Do you find taking care of your hair tiresome? Want a permanent solution to falling hair? Embarrassed to move confidently with friends as your hair speaks loudly about your bad health? Do you think pollution and sunlight has an adverse effect on your hair, and you are short of tips on taking care of them?

Well, then remember that hair fall is natural, and there is nothing wrong with it unless it is persistent and extensive. Taking care of our scalp is as important as taking care of the rest of our body. We have to keep our scalp conditioned so that it does not get dry and flaky. It isn’t necessary to use the most expensive conditioner; you can use natural products to retain and get the bounce and shine back in your hair.

Besides conditioning and treating the hair externally, it is very important to note what one eats everyday. Our hair, like the rest of the body and skin, reflects what we eat; a proper amount of minerals and elements makes hair healthy, strong and shiny.

With some alterations in the diet, you can get the best hair results — not overnight, but steadily you will see great improvement.

For dry hairThe lack of essential oils in our diet makes our hair dry. To get the lustre back, we must intake plenty of essential fatty acids found in the majority of oily fish such as tuna, mackerel and herring. Nuts and olives have essential fatty acids as well.Hydrating our hair is also essential, so make sure to drink at least seven to eight glasses of water everyday.

For greasy hairWhen our diet comprises oily and fried food, it usually doesn’t get enough Vitamin B, which leads to greasy hair. To get rid of extra oil, be sure to eat lots of whole grains, nuts, seeds, dairy products, eggs, legumes and green, leafy vegetables which are great sources of B-complex vitamins.

For falling hair It is usually iron and protein deficiency that is accountable for the thinning of hair. It is thus advisable to eat iron rich foods such as red meat, eggs, legumes, wholegrain cereals, dried fruits and green leafy vegetables; and foods high in protein such as meats, eggs, cheese, seeds and nuts.

Vitamin resources for strong and healthy locks

Vitamin B — Green vegetables, beans, sunflower seeds, nuts and peasVitamin C — Citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, limes, melons and berries

Vitamin E — Nuts, dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grainsVitamin A — Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, broccoli and apricots

Vitamin K — Seafood, dairy products, figs, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, dark green leafy vegetables, oatmeal, soybeans, wheat, yoghurt, egg yolks and liver.

Although a healthy diet plays a pivotal role, there are a few rituals which, when followed, bring forth radical changes and keep your hair naturally strong.

1. Say no to hard hair brushes. Natural boar bristles are the best for dry hair while soft, rubber toothed wide paneled brushes should be used for damp hair.

2. Make it a habit to brush your hair before shampooing; it increases blood circulation and removes dead skin and flakes. Untangling hair before is better than to comb them after they are washed.

3. Use clean water to wash your hair. Make sure it’s free from salt and impurities. Salty water cuts down the natural minerals of your hair and will increase chances of dandruff, drying and discolouring.

4. Trim your hair regularly, at least 1/2 inch every four to eight weeks.

5. If you love to change your hair colour every season, make sure you use colour protective products, since they are developed to minimise dryness that is natural after dyeing.

6. Deep conditioning or a good thorough protein treatment is a must, once every two weeks. If protein treatment sounds too difficult, try an egg pack: beat one to two eggs in some water and then apply to your hair till it dries off (approx. 20 minutes).Wash it off with water and notice the shine and smoothness in your hair. Eggs have in abundance the necessary proteins which our hair needs the most.

7. Don’t tie up your hair with rubber bands; they are the hair’s worst accessory. Replace your bands with good quality claw clips. Exerting extra pressure on the hair is not advisable.

8. Last but not the least, a quick treat for your locks: Oil your hair before you shampoo it. It is preferable to keep it oiled for at least an hour, but if you are in a rush, oil and then shampoo immediately. If you apply oil, wash and condition your hair properly to get all the oil out. Your hair and scalp will feel rejuvenated and your hair will draw compliments all around!