You don’t always need to run to the drug or beauty store to buy those fancy looking overly hyped products that claim to give you gorgeous and healthy hair. With the media and commercial marketing techniques luring us into buying those super expensive hair care products or treatments, it is no wonder that we get trapped and dig a hole in our pockets. Truth be told, cosmetic hair care products usually contain over 30 or more synthetic ingredients; even those claiming to be organic and natural. Many of these ingredients tend to make your hair dry by stripping your hair and scalp of natural oils. Hence, natural hair care techniques and products paired up with a healthy diet full of antioxidants and minerals, go a long way in keeping your hair healthy and beautiful for a longer period of time.

• It is important to be aware of a few hair ingredients to avoid when shopping for hair care products such as shampoos and conditioners. These include- sulfates, paraben, water-based infusions, and p-Phenylenediamine. While sulfates are known skin irritants and suspected carcinogens, paraben is a common preservative and one of the primary chemicals responsible for unbalancing crucial hormones and disrupting the endocrine system. Water-based infusions are vulnerable to spoilage and contain chlorine or fluorides along with a multitude of other toxins.
• Be sure to include healthy fats such as coconut oil, olive oil, grass-fed butter and avocados, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and brazil nuts to your diet as they contain healthy omega 3s that, in turn, moisturize and lubricate your hair from the inside out.
• Protein makes up for the most important constituent of your hair. Hence, if your hair is deficient in the full spectrum of amino acids that comprise complete proteins, then your hair starts to get brittle, weak and dull. Eat enough protein as it helps with the growth and strengthening of your hair.
• Load up on iron and zinc as they are important for hair growth. You can obtain these nutrients naturally or through supplements if your diet lacks them.
• The root causes of a number of issues related to the scalp are hormonal imbalances, fungal infections, and even digestive or constipation related problems. It is important to address and treat these issues on a priority basis by including natural hair care and botanical products.
• Nourishing your hair with naturally occurring essential oils also helps in combating various hair-related issues. If you are suffering from a dry, flaky, and itchy scalp, try using rosemary or pine essential oil as they contain anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Similarly, peppermint essential oil provides a cooling effect and is great for inflammation or combating itchiness. Weak or damaged ends can be repaired with jojoba oil which is rich in peptides and lipids. Argan oil works well to repair damaged hair while dandruff can be taken care of by the use of coconut oil.

Commit yourself to shift to more natural hair care methods. Not only will your hair improve by doing so, but you will be supporting your overall health by eliminating chemicals and toxins which are found in a number of conventional brands these days.