Head's Up For Swimsuit Season

The warmer weather means swimsuit season is right around the corner so it is time to break out the salads, but will dieting hurt your hair? Our hair needs nutrients to grow—just like a toddler. If we want to maintain that quarter-to-half inch growth per month (meaning we can trim the old dead ends on a regular basis), we better take a look at what dieting and weight loss can do to our hair.

Every vitamin, mineral and amino acid we take into our mouth circulates throughout our body—including our hair follicles (and skin and nails). So while the right shampoos, conditioners and styling products (like the carefully-chosen selection at Believe) is important, they are only part of the story. Here's some things you should consider to keep your hair healthy, shiny and beautiful:

You Really Are What You Eat

Fresh fruit and vegetables (well washed so heavy metals contained in pesticides don't make it to your insides) and plenty of water (2.2 liters or 9 cups for women and 13 cups for men according to the latest Mayo clinic guidelines). Take a multivitamin to avoid brittle hair and includes these foods to do your hair good:

• Vegetables: Broccoli, spinach and Swiss chard contain lots of vitamins A&C—which is what your body needs to produce sebum, the natural hair conditioner. Carrots, a great source of Vitamin A will help your scalp stay healthy.
• Legumes: Beans, particularly kidney and lentil provide plenty of protein and iron, zinc and biotin for good hair growth.
• Salmon: Truly the king of fish, salmon is a treasure trove of natural nutrients your hair will love. Salmon contains Vitamins B-12 and iron for scalp health, but it is also chock full of high-quality omega-3 fatty acids, vital for shine. (If you can't stand fish, a tablespoon of ground flaxseed a day will also do the trick.)
• Poultry: Chicken, duck and turkey are great sources of protein, without which your hair gets weak, brittle (and starts to lose its color!)
• Nuts: Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid (one of the omega-3 fatty acids that helps the condition of your hair) and also has lots of zinc that, if you are lacking it, may cause hair shedding. (Other nuts to give a zinc boost are cashews, almonds and pecans.)
• Bacon: We know, we know...horror of horrors, especially when you are dieting, but in case you are tempted at the upcoming Mother's Day Brunch, bacon actually provides protein, zinc and Vitamin B for happy follicles.
• Eggs: Besides containing biotin and vitamin B-12 to help with shine, eggs are the best protein source you can find.
• Whole Grains: These don't only give your body long-term energy (to stick to that fitness plan?) but give you lots of iron, zinc and B vitamins to speed up hair growth.
• Beef/Lamb: These red meats not only give you b vitamins, zinc and protein but contains iron which you need for healthy (strong) hair and good growth.
• Oysters: They may not actually be an aphrodisiac, but they do provide zinc, leading to healthy hair.
• Diary Products: Besides providing the all-important calcium (needed for strong bones and hair), they also contain two high-quality protein sources--whey and casein.

Drastic Weight Loss Measures

If you are severely obese, you may be considering Gastric Bypass Surgery. One of the complications of that surgery is hair loss. To make up for the reduced calories, your body channels all nutrients to the organs that need them most—your hair doesn't make the cut. You body will send some strands in to resting stages and even may (temporarily) suspend production of new hair. Your hormones will be going a bit nuts after surgery, too, while the fat is being metabolized. The result may be some of your hair falls out.

To minimize the loss:

• Up your protein to 60-80 grams per day (ask your doctor).
• Consider putting off perms or color for a few months till your body adjusts.
• Avoid over-brushing and use a good brush when you do (we have a great selection at Believe).
• Indulge in scalp massages (Aestelance Oil Complex sold at Believe is great for massage) to send more blood to your scalp.
• Condition, condition, condition to make your hair as healthy as possible and minimize breakage.

Add biotin as a supplement (as you may have trouble getting enough with your diet restrictions).

Don't Neglect The Outside

You are probably cutting back on fats and oils to get into that bikini bod shape, so don't forget to add moisture to your hair from the outside as well. Use sulfate-free shampoo like Agadir, Chromastics or White Tea (all sold at Believe) to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oil, a light conditioner like Mud Mask after every shampoo, a dab of Aestelance butter to keep your scalp health and act as a leave-in conditioner and come into Believe once a month for a deep conditioning treatment. By the time you hit the beach, you'll be ready, inside and out.