Food That Can Help Repair Damaged Hair

If you regularly suffer from hair issues such as dandruff, split ends or breakage, did you know that your diet could be the cause?

Many of us have minor complaints about our hair, but if you’re finding that simply switching to a new shampoo isn’t helping, changing what you eat might do the trick.

First, check out some of the common causes of damaged hair, and see if any of them might be the culprit. Then, consider adding some hair-strengthening foods to your diet as well. And don’t forget to treat yourself to an occasional hair mask for damaged hair for an extra boost!

What Causes Hair Damage

A lot of different factors can influence hair health. One of the biggest causes of damaged hair is a poor diet. Sometimes just missing one essential nutrient or vitamin can lead to hair looking thin, dry, or damaged.

It’s not all about food though! Here are some of the other main causes of damaged hair:

• Excessive Coloring or Treatments – Colors and treatments can look great, but can be terrible for your hair. People that color or relax their hair regularly often end up with hair that suffers from damage, and possibly even more serious issues, as the current hair relaxer lawsuit demonstrates. Try to keep these treatments to a minimum.
• High Temperatures – High temperature heating tools can damage both the skin of your scalp and the protein in your hair. To save your tresses, avoid scalding hot showers and hair styling tools when possible. Lower the heat settings on tools like hair dryers and straighteners if you must use them.
• Dehydration – Drinking water is essential to your general health, but it also affects your hair health. Not hydrating properly can lead to dry hair that breaks more easily. Make sure to get enough water each day, and your hair and scalp will thank you.

Foods That Boost Hair Health

• Salmon – Salmon is one of the best fish to eat in terms of its nutritional value. It’s packed with essential vitamins and fatty acids that your body needs to produce shiny and healthy-looking hair. Try it in this amazing Warm Salmon Roasted Vegetable Salad!
• Avocados – Avocados are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are one of the most beneficial nutrients for overall health. As well as helping your hair stay hydrated, they also help to lower cholesterol.
• Nuts – There are many different kinds of nuts, but almost all of them contain nutrients that help to keep your hair looking good. Walnuts, for example, contain Biotin, an essential vitamin that helps your hair and skin stay healthy.
• Eggs – Eggs have a lot of essential nutrients, including Biotin. The B vitamins in eggs also help the body break down protein. Hair contains the protein keratin, and the B vitamins in eggs help boost that protein for healthier tresses.
• Dark Green Vegetables – Spinach, broccoli, kale and arugula contain loads of essential vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Green vegetables assist your body in producing sebum, a natural oil that keeps your hair hydrated and protected.

Protect With a Hair Mask

If you’ve changed your diet and still suffer from hair issues, a hair mask may be able to give your locks the boost they need. Hair masks contain essential nutrients that absorb into each strand of hair to help keep it hydrated and nourished. Look for a hair mask with ingredients like Biotin and B vitamins for the best payoff.

And once you’ve got that hair you wanted, make sure to protect it! Keep it healthy by eating a diet rich in essential fatty acids and drinking plenty of water. Use a silk pillowcase at night to minimize breakage. And make sure your comb or brush is in good shape! A little bit of effort can go a long way when it comes to getting and keeping hair you love!