Pool Hair Care || Using Vitamin C to Neutralize Chlorine

The weather is warm.  You go for a swim in the pool.  Even after taking all the measures necessary to prevent the pool water from reaching your hair, perhaps your tresses still get drenched ... and encounter chlorine.  Fortunately, there are shampoos on the market that are specifically made to remove chlorine from your hair, but what if you want a cheaper or natural alternative?

Ascorbic acid is one option.  There are quite a few experiments (and studies) out there involving the use of this form of vitamin C to neutralize chlorine in the realm of water treatment.  Additionally, ascorbic acid can be purchased online or in certain health stores in capsule, crystalline, or other forms.

If you are interested in making your own mixture to remove chlorine from your hair, do read more about ascorbic acid as an option.

SOURCES:
VITAMIN C DECHLORINATION IN WATER SYSTEMS
VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID)
ASCORBIC ACID REDUCTION OF RESIDUAL ACTIVE CHLORINE IN WATER (2000)

Fruit & Veggie Haul: Farmers' Market Style

Last Saturday, I went to the Farmers' Market to restock on fresh fruits and vegetables. Here's what I bought at each station:

For $9:
-2 avocados (vitamin K, omega-6)
-7 tomatoes (vitamin A, C)
-1 sweet onion (MSM)
-1 red pepper (vitamin A, C)
-4 bananas (potassium, dietary fiber)

For $3:
-strawberries (vitamin C)

For $2:
-tons of spinach (vitamin A)

The price of the avocados, tomatoes, onion, red pepper, and spinach were comparable to that of Walmart. The strawberries? Eh, not so much. The quality of the produce, however, certainly exceeds that of Walmart. There is no comparison there.

WALMART price comparison:
-2 avocados + 7 tomatoes + 1 sweet onion + 1 red pepper + bananas = $8.49*
-strawberries - 1.58
-spinach ~ $2.64

*avocados - $1.88/ea; tomatoes - $1.38/lb; sweet onion - $1.28/lb; red pepper - 1.68/ea; bananas ~ $0.39

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MORE READS:
STRAWBERRIES
GREEN VEGETABLES
BANANA SMOOTHIE
BANANA DEEP CONDITIONER
AVOCADO DEEP CONDITIONER

Hey, Med School: Skin Care, Please?

Our current Healthy Hair Feature also shares her skin routine:

"Wash face 2x's per day. In the morning, I use a moisturizing cleanser with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (like Glycolic Acid or Citric Acid) which everyone in there mid-20's and older should start using now to prevent fine lines and wrinkles and to protect the delicate skin on your face throughout the day. I follow this with a serum containing Vitamin C (more protection) and caffeine (increases the circulation to the face and wakes the skin up!). Lastly, I use a moisturizer with SPF 30; wearing sunblock is the single most important thing you can do now to improve the health of your skin! At night I wash my face with an exfoliating cleanser and I put on a night serum containing Retinol which will further prevent fine lines and wrinkles from appearing."

I can certainly attest to the wonders of a night cream containing retinol; skin renewal and repair after exposure to sun, makeup, etc. is the name of the game. Also, I second the use of a moisturizer containing sunscreen. Dermatologists highly recommend a minimum of SPF 30.

Strawberries for A Sweet Tooth

So I've been having a serious sweet tooth lately. Chocolate cake. Oreos. Ferrero Rocher. Etc. Um ... yeah. Me being me, I had to nip this indulgence in the butt fast.

Fortunately, there are healthier alternatives that can tame this tooth. Smoothies, especially those with peanut butter. Sometimes a bowl of cereal will do the trick for me. Yogurt. This weekend I discovered another option - strawberries. The sweet (and not so much the sour) kind. Yes, strawberries. Here's the scoop on the nutrition facts:

*One cup of strawberries contains almost 150% Vitamin C and 30% Manganese.
*Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is beneficial for the skin, hair, and immune system. It is said to improve scalp circulation.
*Manganese is said to prevent slow hair growth.

So if you have a sweet tooth, maybe strawberries will work for you. If not, there are plenty of other fruits from which to choose. After all, mangos and bananas are much better for your hair and body than Skittles and ice cream.

**According to one article, strawberries are a fine choice for those with type II diabetes. However, as always, please CONSULT YOU DOCTOR before making any changes to your diet.

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STRAWBERRY NUTRITION FACTS
STRAWBERRY & DIABETES
VITAMIN C BENEFITS
VITAMINS FOR THE HAIR

Final Wednesday's Hair Growth Tip!

10. Take your multivitamins!

I'm sure many of you have heard this before, so this may just be a reminder. For optimal hair growth, our body needs adequate nutrients from the foods we eat. Halt! Did you know that canned and frozen vegetables and fruits contain fewer vitamins than fresh vegetables and fruits? Did you know that boiled, steamed (yes, steamed), and microwaved veggies contain fewer nutrients than raw veggies? The same is true for certain meats, dairy products, etc. Therefore, it is possible that some of us are not absorbing sufficient nutrients from the "healthy" foods we do eat. With that being said, be sure to purchase and prepare your food for optimal nutrient absorption, or at the very least, invest in a good multi-vitamin to make up for that slack.

SOURCE & OTHER READS:
WOMEN & VITAMINS
VITAMIN DOSAGE
VITAMINS & COOKING METHODS
VITAMIN B-12 & MICROWAVE
VITAMIN B-6 & MICROWAVE
VITAMIN C & COOKING METHODS
VITAMIN C & FOOD PREPARATION
MULTIVITAMINS & CANCER