Looking like you've ‘just stepped out of a salon' might be a big ask, but having a head full of healthy, shiny hair isn't. As with general wellbeing, having radiant hair depends on your diet and lifestyle. Here are some tips to steer your hair follicles in a healthy direction.
Take a look at your shampoo. If the ingredients contain sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), you're using relatively cheap detergents that may damage hair follicles: this happens when the detergent strips your scalp of protective fatty substances. Instead look for sulphate-free shampoos.
Make sure you're getting essential fatty acids in your diet – these help with dry and brittle hair and improve the texture. Essential fatty acids are found in whole grains, legumes, fresh nuts and seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, spirulina, flaxseed oil and pumpkin seeds. Essential fatty acids help with dry and brittle hair and improve the texture.
Two foods that aren't ideal for maintaining hair health are raw eggs and sugar. Raw eggs contain the protein avidin which binds to biotin (a nutrient that regulates scalp oils) and prevents its absorption. Sugar may deplete B vitamins which contribute to hair growth and overall health.
Found in whole grains and vegetables, silica helps improves the general condition of hair. As we age, silica levels in our bodies are slowly depleted, resulting in dull hair. Consider a supplement such as straight silica or horsetail, which also includes silica.
References available on request