STRESS AND HAIR LOSS

Did you know there are 100,000 hair follicles on your scalp, give or take a few, and they are constantly going through their natural growth cycle. When we suffer stress, as I know many of us are right now, this normal cycle of growth is restricted and can result in hair loss. This is because when we are under pressure, our brain thinks it needs to prepare for something akin to running a marathon. To cope with this it goes into survival mode; the vitamins and minerals stored in our hair and skin are used in other parts of our body to protect from the shock.

COLLAGEN

Our hair is constantly growing and shedding, but when you are dealing with stressful situations you'll notice your crowning glory starts to lose its lustre. The benefits of taking regular shots of collagen will show quickly. Within a couple of days your hair will feel thicker and healthier; you'll notice more wispy bits appearing along your forehead; and your eye lashes start to grow and eyebrows fill out at the edges.

There's truth in the old wives tale that brushing your hair 100 times a night can help improve its condition. This was in the days before conditioners, so over-brushing encouraged the natural oils to get to work, but it also stimulates the blood flow and collagen production.

TRY MY COLLAGEN DROPS: By including collagen in your daily routine you can boost hair volume, growth and regeneration – you can even add a few Collagen Drops to your regular shampoo and conditioner. You can read more here.

DID YOU KNOW:  Taking collagen daily can actually make your hair more vibrant and allow its natural highlights to show through. It contributes to the healthy structure of hair follicles, which produce the pigments that gives your hair its colour.

VITAMIN D

The sunshine vitamin is produced in response to sunlight and plays a vital role in the protection and rejuvenation of your skin as well as stimulating hair follicles. To get the most benefits, look for an oil based product - the powder versions are made from sheep's wool and are not as effective because the body has a harder time absorbing them.

TRY MY INNER SHINE: I'll share a story about my mother-in-law; she was being very cranky and feeling low so I asked her if she was taking vitamin D supplements. She said she was but I realised it was one made from powder. So I gave her my Inner Shine to try and now she's full of energy and feeling much happier. So much so, she sent me a big bunch of flowers to say thank you! This is because I have used vitamin D3 which as well as helping boost hair growth it also boosts your mood.

DID YOU KNOW:  If you wear sunglasses on sunny day it can limit the amount of vitamin D you get. So next time you’re soaking up the sun, leave your sunglasses off for 15 minutes; this way the vitamin is activated and your skin absorbs the rest.

I've shared the two photos at the top of this blog to show you how healthy my hair is looking at the moment. Many of you may be aware that I have recently suffered the loss of my sister Anne and I knew the grief I've felt could have a severe impact on my hair. So over the last month I've continued to take my doses of Collagen Drops and an Inner Shine supplement each day, and I've managed to fight off any potential damage.

DID YOU KNOW: It's far healthier for your hair if you don't wash it every day, especially in warmer weather. Over-washing strips out the natural oils, causes more split ends, dries it out and increases grease. In fact I only wash mine every seven days, sometimes using a dry shampoo by day six, and that way I'm not over-styling or using heated appliances on it very often.