Losing your hair certainly feels awful. Due to the modern sedentary lifestyle, a lot of men and women now suffer from hair loss. There are a number of reasons that lead to hair loss, such as age, environmental pollution, poor diet, stress or hormonal unbalance. You need to know that conditions which affect the body can also affect hair growth, since your hair health is a reflection of your overall health.

Beauty comes from the mind and a healthy mind leads to healthy living. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a balance in your life. Exercise boosts body health and promotes a strong hair growth cycle. It also increases the blood flow to scalp and promote circulation around the scalp, resulting in better hair growth. Work these eight simple, easy to do exercises into your daily regime for hair growth and good health.

1. Jogging

Jogging allows you to sweat it out, which might actually be a good thing since sweat opens up the pores in your scalp and helps to flush out all the toxins that are harmful to the hair.

Cardio exercises such as jogging can help to increase blood circulation to the scalp and this blood flow promotes healthy growth of the hair. It is recommended to jog for at least half an hour every day in order to reap the excellent benefits that come with this exercise.

2. Scalp massage

One of the important and simple exercises is scalp massage. Another tip to improve hair growth is to give yourself a very relaxing and effective scalp massage. Not only are scalp massages relaxing, but you will also come out of it with strong and healthy looking hair. Scalp massages help increase blood flow to the scalp, which circulates all the essential nutrients to the hair follicles, encouraging hair growth eventually.

3. Neck exercise

Moving your head and neck side to side, as well as front and back may seem to be a good way to encourage hair growth. Stretching the neck muscles can also help hair growth by releasing any trapped tension and stress in the surrounding muscles. As blood circulation improves in these areas, the increased blood flow works to boost hair growth and fights any damage caused to the hair.

4. Acupuncture

This is a more non-conventional practice to rejuvenate and promote hair health. Acupuncture has actually shown to be effective in reducing hair loss. The exercise works to stimulate the pressure points on our fingers that encourage healthy hair, and of course including increased hair growth.

5. Upside down exercise

This can be one of the most interesting scalp exercises to boost hair growth and assist in growing the hair well. It might seem that you will have to keep hanging upside down. Though the concept is true, the process of doing this is different. Using your head, you will balance your body on a yoga mat. However, a word of caution here: do not try performing this without any help if you have a neck injury. Give yourself time to get this right. This may take some time, so be patient.

6. Rubbing your nails

Acupressure points in our body can result in good hair growth when properly treated. Pressing on these points revitalises the hair follicles and improves blood circulation to the scalp. Acupressure points associated with hair growth are located in the fingertips underneath the nails. Massaging these points can help to stimulate the hormones that promote hair growth and hair darkening. Besides treating hair loss, you will be delighted to know that rubbing your nails can help to alleviate dandruff and premature greying of the hair. When you press on the acupressure points often enough, the roots of the hair follicles supply energy needed for hair growth to the scalp.

7. Breathing exercise

Kapalbhati pranayama is the most well-known yoga form of breathing exercise that helps to oxygenate your body, while strengthening the muscles of your stomach and abdomen at the same time. As such, it can give the scalp all the oxygen that is needed to rejuvenate damaged hair and help new hair to grow. It is also known to cure hair loss problems.

8. Lifting your legs

Lifting up your legs in the air and holding it there regulates the working of the thyroid gland and provides the head with a good supply of blood. This exercise is good for people who are affected by hair fall and baldness due to hormonal imbalance.

As we get older, our body undergoes many different changes, some of which will happen to our hair too. Our hair is in for a lot of changes as we age and signs of aging in hair can span from greying locks to a head of thinning mane. Here are some main changes that we should expect and how we can work around them to achieve the shiny, vibrant hair regardless of our age.

1. The hair turns grey

Hair turning grey is the obvious change that we will see as we age. Though there are a couple of reasons that this could happen, the most common reason we hear is that it is actually genetic. People who have grey prematurely or have different patterns of grey hair can ask their parents if theirs were the same. Nonetheless, some other reasons for greying could be stress, an unhealthy diet, extreme lifestyle, lack of sleep and serious illness. Hair goes grey because of the lack of melanin production after a certain age, which is what gives hair its colour. When we go grey, we have hair without colour and without protein. Of course, you can dye your hair to make it the colour you want. However, grey hair takes colour differently than pigmented hair. It is also important to use an anti-aging shampoo, conditioner and support products that will help to keep the hair as healthy and nourished as possible. Those with ingredients like omega fatty acids and colour safe formulas are great options.

2. The hair loses thickness

Given that hair grows on average a little less than half an inch per month, hair that is 12 inches in length has seen almost three years of ultraviolet light, friction from brushing, heat from blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons, and chemical exposure through colouring, perming, or straightening. Over time, the cuticle cells become raised and softened, making the hair appear rougher and more prone to breakage. Over time, hair follicles gradually produce thinner, smaller hairs, or none at all. This is referred to as senescent alopecia, although it may simply be a part of the natural aging process. Research also shows that around the age of 40, a woman’s hair also starts to grow finer as time passes, which makes the hair look and feel thinner. For a start, we should avoid excessive use of heat on the hair, such as limiting the use of hot tools like curling irons and flat irons.

3. The hair breaks easily

When the hair lacks protein, it does not only affect the hair colour but also affects the strength of the hair. A drop in the keratin protein levels will make the hair weaker and less elastic, which results in more breakage when the hair is tugged or pulled. This is also due to the cells on the outer protective cuticle will become more fragile as we age, making hair breakage seemingly inevitable. Especially for fine hair. We can look at using products that contain the protein, which can help fill in the tears and gaps and build hair’s strength back.

4. The hair changes texture

After a certain age, many women note that their hair becomes drier, and the texture seems to be coarser and more brittle than before. This is the result when the body’s production of sebum, a naturally-created lubricant of the skin and hair, slows down. The hair may also become more porous and lose its elasticity. A good news is that dealing with this problem is easy. We can start by evaluating our eating habits, such as getting a healthy diet, rich in anti-oxidant foods and try to focus on calcium-rich foods and foods containing vitamins A, E and C, as well as Omega-3 Fatty Acids. It is also crucial that we drink at least two litres of water a day.

5. The hair grows slower

Hair growth is controlled by several factors and is highly variable from person to person. Your age, gender and overall health all play an important role in determining how fast your hair will grow. The hair will grow slower as we age and spend less time in the growth phase and more in the resting phase. This means that it will grow more slowly, and will not be able to grow as long as it once did.

Take the above tips and steps to preserve your strands as you age gracefully.

Going to the gym can lead to some serious strand damage. Every time your hair is tugged, rubbed, or even styled, it gets a little more frayed. However, that is not a reason to ditch your workout. All you need is to rethink how we treat our hair while exercising and understand how friction damage to the hair starts.

Each strand’s outer layer, or cuticle, is made up of scales on the surface of the hair and a lipid protection barrier that keeps the scales soft and flat. When friction damages that natural shield, it causes the scales to flex upward and can even pull them off, leaving holes in the cuticle. This exposes the inner structure of the hair (cortex) which is comprised of bundles of a tough protein (keratin). When these bundles fray, you get split ends, and when you tug to comb or pony up, it causes the weakened hair to break.

Here’s what you need to do to protect your hair while you are working out.

1. Do not shampoo after every workout

Remember, this is a big no-no. Shampooing the hair too much — even after a gym session — can cause your hair to dry out. It also strips away the natural oils that keep your scalp and hair healthy. Instead, you can keep a travel size dry shampoo in your gym bag. Dry shampoos help to soak up all the unwanted sweat and oil while absorbing all the impurities. Otherwise, you can try using a cleansing conditioner that will do the cleaning trick and keep the hair’s natural oils or a hair refresher to hydrate the hair.

2. Do a pre-workout for your hair

It may seem silly to spend time beautifying the hair before getting all sweaty. But it is important that you spend a few seconds on your hair for better strands after exercising. You should ideally spray some dry shampoo on your roots before your workout. This helps to prevent excess moisture from saturating your whole head with sweat.

3. Be gentle to your (especially wet) hair

Hair stretches up to 30 percent when it’s wet, making it more susceptible to breakage. Yank any old brush through those post-gym tangles, and you will end up cringing when you see all the broken pieces frizzing up. The detangling tool you use is also the key. If you use the wrong one, it will be ineffective and destructive like cutting a tomato with a dull knife. Furthermore, rather than aggressively rubbing it with a towel to dry it, wrap the towel around your head and squeeze out the excess moisture.

4. Loosen that ponytail

The ponytail keeps the hair out of your eyes. But, it is time to avoid pulling your hair into a tight ponytail if you can help it. Instead, you can opt for clips or snag free elastics that are easier on your hair.

5. Think out of the pony

Strands are more prone to breakage when you put stress on the same section every day. You definitely have other hairstyle options besides the ponytail. For example, a loose, high bun will give you tons of volume after a workout. While you work out, you can also try a fishtail or a knotted braid. If extra control is needed, braid your bangs back and to the side to keep off your face. Tie the rest into a low bun and secure with a spin pin rather than an elastic.

6. Protect your hair from the sun

Your scalp is just as sensitive to the sun as the rest of your skin. Of course, it is not comfortable when it burns. And the itching is going to be a nightmare. If you are a regular runner or do any kind of outdoor exercises, do use heat protection hair products before starting your workout to help prevent any sun damage, as well as preserving your hair colour and preventing colour fading.

7. Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate after a workout

You should wash, or at least rinse, your hair before you dry it after a workout. All that salt in your sweat will dry out your hair, so if you skip the washing or rinsing and go straight into blow drying your sweaty hair is going to be very dehydrating for the mane. If you are on the go and need to quickly leave, you can save some time by dabbing the sweat from your hair with a towel, then mist your hair with water filled in an empty spray bottle to dilute any remaining sweat before you blow dry it.

The hair is a sacred asset, especially for women. How you take care of your hair, such as how it is being washed and what products are used on it, can go a long way towards maintaining shiny and smooth hair. The process of growing and maintaining a healthy mane can be really daunting, especially if you are clueless about what to do.

Of course, nobody wants to harm or hinder their hair growth or health deliberately. But some of our habits which we keep following out of our comfort become all the wrong reasons for unhealthy hair. Therefore, a haircare regimen is what we must adapt so as to help our hair grow longer and stronger. We share some tips to help you maintain a head of healthy hair.

1. Trim your hair frequently

Some people may deny this approach, but past experiences show that trimming does help with the growth of your hair. Untrimmed hair can lead to split ends which further break your hair and thin them down, thereby, decreasing the volume of your hair. You can notice the length of your hair between your trims and not having your hair trimmed at all. Furthermore, trimmed hair is way shinier, smoother and voluminous.

2. Use natural oil

The scalp releases oil, and if utilized well, this oil can make our hair look shinier from its root to tip. Going to sleep without brushing your hair might seem like a tempting practice, but a few strokes can go a long way for a healthy mane. A boar bristle brush is preferred for distributing the oil off your scalp unto the tips so that your hair remains naturally moisturised.

3. Keep to a good diet

The external care of your hair sure does guarantee some success with better hair growth, but the root gets nourishment from what you eat, just like how the rest of your body does. A diet high in protein is usually ideal for the growth of your hair. Foods like meat, fish, whole grains, nuts, and beans are enriched with protein, so make sure to take at least a serving of each as part of your diet.

4. Avoid using the shampoo too much

Shampoo helps the natural oils in the scalp to penetrate the hair, enabling it to repair and hydrate, but too much build-up can lead to too much oil in the scalp. Therefore, you should avoid shampooing on a regular basis. A better practice is to use shampoo 3 to 4 times a week.

5. Take the necessary vitamins

If your lifestyle is mostly hectic and you are unable to take care of your diet, make sure you take multivitamins that are available for your skin, hair, and nails. Our hair, skin, and nails can greatly benefit from vitamins. This is going to act as a three in one and might give you better nails and skin as well during the process of getting healthier hair.

6. Cold water is helpful

Most people will want to enjoy a steamy shower after a hectic day. However, when it comes to skin health, it is not considered as a good option. Moreover, some experts say that it is not good for the hair either. Lukewarm water, on the other hand, can help retain the moisture your hair needs without stripping off the natural oil on your scalp like hot water does. Cold water helps to strengthen your hair before you style them, as well as sealing the cuticles.

7. Monitor your scalp condition

Your scalp speaks volumes. Do not be tricked by the products you use whenever you see how good or shiny your hair looks all the time when you use them. Most people tend to believe that the products they use are the ultimate cure, but in actuality, the products may lead to more damage over time. A product showing quick results also has more harmful chemicals added to it. The question remains how you are going to identify whether or not the product is healthy for your hair. The answer is simple. If a product makes your scalp feel hydrated, silky, smooth and supple, it is the product for you. Congested and clogged hair is not going to help in efficient hair growth, thus it is important to pay attention to the scalp of your hair like you would attend to your skin.

Your hair condition can give you important indications about your health. Hair is incredibly sensitive to internal changes. Though hair is the second fastest growing cell in your body, the fastest being intestinal cells. hair is a not as essential as your intestines. Your metabolism will only keep your essential tissues functioning first and foremost, which often means that the hair is usually the first to suffer, and also the last to benefit from any issues related to the body.

You probably, at one time or another, have connected the condition of your hair with the state of your health. A head of thick, shiny and bouncy hair is not just a show of how well you have taken care of your mane but also that your body is in very good health. On the other hand, thin, dry, brittle hair will reflect certain underlying health issues that you need to get treated first. Here are the ways in which your overall health affects your tresses.

1. Not getting enough nutrients

If you have dull or thin hair, it means that you have been eating too much processed food and have not enough protein, good fats and other nutrients in your diet. Do eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as at least two to three servings of good sources of protein such as chicken, eggs, fish, tofu and nuts. Remember to add good fats like oily fish, avocados, dark chocolate, and olive oil to your diet since fats improve the health of your hair and help your body to absorb vitamin D, which can cause hair loss in women if the body is lacking in it.

2. Dental issues

If you have tooth decay, beware. Research has shown that there is a link between hair disorders and tooth decay and gum disease. People who suffer from hair disorders like the Anagen hair syndrome, where hair can be pulled out easily, are easily prone to tooth cavities and a weaker enamel coating.

3. Stress-related hair loss

If you have been shedding a lot of hair, it could be due to a major psychological or physical stress such as a death in the family, surgery or childbirth, which can have a powerful effect on your entire body, causing hair to fall out in clumps. This condition, known as telogen effluvium, is reversible once the source of stress is removed. You can also reduce the severity of the effects by practising stress management, eating a balanced diet and switching medication following the advice of a medical professional.

4. Side effects of birth control 

If you realise that your hair is getting thinner, drier and duller, and you are taking birth control pills, ask your doctor to recommend a non-hormonal form of birth control. The hormonal changes that come with stopping or starting birth control pills may cause shedding of the hair.

5. Thyroid dysfunction

If you have suddenly thinning hair, be warned that it is a sign of hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland is responsible for hair growth, and when it does not produce enough hormones, it can result in a sudden drastic hair fall and thinning on the scalp.

6. Mental health issues

If you have the habit of pulling out your hair, it may indicate that you have a mental health condition called trichotillomania. This is predominant in people who tend to be perfectionists, and they tend to pull at their hair to relieve their frustration when they do not get something done right. Do see your mental care provider for this, as it is a compulsive disorder that requires treatment.

7. Too much testosterone

If you notice hair loss from the crown area, it could be a result of the body producing too much testosterone. This may be accompanied by dark facial hair on the upper lip or thick hair on your arms and belly fat. Abdominal fat boosts production of testosterone, so losing weight will help to alleviate this problem.

8. Anaemia

If you have hair loss and feel tired most of the time, you may have an iron deficiency. It is relatively easy resolvable as it comes down to a lack of iron in the diet. Severely iron deficient anaemic people may also have pale skin as well. If this form of anaemia is the problem, you can help yourself by increasing your iron intake through sources like spinach, red meat, liver and nuts including almonds and walnuts.