These 6 Lifestyle Changes Can Foster Improved Hair Growth
Did you know there’s a number of different non-invasive ways that you can grow thicker, healthier hair? Whether you’re concerned with the health of your hair or you’re interested in preventing the effects of male pattern baldness – something that the majority of men will probably experience by the time they reach 50 – there are a number of different options available. And best of all, most of these haircare treatments demand minor lifestyle changes or a few extra minutes in the day, so you don’t have to worry about making any major changes in your life.
Eat Sufficient Zinc and Iron
Zinc and iron are nutrients that are important for a number of different functions regarding our health and wellness. When it comes to haircare, both of these minerals are important for having strong, healthy hair. In fact, some types of hair loss have been actually linked to iron deficiencies, which is a problem in its own right considering iron is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. In the same study posted in the Dermatology Practical and Conceptual journal, researchers didn’t only link insufficient iron levels to hair loss, they also found that people who increased their zinc intake actually have improved hair growth.
The problem is that zinc can become toxic when taken at high levels (above 225mg a day), and this can cause lead to negative and painful side effects, like cramps and vomiting. For this reason, it’s best to get your zinc and iron from foods rather than supplements, unless you’ve been giving a nutritional plan by the doctor.
The truth is that nutrition plays a huge role in your hair’s health, so it’s important to get all your essential vitamins and minerals to grow strong hair that looks great. Here are some foods that are rich in zinc that you should think about adding to your lunch or dinner that could improve your hair’s health and growth:
Lamb
Pumpkin seeds
Cashews
Yoghurt
Mushrooms
Chickpeas
Spinach
And if you want to boost your iron levels, eat more meat and seafood, beans or leafy greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard.
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Avoid Shampoos with Harsh Chemicals Bad for Hair
This may come as a surprise for most of us, but the truth is that we shouldn’t be washing our hair every day. In fact, we should only be really washing it right when it starts to get oily. The reason for this is because most shampoos contain harsh chemicals like sulfates which don’t just remove dirt from your hair, they also strip away sebum, an important oil necessary for strong and healthy hair, as well. Over the past few years, researchers have been able to establish a link between over shampooing and impaired hair growth. So, if you’re a daily shampooer and you’re wondering why your hair isn’t growing as quickly and as healthily as it should be, look at the ingredients and switch to something that isn't so harsh.
Stop Smoking Cigarettes
If you’re a smoker who’s already trying to kick the habit, you already know that ditching cigarettes is easier said than done. Still, if you’re looking for one extra incentive to quit smoking for good, do it for your hair. Researchers have found a link between hair loss and smoking. This is because of a couple of reasons. For starters, the smoke itself is pollution that’s capable of damaging your hair and skin. But on a biological level, it’s also been found that cigarettes actually cause damage to the DNA of your hair follicles. If you’re looking for ways to improve your hair growth, that pack-a-day habit might be the biggest culprit for your thin and damaged hair.
Wear a Hat When Outside for Extended Periods
You may be surprised to know that overexposure to the sun’s UV rays can damage your hair. If you’ve already got a thin head of hair, you probably already know the importance of applying sunscreen to your scalp and wearing a hat to prevent sunburn. The truth is that everyone, regardless of how thick or thin their hair is, should be protecting their hair and scalp against the sun.
Overexposure to the UV radiation caused by the sun actually damages our hair, causing it to lose proteins and weaken over time. And if you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, this could have a long-term effect on your hair’s overall quality beyond lightening the color of your hair. For this reason, you should always wear a hat when you’re planning on spending the day outside. Otherwise, you’re placing your hair at risk of being damaged and might even be affecting the way it grows.
Take Biotin Supplements
Biotin is a form of vitamin B that is also sold under the name "B Complex." It’s gained a lot of popularity over the past few years in the health and beauty community because of its ability to improve the health and appearance of hair, skin, and nails. Biotin has also become a popular supplement to help treat male pattern baldness. Its DHT-blocking properties (the hormone linked to baldness) have made it become a popular addition to haircare regimens and studies have recently linked it to improved hair growth.
Use Proven Hair Loss Products
One of the best ways to improve your hair growth is to start a daily haircare regimen using minoxidil ointment twice a day and taking a daily 1mg finasteride tablet. In a clinical testing, doctors found that the men who used finasteride and minoxidil together for 90 days actually ended the trial with a thicker head of hair than they started with.
As you can see, there are a number of different ways to improve the health and thickness of your hair. And many of the changes just require living a healthy lifestyle overall, which can benefit you in a number of other ways as well.
What haircut should I get?
Discover which haircut you should get for your face shape
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.
