Hair: The Mama years

Long, thick, hair

Hair... I've always taken it for granted. Growing up it was always a battle zone. My father, not mother, was obsessed with the care of me and my sister's hair. He made up all sorts of concoctions (avocado mask, egg mask, you name it, he tried it) and forced me to wear it through most of the day once a month. I thought he was crazy, but people always commented on how lustrous, long and beautiful my hair was. That was P.B. (pre-baby) of course.

Two pregnancies and five years later, I've lost, I've cried and mourned my hair. A bit excessive? Not when you're in the shower post pregnancy freaking out about the pile that comes off simply by touching it. For a lot of women, the hair comes back to it's normal state 6months to 1year after giving birth. This is a normal process, but for me...I lost my hair mojo.

Three weeks ago, my four year old cut a significant amount of hair off the top of my two year old's head. He proudly came into the kitchen carrying a pile of hair. He then proceeded to cut his own hair.

Off to the salon we went to fix my two year old's clownish hair-do before they took him off to the circus. I used this opportunity to get some pointers from our family hair stylist. I explained that P.B. my hair was thicker, weightier and shiny, but couldn't get it back to it's former lustrous state. It was now brittle, very dry and thin.

How to solve the hair conundrum. Having gone through the same dilema post baby, she recommended the below items:

• PHYTO phytophanere Paris - A hair & nail dietary supplement with vitamins and essential fatty acids. Uses all natural botanics. I've been taking it two weeks now (two caplets per day).
• Benefits:
  • Wheat Germ Oil provides antioxidant protection.
  • Borage Seed Oil increases shine.
  • Promotes healthy hair and nail growth.
  • Carrot Oil helps to boost skin radiance.

$50 average price (120 capsules)
Best price, $42.10 amazon.com

• ALFAPARF Semi Di Lino Diamante Cristalli Liquidi - Oil for luminosity and every hair type. Smells great. Linseed Extract & vitamin E anti-oxidant, seal the hair cuticle. Hair becomes softer and manageable. My hair is definitely softer. That wiry feeling is already gone.

$14 average price, .15oz bottle
Best price, $10.99 https://www.pandorabeauty.com/Alfaparf/

• Crede ER Treatment - A heavy hitter. This conditioning treatment is highly recommended for stressed out hair. Designed to moisturize dehydrated hair (especially fine hair). I apply it 5-10 minutes after shampooing and it has rejuvenated my hair almost instantly. I've applied it three times and my hair is already fuller, definitely not as brittle and more moisturized. It's a bit pricey but I think worth it. 
• If you're skeptical, check the reviews. There are a ton. http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=86151/Milbon_-_Crede_ER_Hair_Treatment/0/Treatments

25.4 Oz pictured above. Smaller sizes available.
$60 (25.4oz) average price
Best Price, $52.69 http://www.sleekhair.com/21500.html

Top 10 Healthy Foods for Healthy Hair

BUT... Outer beauty is not only affected by what you apply on the outside. Most importantly, it's what you're putting into your body that counts. Maybe you didn't have any hair issues post baby, but you stopped taking care of your self the way you should, or just simply never gave it a thought. Here are the Top 10 Healthy Foods for Healthy Hair according to WEBMD webmd.com (one of my favorite go to web sites for all medical questions).

1. Salmon - Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron.
2. Dark Green Vegetables - i.e Spinach, broccoli, are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner.
3. Beans - they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.
4. Nuts - Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.
5. Poultry - "Without adequate protein or with low-quality protein, one can experience weak brittle hair, while a profound protein deficiency can result in loss of hair color," Giancoli tells WebMD.
6. Eggs - They contain biotin and vitamin B-12, important beauty nutrients.
7. Whole Grains - whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, for a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.
8. Oysters -  zinc -- a powerful antioxidant
9. Low-fat dairy products -  like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources.
10. Carrots - An excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp along with good vision.
    Since a healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, you'd be wise to include carrots in your diet as snacks or toppings on your salad.

To read the full article, click the link below:

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/top-10-foods-for-healthy-hair