Healthier hair starts from your morning shower to when your head hits the pillow for bed. From detangling to trimming your hair ends, experts advise how to best care for your hair.
1. Wash Your Hair With Lukewarm Water
Washing your hair with lukewarm water helps prevent the heat from hot water drying it out. Hot water strips your scalp and hair from essential oils needed to keep your hair healthy. These oils work as a barrier for your hair, preventing it from over-drying and looking frayed. It’s tempting to step into a hot shower and start washing your tresses, but take a moment to cool the water temperature. Try detangling your hair and washing it in lukewarm water first. You can use the hot water for the rest of your shower.
2. Use Shampoo on Your Scalp Only
Use shampoo on your scalp only. Washing only your scalp protects your hair strands from the stripping effect of shampoo. It also helps prevent you from washing your hair strands too vigorously. Massage the shampoo on your scalp to loosen the dirt, then rinse your hair. The shampoo that runs down your hair strands as the water runs down is enough to clean it. Any more would be too drying.
3. Apply Conditioner to Your Hair Ends
Applying conditioner to the ends of your hair alone ensures you nourish the parts of your strands that need the most care. Conditioner on your scalp can be too heavy for your oil glands and may result in your hair being oily and heavy. Your scalp likely already does an excellent job of oiling your hair close to the roots. If you have long or curly tresses, these oils may have difficulty getting to your ends. This is where your conditioner helps. Apply conditioner to your hair ends as needed, leave it for two to three minutes, then rinse.
4. Use a Weekly Hair Mask
A weekly hair mask ensures you replenish any lost moisture and critical vitamins and minerals your hair lost during the week. A mask should be applied after your conditioner, preferably once a week. This is especially true if you use heat on your hair or are constantly outdoors. Hair masks also provide your hair with extra nourishment if you swim a lot. They give that added layer of moisture that a standard conditioner cannot.
5. Minimize Heat on Your Hair
Heat is one of the biggest culprits in hair damage and hair loss. Minimizing heat as much as possible can yield noticeable results. Hairdryers may not cause as much damage as flat irons as there’s no direct heat with dryers, but any heat can damage and dry your hair. Flat irons are notorious for being too hot, breaking down the protein building blocks of your strands. After washing your hair, dry it with an old t-shirt or microfiber towel and let it air dry. If you have to use heat, use a high-quality heat protectant.
6. Limit the Use of Chemicals
Like heat, some harsh chemicals change your hair structure, breaking down its building blocks. It’s best to steer clear of dyes, straightening creams and any chemical perms as best you can. Allow your hair to breathe and let its natural beauty shine through. Henna is a great alternative, provided you use the natural type. Go for rinse-out color wax if you want a change. For vibrant tresses, have regular trims.
7. Let Your Hair Loose
Tying your hair in a ponytail every day can weaken it and make it more prone to breakage. Your hair becomes weaker at the front as the pulling action slowly pulls at your roots. The longer your hair, the more damage this can cause due to the weight your front roots carry. You can still wear a ponytail if you change things up occasionally. Wear a looser ponytail, or make it lower. Check your scrunchies, too, as some materials can cause breakage. Throw away any elasticated ones and replace them with silk scrunchies.
8. Massage Your Scalp
Hair follicles on your scalp need stimulation to aid blood flow for hair growth. Oil or dry scalp massages provide this stimulation to your follicles. This stimulation, in turn, creates an optimal environment for your hair to grow. It exfoliates your scalp, too. Remember, your hair grows out of your scalp, and how you treat it can show in the condition of your hair. You can massage your scalp with only your fingers or use a carrier oil infused with essential oil.
9. Sleep on Silk Pillows
Unlike cotton pillowcases, your hair will glide on silk, and your ends won’t get snagged in the fibers. Silk is softer than cotton, so there’s less friction between your hair and the fabric. Less friction can reduce split ends and dryness. Silk pillows are also beneficial for your skin as it may help ease acne.
10. Protect Your Hair When Outdoors
It’s crucial to protect your hair from the sun, wind and pollution. These can strip your hair of natural oils and cause drying and damage. Wear a hat as much as you can and find a silk-lined one if possible. Look for a premium serum that coats the hair for sun protection, but only use this when needed. Too much can cause build-up. Chlorine and seawater can also be harsh on your hair. Before a swim, wet your hair and apply conditioner before tying it up.
11. Eat Your Way to Healthy Hair
A healthy scalp and strong hair start from the inside out. Certain nutrient-dense foods can help strengthen your hair better than topical treatments. Overall, choose whole foods wherever possible. Go for free-range meat and eggs and unprocessed foods. Some specific options to try are:
- Eggs: Organic eggs are rich in biotin and iron, which help promote strong and healthy hair.
- Beans: The protein composition in beans helps strengthen your hair.
- Carrots: This food isn’t only good for your eyes. It contains biotin, which promotes hair growth.
- Salmon: Salmon may help prevent hair loss due to its vitamin D properties.
- Avocados: Vitamins B12 and E in avocados can strengthen and add shine to your hair.
Synergy Wellness Is Your Trusted Partner for Healthier Hair
It’s easy to incorporate these 11 tips for healthier hair. Lifestyle changes and some simple alterations to how you care for your hair can all make an impact. You are what you eat, so adjusting your diet can help you have healthier, stronger hair. As our bodies change, however, we may need to give our tresses added care. Consulting a professional can give you the guidance you need in your hair growth journey.
Hair loss or thinning can have a variety of causes that you cannot diagnose on your own. That’s where Synergy Wellness can assist. We take a rejuvenating approach to hair loss. Your body’s own growth factors are used to stimulate hair growth using a regenerative method. For more information, fill out our online form. One of our professional team members will follow up with you promptly.
