5 Tips for Growing Healthy, Beautiful Hair

Hair makes us beautiful.

There are few conditions that evoke anxiety in my patients (men and women) more than hair loss. Hair is an important part of our appearance. We are biologically programmed to view it as a marker for a person’s suitability as a mate; this is probably because it’s an obvious indicator of a person’s youth and health.

Good hair suggests you are well nourished and healthy. As we age hair thins naturally, so a full head of hair also indicates the owner is young (and likely fertile).

It is no wonder that billions of dollars are spent every year to darken it, lighten it, grow more of it, and style it.

Like other physical characteristics such as body shape and skin complexion, the hair you have is the hair you are genetically programmed to grow. For some it is dense and thick. For others it is thin and sparse.

Patients often ask me what they can do to grow thick, luxurious hair. Here are five tips to have hair that says: “Yes, I’m dreamy.”

  1. Eat well. Your hair reflects your overall health. If you eat healthfully, your hair will be healthy. Consume a diet based on whole foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, nuts, and low-fat dairy.
  2. Take your biotin. There are countless vitamins touted to make your hair grow faster, stronger, and longer, including prenatal vitamins. Don’t believe it. If you eat a good diet (as above), then you don’t need vitamins. The only one I recommend supplementing is biotin at 1,500 mcg each day. Otherwise, leave the prenatal vitamins for pregnant women.
  3. Moisturize. Shampoos are often potent soaps and can strip your hair’s natural oils, leaving it dry, dull, and brittle. Use the shampoo at the scalp only, not at the ends which can be months to years old and have endured countless washes. Use a conditioner everyday (or at least 3-4 times a week if your hairstyle can’t tolerate daily conditioning) to help lock in moisture. This will help your hair be thicker, shinier, and healthier.
  4. Try carnitine. A recent study showed that at least in the laboratory, L-carnitine (found in red meat) stimulated hair growth. Maybe that’s where the expression, “Eat this. It’ll put hair on your chest” comes from….
  5. Cut it. Because your hair can be years old, it reflects all your body has been through in that time. For instance, if you were sick a few months ago, then the hair that grew during that period can be thin and brittle and will remain that way until it is sheared. If your hair is damaged or frayed, then there is little you can do to repair it. Sometimes the best thing to do is to cut off all the damaged areas and focus on taking better care of the hair that is still healthy.

Post written by Jeffrey Benabio, MD. You might also like:

How to Avoid Razor Bumps

How to Grow a Beard

How to Treat a Sunburn

10 Things You Should Know About Laser Hair Removal

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June 27, 2008 | Filed Under Hair Loss, Health and Beauty, Men's Skin Care, Women's Skin Care 

Comments

12 Responses to “5 Tips for Growing Healthy, Beautiful Hair”

  1. Hair Blog - We always post to our blog and we always have something to say on July 2nd, 2008 11:25 am

    [...] » Tips To Prevent Hair Fall Hot Tips To Prevent Hair Loss « Health and Skin Care Tips 5 Tips for Growing Healthy, Beautiful Hair | The Derm Blog Hair Loss - Great Tips to Reduce Hair Loss George Bellinder » Blog Archive » Se sortea [...]

  2. Nicki on July 3rd, 2008 4:52 pm

    Great post! I definitely agree that biotin supplementation makes a big difference. I have been taking GNC’s Hair Skin and Nails vitamins for a month now, and the biotin has made my nails grow extremely quick. And, Patrick Dempsey does in fact have nice hair, haha…

  3. Hair cut designs on July 10th, 2008 10:23 am

    that’s very interesting.

  4. Joe Nathan on July 11th, 2008 2:34 am

    Its made me very much interested, and impressed reading about the five tips for taking care of hair. Its made me surprised that millions of dollars were spent in hair grooming. I will try to follow in the near future. Thanks for the tips its really helpful.

  5. Fast hair growth on July 15th, 2008 12:42 pm

    cool tips.

  6. Sarah on July 16th, 2008 5:32 am

    1,500 mg of Biotin seems like a lot? Did you mean to say mcg?

  7. Sarah on July 16th, 2008 7:34 am

    A follow up question to the one regarding dosage… I’ve also heard that Biotin supplementation can aggravate acne. Is there any truth to this? Thank you!

  8. hairool on July 21st, 2008 10:09 pm

    The best way to grow hair naturally is to use Herbal Remedies.

  9. SkinCareGuru on July 22nd, 2008 8:51 am

    Our outside is a true reflection of what we take internally.

    It is that simple. We should take more stock on the things that we may control by choosing to live healthy lifestyles while incorporating available information, and making the right choices for ourselves…..your articles help in making this process.

    Please keep them coming.

  10. TheBaldOne on August 2nd, 2008 1:32 pm

    Does hairproducts like wax and gell, add to hairloss? I dont want to go bald :(.

  11. joanna utley on August 18th, 2008 5:23 am

    my hair sucks i need it to have healthy curly full long beautiful sexy hair i need the best shampoo and conditioner to work wonders a protein for hair to make it grow long fast please help me joanna

  12. nani on October 11th, 2008 7:26 am

    r there any other medicines to grow the thin scalp hair to thick scalp hair if any one knowns about it plz do informe at my email(nani_nani20062000@yahoo.com)

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