Healthy Hair | How To Protect and Prevent Hair Damage

How To Protect and Prevent Hair Damage

We emphasis the importance of protecting your skin from UV rays but you should also remember to properly protect your hair follicles (skin cells) from UV radiation damage.  There are other causes that damage your hair and hair loss including certain ingredients in your hair care products, your diet and lifestyle.

Overexposure to the sun effects the protective barrier of natural oils we all have on our scalp by causing blood vessels to dilate and become inflamed. Sometimes this damage causes the synthesis of superoxide, a compound that may cause hair follicles to switch off growth and enter the shedding phase, which leads to … hair loss!*

Wear a Hat

Soul Story Beauty Tip: The easiest way to protect your hair follicles.

The easiest way to protect your hair follicles.  If you decide to wear a large brim hat, the hat provides dual protection by providing shade to your skin from UVB rays.  Hats can also be a great fashion accessory to complete your outfit.

Apply SPF for Hair

There are now hair products with SPF that specifically help your hair from UV radiation.  There are leave in serum and conditioners.  Alternatively, you can use the same sunscreen that you use for your face, neck and chest to your hair.  Tip: rub the sunscreen between your hands and apply it in your hands and/or use a brush to comb it through your hair.  Make sure you reapply after your swim.

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Use Conditioner

If your hair is already dry and brittle, you can apply moisture by using nourishing conditioner.  For example, if you are going to the pool or ocean, apply coconut oil. This will protect your hair from chemicals such as chlorine that strip your hair from its natural and protective oils.

Make sure to apply healthy and rich conditioner that help restore from damaged hair.

Use lukewarm water.  Do not wash or rinse your hair with hot water.  Only use cold to lukewarm water.

Iron

Iron is really important for high growth and hair health.  One of the symptoms of being iron deficient is hair loss.  To boost your iron levels, have iron supplements and/or eat iron rich foods such as red meat, green leafy vegetables, beans and lentils, pistachios, tofu and clams and oyster.

Avoid Certain Ingredients

Select shampoos and conditioners formulated without sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) found in many inexpensive shampoos because they produce a large amount of foam. Formaldehyde is used in some shampoos and conditioners, including some baby shampoos, as a preservative because of its low cost and disinfectant qualities. Formaldehyde may cause damage to DNA, and excessive exposure to formaldehyde may cause some hair loss. **

Avoid the Heat

Soul Story Beauty Tip: Limit using blow dryers, flat irons and hair curlers.

If your hair already get enough UV radiation from the sun, limit using blow dryers, flat irons and hair curlers.  If you do need to use the hair dryer, make sure to use it at low to medium heat.

Natural DIY At Home:

Avocado Hair Mask to help nourish dry and damaged hair.

Rinse before you shampoo: use Apple Cider Vinegar as an extra treatment to help your hair look brighter and help treat dandruff.

Damage hair can only be treated to appear healthy but there is no long term fix.  The only way to have healthy hair is to cut it and regrow.  While you are re-growing your hair, prevent dry, brittle and hair loss by using sun protection, eat healthy, avoid heat and use healthy to natural products.

*Source: MindBodyGreen

**Source: Livingstrong