Whether you’re heading to the Oscars, a fundraiser or date night, you can implement these tips for red-carpet ready hair and skin. 

For Oscar-Winning Hair

1. Friction is the enemy. Avoid vigorously drying your hair because it creates friction (pat dry with a super-absorbent towel or soft white t-shirt instead). Damaged hair is even more prone to the effects of friction. Also, do use conditioner every time you shower because it works to reduce friction between hair follicles.

2. So is sunlight. According to Hairscience.com, healthy hair “can absorb more than 30% of its own weight of water” and damaged hair can absorb up to 45%. This water absorption amplifies the damaging effect of sunlight.

3. Don’t overdo the shampoo. Avoid using it every time you shower because shampoo works to strip the hair’s naturally occurring oils that promote soft and healthy hair. Try dry shampoo to get you through no-wash days and think about washing only every 2-3 days.

4. Feed your follicles. Though this won’t have an instant effect (think more in terms of 6-12 months), eating your B vitamins will promote healthy hair. Eggs, chicken, salmon, pork, beans and peanut butter are all good B vitamin sources. Iron, protein and protein-forming vitamins like selenium, copper and magnesium are also important for hair health. In general, hair loss can be an indicator of vitamin deficiency, so be sure to eat healthfully for your hair’s sake.

5. Try a soothing scalp massage. Scalp massage boosts circulation and feels great. Start with a base oil like jojoba, vitamin E or olive oil and add an essential oil like rosemary, cedarwood or chamomile to promote hair growth. You can also call (805) 770-2607 to book an appointment with Jenny, our in-house massage therapist!

Skin So Luminous The Academy Will Be Thanking You!

1. Hydrate – The skin is an organ, made up of cells that are mostly made up of water. When skin is not properly hydrated, it presents itself as tight, dry or flakey. University of Wisconsin Health suggests not only drinking at least eight glasses of water per day, but also hydrating with moisturizer within two minutes of taking a shower.

2. Avoid irritants – Beware changing your soap and detergents as an important event approaches. The skin may have odd reactions to a new laundry detergent, certain fabrics or even certain foods. Are you exposing yourself to these 12 top skin irritants?

3. How often should I exfoliate? There are oodles of recommendations on the internet about whether to exfoliate or not, and if so, how often. There’s so much variation in recommendations because, really, it depends. You can try once or twice a week and increase from there. Over-exfoliation presents itself as red and sensitive to the touch. You may find that you can increase the frequency of exfoliation during the summer.

4. Not too hot! Even though there’s no better feeling than a hot shower on a cold day, resist the urge to turn the heat full-blast because the hot water strips our skin of natural oils. If the idea of a lukewarm shower doesn’t sound cool to you, employ Prevention magazine’s tip of shortening your shower to 5-10 minutes max.

5. Sun can cause damage even when it’s cloudy – So don’t forget a broad-spectrum sunscreen even when the sun’s not shining. Scripps Clinic offers additional tips to alleviate sun-damaged skin.

6. Choose Foods for optimal skin health: The Mayo Clinic suggests these foods as promoters of healthy skin: beans, peas, lentils, and healthy fats found in nuts, salmon and other fatty fish. They also list the following fruits and veggies as skin-friendly: tomatoes, blueberries, yellow/orange fruits including carrots & apricots, spinach and other leafy greens. Conversely, they warn against processed or refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats as detrimental for skin health – and health in general.

Let the Nest be your fountain of youth. Contact Dr. Kristi for more anti-aging information.