Beauty From The Inside OutOctober 21, 2013

Beauty From The Inside Out: Eating And Exercising Your Way To Healthy Hair

Rene Syler

Survivor Stories 2013: Lisa Stevenson

Survivor Stories 2013: Mary Beth White

Beauty From The Inside Out:
Eating And Exercising Your Way To Healthy Hair

If you want healthy hair it starts with your diet. When you incorporate healthy foods and habits into your lifestyle, it will show through your hair and skin. When it comes to beauty, Syreeta Scott CEO of Duafe Hoistic Hair Care understands that beauty should penetrate through your mind, body, and soul. In order to activate this concept Scott also understands that it takes a sense of balance. While working in corporate America she felt as if something was missing from her life and realized a change was in order. “I don’t believe in being in a miserable space,” she says.

With this belief, Scott decided to follow her dreams in 2001 and start her journey in the industry. She opened Duafe, a salon in Philadelphia, that specializes in holistic natural hair care. All of the products that she uses in her salon are from her own product line and all natural, something her famous clients like Janet Jackson, Bill Cosby, The Roots, ?uestLove and Smokey Robinson. For someone who seemed to have it all she felt an internal disconnect and wanted to tap in. There comes a time when you have to create a balanced space for yourself in order to reach your full potential. Scott realized when it comes to life, “balance is a choice, and it boils down to making proper decisions, prayer, exercise, and having gratitude,” she says. “Every new day is another opportunity to experience a miracle. Change your mind, you only have one life to live.”

You can purchase Scott’s products at Duafe Salon’s e-commerce store.

Scott shares four lifestyle tips that will keep your hair healthy.

1 of 4

1. LUBRICATE THE BODY WITH HEALTHY
FOODS AND LOTS OF WATER

If you need to improve your eating habits, make subtle shifts. Try eating more vegetables and fruits such as kale, swiss chard, spinach, strawberries, and blueberries. As you begin to eat healthier, you will notice you hair will have a natural shine and less dandruff for those who are prone to dryness. Think of creative ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your day. Snack on walnuts and apples if you have a craving for sweets. For lunch think about fixing a super green salad packed with romaine, kale, spinach topped with fruit and nuts.

2. EXERCISE

We all know exercise is a wonderful way to stay healthy. When we work out it stimulates blood circulation. In turn this stimulates the hair follicles and aids in hair growth. Working out is also a way to release stress. If there are people who are losing their hair or it is thinning because of stress, this will help aid in hair growth and benefit the overall body.

3. KEEP YOUR HAIR TRIMMED

Trims are important because this keeps damaged ends at bay. Scott encourages everyone to “find a stylist that knows the difference between a trim and a cut.” With a trim it is important to understand that the hair has multiple layers. When the cuticle of the hair is damaged, the hair splits lengthwise and causes your hair to break off. Scott recommends getting your hair trimmed every 4-6 weeks.

4. FIND THE RIGHT PRODUCTS FOR YOUR HAIR

“If you don’t know the ingredients, look it up. You will be surprised,” says Scott. There are many chemicals that are in shampoos and conditioners alone that we should avoid. Turn your products over to the ingredients. You may see Propilene Glycol, this is an industrial antifreeze, it is found in many shampoos and moisturizers. You may also see Ethyl Acetate, this chemical may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to the liver and kidneys. It is important to educate ourselves on what we are using on our bodies.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************

Yvelette Stines is a writer and educator. You can find her work in Essence, Heart and Soul, Green Build and Design, The Grio, and Jones Magazine just to name a few. Her blog Calming Corners encourages readers to live a calm and healthy lifestyle and her book Vernon the Vegetable Man motivates children to choose healthy living and eating habits. Her background in communications has led her to work for many clients including TNT and OWN.