The mane thing: get healthy hair, naturally - bodycare

Better Nutrition, Nov, 2002 by Lisa Turner

Understanding the anatomy of hair is important to understanding how to treat it. The outer portion--the cuticle--protects the inside, or cortex. If the cuticle is disturbed, hair can lose its shine. And cuticle damage can result in dull, dry, broken strands.

While external factors such as sun, wind, chemicals, coloring and excess styling can make hair flat and dull, internal factors affect hair too.

"A healthy diet is the best way to maintain healthy hair," says Jeffrey Light, president of Jason Natural Cosmetics. "Protein, biotin, iron, zinc and fatty acids are all beneficial to hair." Other lifestyle factors such as smoking and inadequate exercise decrease circulation to the scalp, making hair dull and dry.

Ready for lush locks? This simple program can restore luster, body and health to distressed tresses.

shampoo. Shampooing two to four times a week is ideal for removing residue that dulls shine and lessens body. A big, foamy lather shouldn't be your goal: Voluminous suds mean your shampoo contains harsh detergents.

Use a natural shampoo that contains ingredients such as keratin, rosemary, horsetail, plant proteins and seaweed extract.

Some to try: Nature's Gate's Chamomile and Lemon Verbena Shampoo, Dr. Hauschka's Pure Shampoo, Jason's Damage Control Creme Shampoo, Mill Creek's Keratin Shampoo, Aubrey's Blue Green Algae Shampoo.

condition. Condition even short or oily hair after every shampoo. Conditioners with plant oils and vitamins nourish hair--seek out horsetail, nettles, jojoba oil, biotin, aloe panthenol and henna.

Some to try: Mill Creek's Biotin H-24 Conditioner, Aubrey's Blue Green Algae Cream Rinse, Jason's Natural Sea Kelp Conditioner, Nature's Gate's Herbal Conditioner, Penny Island's Ultra Hair Conditioner.

style. Never brush wet hair. Instead, use a wide-toothed comb. And style with care. "Hair dryers can cause split ends and dull hair," says Shelly Rubenstein, of Nature's Gate. "So .use the lowest temperature setting and increase only if necessary. Allow your hair to air dry once a week to give it a break."

Use natural sprays, mousses or gels that won't dry out hair. Search for one that's free of isopropyl alcohol, and use styling products made with botanicals to help repair hair.

Some to try: Jason's Hi-Shine Styling Gel, Mill Creek's Extra Body Silk Styling Gel, Naturade's AV80 Styling Spray, Aura Cacia's Amplifying Foam.

repair. For dry, brittle locks, try a deep conditioner once a week. Leave-in conditioners, lotions and oils are good for coarse or wiry hair and for sun protection.

To treat an itchy, flaking scalp, try products with tea tree oil, rosemary, neem or colloidal sulfur. A clarifying rinse or shampoo with rosemary or alpha and beta hydroxy acids will remove dead skin and residue from gels and conditioners.

Some to try: Dr. Hauschka's Neem Hair Lotion, Nature's Gate's Rainwater Tea Tree Shampoo, Jason's Dandruff Relief Shampoo, Aubrey's Rosemary and Sage Hair and Scalp Rinse.