07.03.07
Hair Care Remedies
Most women dream about having beautiful shining hair. They use a wide variety of hair care products like shampoos, conditioners and oils to take good care of their hair. But little do they know that these may have harmful affects on their hair because of the presence of some chemicals in the products. It is due to the indiscriminate use of hair care products that most women today are in search of some hair care remedies to restore natural hair growth.
Experimental studies show that the extracts from grape seeds increase the production of cells in the hair follicle. It has also been observed that the grape extracts affect the hair growth cycles to have more natural growth. Grape seed extracts promote healthy hair growth by defeating the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that stops the hair growth. The agents in grape seeds help in facilitating the follicles to move from telogen (resting) to the anagen (growing) phase at a faster rate.
Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts act as good tonic and one of the most used hair care remedies. The extract helps to increase and maintain peripheral micro-capillary circulation, ultimately improving or maintaining natural hair growth. The hair growth is stimulated through combined effects on proliferation and apoptosis (cell death) of the cells in the hair follicle.
Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis) is a natural hair care remedy, which can be used for treating alopecia. It contains aloenin, a potent stimulant which promotes rapid hair growth without any irritation in the scalp.
Coconut oil is a triglyceride having a high affinity for hair proteins. Because of its low molecular weight and straight linear chain, it is able to penetrate the hair shaft. This hair care oil lubricates and gives a smooth feel to dry hair shafts. It also heals the structure of damaged hair and protects it from harmful UVA radiation.
Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) is a medicinal herb used for treating various hair ailments. It is also used as a natural hair conditioner, especially for dark hair. It is also used as a treatment for dandruff. Rosemary oil stimulates the growth of hair. The main constituent of this hair care oil is caffeic acid and its derivative rosmarinic acid has antioxidant effects that help in providing shine to hair.
Lavender oil when used as a hair care accessory not only helps in treating lice and fleas in the hair, but also gives a pleasant aroma to your hair. It is also used to treat itchiness and psoriasis in the scalp. Researches have shown that lavender oil may be effective against alopecia areata and may help prevent hair loss.
06.28.07
Use Vitamins for Hair Growth
There are three essential ways how the vitamins and minerals influence the hair growth.
The supplements rich in minerals and vitamins may act directly on hair stimulating or inhibiting growth activity. Or they may work indirectly through other intermediaries. For example the production of a hormone to which hair follicles is sensitive. The change in hormone activity may cause change in hair follicle activity.
The role of vitamins as hair growth supplements
Vitamin C and vitamin B12 are specially required for hair growth, Vitamin C’s significance in hair growth lies in its helping the absorbing the other vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin E is also required for hair growth but it is of secondary importance to hair growth. Vitamin E is crucial for providing good blood circulation to the scalp by increasing the oxygen uptake.
Vitamin supplements are available in variety of forms. These ‘vitamin supplements’ vitamins are marketed as different names like –liquid vitamin supplements, natural vitamin supplements, daily vitamin supplements, nutritional vitamin supplements, mail order vitamin supplements or best vitamin supplements etc.
Identify quality vitamin supplements
Vitamins are usually most concentrated in fresh foods. The older or more processed the food is, the less vitamins and minerals it contains.
Vitamins required for hair growth
With a few notable exceptions like vitamin A and folic acid, taking any vitamin supplements probably does not harm hair growth. But whether they really help in promoting hair growth depends on what the actual cause of the hair loss is and how the supplements or active ingredients in herbs interact with the hair follicles.
Don’t waste your time in searching for vitamin supplements for hair growth. Most vitamins help in hair growth directly or indirectly. It is only the following vitamins deficiency of which has been shown to cause hair loss.
Vitamin B12
If you have hair loss and suspecting it because of nutritional deficiency, it is better to get it tested by blood test.
It is only in the case of such a deficiency that you need to eat more ‘vitamin supplements’ in form of tablets or the dietary vitamins.
