4 Rules to Prevent Hair Dehydration
Unstable outdoor air, wind, dry indoor air, and improper care products dry out not only the skin, but also the hair. Winter often leads to dry hair that has lost its shine and vitality. Kristina Lelevičienė, Ambassador of the Benu Healthy Skin Institute, answers why hair needs moisture, what happens when it's lacking, and what rules to remember when caring for dry hair.
Generally speaking, a person dehydrates when more fluid is removed from the body than it enters. Two-thirds of our body is made up of water, which helps many of the body’s vital functions, including skin and hair. If the water level in the blood becomes too low, this results in an unbalanced amount of minerals, salts, and sugar in the body.
“Every day our body removes fluids, so we need to make sure that when we lose a certain amount, we replace it. Only an organism that receives the right amount of water will function perfectly and allow it to have healthy skin, nails, and shiny hair,” says Lelevičienė.
Proper nutrition is important for hair.
Hair, like skin or nails, is a living part of the body. Bulbs grow under the skin, so to be healthy, you need to start caring not only about what shampoo you use, but also what you put into your body. In addition to adequate water intake, no less important are daily consumed foods, which are the main source of all the necessary nutrients for hair.
"Everyone has heard that we have to drink at least one and a half liters of water every day, but the fact that we drink a lot of fluids and are active, although commendable, is not enough. Without proper nutrition, the body does not get all the necessary nutrients, so if you want healthy, moisturized, and shiny hair, eat raw vegetables and products rich in omega-3 fatty acids every day. You will achieve good results only after taking care of the hair's moisture from the inside," says the expert.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish like mackerel and salmon, walnuts and other nuts, flaxseed, avocados, and soybeans.
Don’t forget vitamins and minerals.
Like any other part of the body, vitamins are also essential for hair. Although their growth and moisture are often determined by factors such as human age, genetics, or hormones, the optimal amount of nutrients is no less important.
"Vitamins A, B, C, D and E are very important for hair—they all promote hair growth, help restore the right amount of moisture, and maintain a healthy condition. Vitamins are best absorbed from food, but after the winter, when the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables available is significantly reduced, oral vitamins can help restore the vitality of hair faster, ”advises Lelevičienė.
In addition to vitamins, healthy hair needs minerals such as cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, zinc and silicon. In the absence of zinc, the scalp dries out and the hair begins to shed. You can find zinc in wheat germ and bran, oysters, herring, red meat, legumes, and grains.
Silicon is a trace element that is present in our skin, hair, and thyroid gland. Silicon is important to slow down the body's aging processes. Silicon reserves begin to decline from about 20 years of age because the body is unable to produce enough of it, so it's important to ingest silicon as much as possible through food (cabbage, oats, carrots, radishes, and strawberries) or dietary supplements. These can be found in capsules, tablets, or liquid form, and is best used in combination with other beauty supplements such as biotin (vitamin B7) and selenium, which strengthen hair roots and reduce hair loss.
Broccoli is filled with copper; grains and nuts have iodine; sea cabbage, shrimps, cod livers, persimmons, and buckwheat provide iron; liver, beef, lentils, and spinach contain cobalt.
Heat helps absorb moisture.
Some skin has extremely small pores, making it harder to absorb the moisturize it needs. Try using heat when using moisturizers. Steam the scalp using warm water and a simple shower cap to open up the pores of the scalp and allow it to absorb the most important nutrients from your products.
"In order for oils or conditioners to be absorbed better, it is necessary to open the pores—in this case, a shower cap works best. Apply a moisturizer, cover with the cap, and hold for at least five minutes. A common mistake when using this method is too much product. It not only doesn't help the hair, but also can change its natural structure. Use better products less, but keep them longer," explains Lelevičienė.
Use only natural products.
Natural remedies are often thought to be less effective. On the contrary, high-chemical products only have a short-term effect, and in the long run can weaken and dry out hair.
“When choosing haircare products, I recommend looking for those that contain as many natural substances as possible, such as aloe, chamomile flower oil, wheat, nettle, sage extracts, etc., as well as vitamins like keratin. Dry hair benefits from ingredients such as mango butter, jojoba, coconut, shea, argan and macadamia oils," said the Ambassador of the Healthy Skin Institute.
The expert also notes that natural ingredients provide a less rapid, but long-lasting effect by helping restore and maintain the hair's vitality, moisture, shine, and smoothness. She also points out that it's often not enough shampoo and conditioner. At least a couple of times a week, the hair should be pampered with a mask selected according to their type. Be sure to moisten the ends and nourish with hair oil. It will prevent the ends from splitting and branching, protecting against split ends.
