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4 remedies for damaged hair

For the new converts to naturalness who are looking to revive damaged hair, or the curly whose hair simply took a turn for the worse, don’t fret — there are simple things you can do to get your hair back on track.

1. Trim Often!

Word to the wise: damaged hair is hard to fix. I know you love the length and parting with more than half an inch feels like you’re losing a limb, but this sacrifice has to be made. Focus all of your products, time and attention to the part of the hair shaft that will benefit from it, not ends that will never bounce back.

For light damage, consider cutting off an inch all around. For major damage, thinning and severely split ends, consider cutting off a lot more and evening out your hair all around. Give yourself a good starting point for your healthy hair journey and enjoy easier detangling sessions and stronger, more responsive hair.

2. Major Deep Conditioning

This step is the key to getting back on track and getting your hair to the point where it no longer breaks. To start off, I would suggest a heavy protein treatment to repair the hair followed by an intensive moisture treatment to give the hair back its elasticity and prevent the hair from snapping and breaking when manipulated.

As time wears on and your hair health increases, cut back on your protein treatments and their intensity by doing them less often and using more natural sources like egg and mayonnaise. As you do this, increase the number of times you do moisturizing deep conditioning treatments.

Also to help the hair retain more moisture, try to balance its porosity. The hair shaft has tiny shingle like structures surrounding it. Ideally they will be slightly raised to allow moisture to enter while making it difficult for it to escape. When hair is damaged, especially from chemical processes like relaxers, the hairs cuticle becomes raised making moisture retention difficult. The use of slightly acidic substances aid in closing the cuticle to help the hair shaft hold onto more moisture.

One way to incorporate more acid into your routine is to perform apple cider vinegar rinses. To do this, dilute 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 2 cups of room temperature distilled water and use it as your final rinse after cleansing. Also try incorporating aloe vera gel and juice into your regimen as it, too, is slightly acidic.

3. Protective Styles

During this period your hair is at its weakest so manipulating it often can possible lead to more damage and breakage. This is no time for elaborate hairstyles and daily styling. Your hair needs time to repair itself so try putting in styles that will help you to keep your hands and tools out of your hair, protect your ends, are easy to put in and do not put unnecessary stress or tension on the hair. Try styles like medium sized twists and braids and wigs and properly installed weaves. During this time avoid styles like buns and extension braids, which can put added stress to the hair and cause even more breakage.

4. Growth Aids

I am going to start this off by saying that I really don’t think that there is a product that can give you more hair growth. I simply believe that products and supplements only maximize your hairs ability to grow by correcting any problems you had, be it a deficiency, dryness, etc.

Having said that, this is the time to pull out all the stops to nurse your hair back to health, so keep your scalp well moisturized with oils and massage it daily to increase blood flow. Use that mixture you’ve heard of for your thinning edges, apply your super moisturizer to your dry ends and stock up on your multivitamins. As long as you ensure you aren’t allergic to anything you’re using, then go all out to maximize hair growth and speed up the hair healing process

Source: Link

In the old days, malnutrition as a result of vitamin or
mineral deficiencies resulted in severe diseases and premature death.
Although malnutrition is not so severe today, most people still find it
difficult to get a balanced diet due to their hectic lifestyles. This
provides opportunities for vitamin and supplement producers to introduce
various products into the market.
According to Euromonitor, the global vitamin and supplement market is
currently worth about US$68 billion (RM214.2 billion).
Although competitive, the industry has been growing but at a slow pace
in recent years due to the economic crisis, regulation difficulties and an
over abundance of products in more mature markets.
However, for Golden Swan Biotech (GSB), opportunities for growth are
boundless as the healthcare and supplements industries in Malaysia and
globally continue to flourish once again.
Last August, the company introduced its latest product to the market,
Pure Beauty - an anti-aging nutrient drink - to meet the high demand for
quality nutrient drinks in the marketplace.
"We expect our domestic sales of the product to hit RM5 million by the
end of this year. We aim to triple that over the next few years by
expanding our business to overseas markets," executive director Jen Mensen
said.
The company is selling around 5,000 boxes of Pure Beauty a month since
the product was launched last August. It targets to hit 10,000 boxes a
month starting February.
Jen said said the product contains powerful antioxidants which work
synergistically from within to create what scientists call "antioxidant
cycling".
"It is a process in which antioxidants work together to extend each
other's lives and make them stronger," she said.
Jen said GSB is planning to tap the Indonesian, French, Brunei and
Singaporean markets by the second quarter of this year.
For many women, beauty means looking good - and beauty starts with a
healthy diet and anti-aging nutrition.
Beauty can be defined as the level of health appreciation, acceptance
and satisfaction with the way one looks, Jen said.
Jen believes beauty is not all about having a pretty face but it's about
living a happy, healthy life.
Speaking to Business Times in an interview recently, Jen said choosing a
healthy diet is surely the way to go when looking to enhance the
appearance of the skin from within.
"Beauty on the inside will reflect the outside. So, eating the right
food and eating in moderation is the way to living a healthy life," she
said.
GSB, formally known as Nur Resources Sdn Bhd, was founded in 2006 by
Jen.
Jen, who has more than 10 years of experience in health and beauty
nutrient industries, said the company offers a completely integrated
manufacturer of all types of nutritional supplements. These include
product development, raw material acquisition and custom formulations.
Jen said GSB has invested some RM100,000 in its research and development
and will continue to invest to pump up its product development.
She sees the domination of international brand names in over-the-
counter healthcare products segment as one of its challenges.
Other challenges include greater competition due to widespread use of
information technology, strict advertising regulations and claims of
product effectiveness by unethical companies, which affect the industry's
reputation.
As the company anticipates robust growth this year, it has allocated
RM30,000 a month for its marketing and advertising expenses. "We are
focused on branding and in meeting customers' needs," Jen said.
Based on its strong belief in people and customer satisfaction, GSB
markets its products via dealers. This is unlike other companies that
distribute their products through pharmacies, franchises or direct
selling.


Source:Business Times
Date: 09-01-2012
Author: Cheryl Yvonne Achu