A few months ago, I was at a birthday party, where everyone was looking very glamorous and all set for a great night out. Then, looking back on the photos, I realised something: all the girls had hair extensions or clip-on tresses.
They were all in their thirties, and the general consensus was it’s difficult to grow your hair long, or to have thick and healthy-looking locks. My own hair is now almost waist-length, so I began to analyse why I had been so lucky.
Our hair changes as we get older. As well as turning grey, it becomes more brittle and fragile. Scientists also say hair gets thinner, due to a decrease in the number of active hair follicles and a narrowing of the diameter of each hair.
Other factors also play their part, such as genetics, health, hormones, stress, environment and nutrition, plus smoking, drinking and lack of sleep, as well as heat and chemical treatments. Our hair is a barometer for everything that we do!
Some things can’t be changed: genetics are a given, and few of us are able or willing to retire to a croft. But we can influence almost everything else and boost what we have. A quick look at my diet revealed that I regularly eat foods that help fortify the follicles and scalp.
These include: salmon, nuts especially walnuts, wholegrain bread, spinach, broccoli, carrots, Greek yoghurt, blueberries, eggs, lentils, chicken and tomatoes. I also take a selenium supplement. But why are they all so beneficial?
According to nutritionists, these are among the foods that are key to strong hair as they contain the following essentials: protein, vitamins A, B5, biotin, folic acid, C, D and E, plus omega-3 fatty acids, and the minerals iron, copper, selenium, sulphur and zinc.
An omelette for your barnet: Eggs contain protein, zinc, selenium, sulphur – and iron, which may help prevent hair loss
Vitamin B5 is pantothenic acid, which is seen in plenty of hair care products (and probably explains the brand name “Pantene”). While other internal factors also help, such as getting plenty of water and sleep, and cutting back on alcohol.
Due to being regularly coloured and heat styled, my hair isn’t super shiny. But it is pretty thick, strong and long, and a few external tricks that I have learned seem to help maintain this.
I wash my hair every other day with a shampoo that removes product build-up, such as Pantene’s Ice Shine, and then use Umberto Giannini’s Indulgent Beauty Moisture Mask as a conditioner. I also always use a serum, such as John Frieda’s classic Frizz Ease, which I run through my hair when it’s still damp.
These products help to protect against the effects of the environment, colouring, styling and hair lacquer. I also let my hair dry naturally as often as possible.
After I’ve washed, conditioned and applied serum – and always at night – I put my hair into two plaits. This encourages the follicles to lie flat while I’m asleep, prevents split ends and seems to help it grow.
The plaits are soft, not tightly braided, with a couple of inches left unplaited at the ends. This prevents the hair being stretched when its wet and pulling on the roots, which can eventually make it break off or go thin.
The result is a soft wave that can either be left or easily restyled. Plaits might not be everyone’s ideal night time look but, like retainers, the results are worth it!
Finally, I have my hair trimmed every three months, otherwise the split end fairy will always find me and more will have to be cut off the next time. No arguments, if I want longer and stronger hair.
Now, where did I put those walnuts…?
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