by MARNÉ AMOGUIS
Everyone wants beautiful, shiny, luscious hair, but getting that hair can be difficult depending on the type of hair you have. Luckily, no matter the texture and type of your hair, anyone can get healthier hair that makes them look and feel their best. Here are the best ways to get healthier hair.
1. Eat Healthily
Eating well can improve your health in more ways than one. While it can help you keep the pounds off, it can also promote skin and hair health. A diet with nutrients, including one with the healthy benefits of fruit and vegetables, improves the chances of healthy hair follicles, which means less breakage and shinier strands. Opt for food that’s rich in iron and vitamin D, which can help build and strengthen hair.
2. Use The Right Products
Not all hair products are created equal, and not all hair products are right for your hair. Finding the right hair care products based on the type and texture of your hair can help it become healthier and maintain its appearance. You can find many different types of hair care products labeled for your hair type. For example, you can find products for curly hair to add moisture and bounce to your curls.
3. Stay Healthy
Your hair grows from your body, so it’s only natural you should try to improve your health to improve your hair. After all, you can’t expect a flower to grow in unhealthy soil. If you lack essential vitamins and minerals, so does your hair. You must eat a healthy diet and work out to get your blood flowing. You should also visit your doctor for a yearly physical to check for health problems that might cause dry, damaged, or thinning hair.
4. Manage Your Stress
As you may already know, stress affects your physical and mental health. When you’re stressed, your body has to comply with the demands placed upon it, which distracts it from focusing on sending nutrients to your scalp and hair. Additionally, stressful events can cause hair loss. Luckily, hair loss from stress decreases as the stress starts to fade away. That being said, you must manage stress so you can avoid hair loss. Not only that, but you should have management techniques that you use to deal with stressful events that you can’t otherwise avoid.
5. Lower The Heat
Consider lowering the heat if you use a blow dryer or hair straightener every day. Overworking your hair can impact the health of your hair, which means more dead ends and frizz. Styling your hair with hairdryers, curlers, and straighteners causes breaks in your hair that can negatively impact its health and cause breakage.
If possible, consider discontinuing the use of hot tools for styling your hair. Instead, find ways you can style your natural hair that doesn’t involve blow dryers or straighteners. For example, if you have curly hair, consider looking for mousse or styling products that don’t require you to use heat.
6. Be Mindful Of Your Hair
Your hair and scalp are different from everyone else’s. Your friends’ hair products might not work for you, especially if they have a different hair texture. Pay attention to the way your hair reacts to different products. This may take a bit of experimentation. For example, if you try mousse for the first time, consider how your hair looks and feels afterward.
If you’re experimenting, consider keeping a notepad of your hair products and only try one at a time to see how your hair reacts. For example, when trying a new texturizing hairspray, wait a few hours, then look in the mirror to see if your hair has maintained its desired shape or if the additional texture causes frizz or too much volume.
7. Consider Keratin Products
Keratin is a protein that makes up hair and nails. Keratin products are marketed for smoothing frizzy strands, but they can also make your hair more resilient. Keratin treatments can thicken your hair and make it feel healthier. You can find keratin products in just about any hair salon or drugstore. However, you may also visit your local salon to get a keratin treatment.
8. Visit A Dermatologist
If you notice hair loss, it’s time to see a dermatologist that can determine if there is an autoimmune cause. Remember, a healthy scalp means healthy hair, and your scalp is made up of skin and hair follicles. Hair loss can run in your family, and alopecia is more common than you think. If you notice thinning of your scalp, then consider seeing a dermatologist before buying products at the drugstore. Regular hair products aren’t designed to address autoimmune problems; however, they can help your hair stay thick and healthy.
9. Brush Your Hair Before Showering
Whether your hair is straight or curly, it’s a good idea to brush your hair before you shower to keep it strong. When your hair is wet, it can easily tangle up and break. Brushing knots out of your hair while wet can increase breakage, so you should always brush your hair when it’s completely dry. In addition, brushing your hair while it’s dry will distribute your hair and scalp’s natural oils. Not only that but brushing your hair before a shower makes it easier to style afterward.
10. Use Conditioner
Most people put too much conditioner in their hair. The bottle instructions tell you exactly how much you should use; typically, a nickel-sized drop is enough for most hair lengths. When applying your conditioner, you should start towards the end of your hair then work your way up to the scalp. Starting at the bottom allows you to get most of the product where you need it most, but it’s important to not skip your scalp, which needs hydration to stay healthy and keep your hair healthy at the root.
Getting Beautiful, Healthy Hair
Getting healthy hair won’t require the same process for everyone. Depending on your hair’s texture, you’ll need to experiment with products to determine what works best for you. One of the best things you can do for yourself is taking care of your hair, so after determining what works for you, add it to your daily routine and watch your hair become stronger and healthier over time.
Marné Amoguis
Marné Amoguis holds a B.A. in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.
