Better care for your hair: if you're plagued by thinning hair, freaky frizz, or chronic dandruff, we have a holistic plan for you

foR MANY health-conscious one area where many of us will try anything--whether it contains parabens or not--to tame frizz, banish dandruff, or plump up limp hair.

EXPERT HELP Since we believe your hair deserves the same natural attention as the rest of your body, we asked three experts to create a holistic plan for common hair problems.

HOLISTIC TIPS Our plan includes everything from nutritional boosts and herbal supplements to better ways to shampoo and brush.

PROBLEM: thinning hair

Holistic Help

1. EAT MORE PROTEIN. "Hair is made out of protein," says Philip Kingsley, a trichologist in London. "So make sure you eat lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, or cottage cheese at meals."

2. BE GENTLE! Thinning hair is exacerbated by tight braids, hard brushing, or pulling too hard when blow-drying, explains Kingsley.

3. GET A CHECKUP. Too much free testosterone can lead to hair loss, says naturopathic physician Laurie Steelsmith, N.D., the Hawaii-based author of Natural Choices for Women's Health (Three Rivers Press, 2005). Eating more soy can decrease levels of testosterone. Hair loss can be connected to a thyroid problem, too, so talk to your doctor if you're also experiencing dry skin, weight gain, and fatigue.

Quick Fixes

1. STIMULATE THE SCALP.

Hair loss is due to a lack of blood getting to hair follicles, says Steelsmith. Increasing circulation will get nutrients where they need to go, which will promote healthy growth. Scalp massage is an important part of this--try using ginger tea, which increases circulation.

2. USE HERBAL PRODUCTS.

Ones that contain stimulating herbs like white needle, arnica, and thyme are especially helpful. Try PHILIP KINGSLEY SCALP TONIC ($22; philipkingsley.com) or KIEHL'S SINCE 1851 RICE & WHEAT VOLUMIZlNG SHAMPOO ($18; kiehls.com). To style, look for products that won't weigh your hair down, like DOVE BODY & LIFT VOLUMIZING MOUSSE ($4; at drugstores).

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PROBLEM: frizzy hair; flaking scalp

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Holistic Help

1. DYE AND BLOW-DRY LESS. Color and heat damage the hair follicle and dry out your hair.

2. SHAMPOO LESS OFTEN

"Shampoo strips the scalp of natural oils that help hydrate and protect the hair," says New York City hairstylist John Masters, owner of the John Masters Salon.

3. EAT OILY FOODS AND GOOD FATS. Eating salmon, sardines, and mackerel increases your internal oil, leading to nourished hair, says Kingsley. Eating healthy fats like olive and flaxseed oils and walnuts will help boost oil production at your scalp, he explains.

Quick Fixes

1. GET A SCALP TREATMENT.

Oil nourish and hydrate the scalp and hair. Make your own treatment by blending half an ounce of olive and jojoba oils one mashed avocado. Apply in a steam room or steamy bathroom (heat helps open follicles and pores).

2. USE MOISTURIZERS.

Try a shampoo made for dry hair, like ALTERINA HEMP WITH ORGANICS COLOR HOLD REPAIR SHAMPOO ($23; 4alterna.com) and a good deep-conditioning treatment with shea butter, avocado oil, or cedarwood. GARNIER FRUCTIS STRENGTH & REPAIR MELTING MASQUE ($4; at drugstores) contains avocado oil. Avoid silicone, which coats the hair shaft but doesn't actually moisturize the hair. Look instead for natural oils to battle flyaways. DAVINES INVISIBLE HONEY GEL ($20; davines.com), for instance, contains castor oil.

The word shampoo comes from the Hindu word champo, which means "to massage" or "to knead."

PROBLEM: oily scalp, dandruff

Holistic Help

1. WASH DAILY. Shampoo every day to help combat a greasy head.

2. GET YOUR OMEGA-3S. Healthy oils help regulate oil production, says Steelsmith. Zinc (found in oysters, beef, pork, and chicken legs) is known to ease an oily scalp.

3. TAME YOUR TUMMY.

Dandruff is connected to an unhealthy digestive system (overgrowth of yeast or bacteria, for example), explains Steelsmith. To balance any overgrowth, take a probiotic supplement and eat garlic and oregano, which help kill bad yeast.

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Quick Fixes

1. TRY HERBS. Look for products that contain sage or soothing chamomile, which have astringent, antibacterial qualities. Choose ALBA BOTANICA DETANGLING CONDITIONER ($10; albabotanica.com) with chamomile or JOHN MASTERS ORGANICS ZINC & SAGE SHAMPOO WITH CONDITIONER ($20; johnmasters.com).

2. FORTIFY WITH ZINC. This mineral helps stop dandruff and reduces scalp irritation, says Masters. Look for a shampoo with zinc in it, like HEAD & SHOULDERS CITRUS BREEZE DANDRUFF SHAMPOO ($5; at drugstores).

COPYRIGHT 2008 Weider Publications
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