How your diet could be affecting your hair and scalp

Is there a dandruff diet? Top trichologist Stephanie Sey explains how what you eat could affect your hair and scalp

A dry, itchy scalp can be frustrating, and the dandruff flakes that come with it can leave you feeling embarrassed.

However, keeping your scalp healthy needn’t be a hard task according to top trichologist Stephanie Sey. She explains that your diet is hugely important to the health of your hair and it plays a part in the most common hair and scalp problems.

‘A balanced diet, comprising of carbohydrates, healthy fats, proteins, fibre, vitamins and minerals is the best thing for the hair, Stephanie says. 

Top trichologist Stephanie Sey explains that your diet is hugely important to the health of your hair and it plays a part in the most common hair and scalp problems

Top trichologist Stephanie Sey explains that your diet is hugely important to the health of your hair and it plays a part in the most common hair and scalp problems

‘Eating a diet that is rich in fresh vegetables, meat, and fruit supports healthy growth for thick, full hair.’

She adds: ‘Processed foods like fast food and ready meals are typically high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats as well as chemical additives. These foods typically have very little in the way of the nutrients that our body needs to stay healthy, such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

‘The hair is the very last systems in your body to receive nutrients (as it is one of the least essential), so if your body is not receiving adequate nutrients, your hair will likely be affected.’

To ensure you’re not missing out on vital nutrients and minerals, Stephanie recommends ensuring your diet includes foods such as protein (hair is made of protein) to make your locks strong and promote growth, as well as fish to provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for sebum production to keep your hair and scalp moisturised.

While a good diet is useful for healthy hair and scalp, a good shampoo is also essential. 

Stephanie’s Scalp Food Dos and Don’ts 

EAT

  • Green leafy vegetables
  •  Legumes such as beans
  • Healthy Fats – like avocado, and oily fish
  • Water
  • Proteins – fish, meat, eggs 

AVOID 

  • Fast food
  • Sweets
  • Chocolate
  • Biscuits
  • Fizzy drinks 

If you’re looking to score a healthier head of hair, you may want to introduce a shampoo into your routine that treats the root cause as opposed to just the symptoms.

Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is no stranger to scalp health and preventing dandruff. The brand is a tried-and-true solution for thousands of Amazon shoppers, who have awarded the affordable shampoo an average star rating of 4.5 out of 5 from over 4,300 reviews. 

Shoppers say the £5 shampoo relieves the symptoms of dandruff and soothes a red and itchy scalp without stripping your hair.

‘This stuff is absolutely amazing,’ writes one Amazon shopper in their review. ‘I had dandruff for years also dry skin on [my] face at times. This completely cleared it up in one week. A big thumbs up. I can’t recommend this stuff enough.’

The medicated formula, which contains 2 per cent ketoconazole; a powerful anti-fungal ingredient, is a big hit as it gets to work fast, helping treat the underlying cause of the condition and restoring the scalp to its normal healthy state.

Stepahine says: ‘Ketoconazole is an anti-fungal agent that stops the growth of the yeast malassezia.

‘Malassezia is a contributing factor to dandruff, so using Nizoral helps control and effectively treat the cause, as well as the symptoms.’

For best results, apply a small amount of the shampoo to your hand and massage into a lather, leave on the scalp for an optimum time of three to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

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source: dailymail.co.uk