering, over time, a truly lustrous shine.
What’s more, in Ayurveda (the ancient system of Indian medicine), daily scalp massage is said to promote deep relaxation, improve memory and alertness, and balance brain chemistry. What’s not to love?!
