Featuring Dr. April Graham

Photo credit: One Beautiful Life Photo

What is your name? Dr. April Graham.

How old are you? 40.

Where are you from? Salt Lake City, UT and Olympia, WA. I now live in Longmont, Colorado and am loving it.

What is your background? I worked in corporate health and wellness, and competed in mountain bike races and XTERRA (off road) triathlons before I went to Bastyr University to become a Naturopathic Doctor.

In a few sentences, tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. I am a Naturopathic Doctor and Certified Exercise Physiologist. I work with athletes to help them optimize performance in sport and overcome nagging injuries. I also work with with people to balance their hormones, improve their fertility, to get out of chronic pain, to overcome chronic health conditions, and to just feel their best!

What are you currently doing for hair health and care? I am so fortunate that my sister Julia Ward just so happens to be the best hair stylist in world! Okay, I am biased, but she is amazing because she is a holistic hair stylist, and does not compromise when it comes to beauty or health! She keeps my hair cut on trend, but the health of my hair is up to me. I take a great prenatal vitamin, try to get a rainbow of colors in my diet every day, and take a collagen supplement, among other things.

Are you using any natural hair products (if yes, what are they and what do you like or not like about them)? What works well for you and what doesn’t?
Yes, I use a professional product line called Oway for my shampoo, conditioner, and styling products. It is an organic product line based in Italy. Their containers are recyclable, the company takes measures to protect the environment, and they use biodynamic ingredients when possible. They make use of essential oils which keeps your hair nourished and smelling great There are no parabens or synthetic fragrances. This is the only organic product line that I have found that doesn't dry my fine hair out.

I wash my hair about every three days and use a Oway's dry shampoo in the interim. I use a smoothing creme and let my hair air dry (although, I do blow dry and flat iron my bangs). I love putting my hair up in pony tail, so that is how I often wear it. Rarely, I'll put some curls in my hair.

What do you like about your hair and what has taken some time for you to accept about your hair? I love my hair color (dark brown). I am starting to get some gray hairs, but I am embracing it! I love that my hair has some body and wave, but don't like how frizzy it can get! Moving to a drier climate has done wonders for my hair. My hair is very fine which can be frustrating at times. I do find that the healthier I am, the thicker and shinier my hair is.

What are some helpful tips you can share with other readers?
Your hair is an indication of your health. If your hair is falling out more than normal, or has lost its luster, consider your nutrition, or how well you are digesting and absorbing your foods. I find that helping patients heal their gut and eat the right foods, ultimately leads to beautiful skin and hair. Your natural hair may never be thick and long like a princess (or Lena!), but your hair can look beautiful and healthy with the right health care, nutrition, hair products, and stylist!

Please share something different, interesting, or funny about yourself.
I managed to break my hand (boxer's fracture) on the treadmill at Orange Theory fitness from running too fast and swinging my arms too hard. It is dark in there...watch out, friends! :-) And to make matters worse, I continued the work out (rowing, of all things) after breaking my hand. I guess you can say I am competitive (or just ridiculous).

If you would like to link information about yourself and how to contact you please list your website for other readers to look at. www.altheamed.com