Welcome to the quest for healthy and beautiful hair! Our hair is a crucial part of how we look and feel, impacting our self-confidence and overall happiness.
Healthy hair is simple in theory. Eat well, hydrate, shampoo and condition the right way, and don’t forget a leave in conditioner and heat protectant (if needed). However, finding the products best for your hair type and actually doing things like eating right all the time and avoiding alcohol are easier said than done.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not attainable. Even if you pick up just one or two habits from this post, you’ll definitely be on your way to some seriously lustrous locks.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the various aspects of hair health and share some tips and advice on keeping your hair in top shape.
Personally, I wish I knew more about how to actually take care of my hair earlier. It turns out it wasn’t until my mid-30’s that I really learned how to wash and condition my hair and use basic products like leave-in treatment, hair oil, and heat protectant to keep it moisturized without it turning oily (which my hair has a tendency to do).
Hopefully these healthy hair tips find you earlier in your hair care journey and we can get you on the path to growing beautiful hair that really completes your glow up look.
The Basics of Hair Anatomy
Before we get started on a new topic, it’s always helpful to understand the fundamental principles. Hair is no exception.
It’s also important to note that hair health isn’t just about achieving luscious locks, but that healthier hair also serves as an indicator of our overall well-being. Factors like diet, stress levels, and even genetics can impact the health of our hair.
Healthy hair is shiny, strong, and soft to the touch. If you’re experiencing dullness, breakage, or dryness, it may be a sign that your hair needs some extra care.
Some common signs of unhealthy hair include dryness, breakage, and excessive shedding. To keep our hair healthy, we must understand its basic structure and the various factors that can impact its health.
Hair is made up of two parts – the follicle and the shaft
Hair Follicle
AKA the stuff that’s inside the scalp.
The hair follicle is a tiny, tubular cavity in the skin that encloses the hair root. It’s the living part of the human hair. It consists of the
- Papilla – supplies the blood to hair cells. Important for hair growth.
- Sebaceous glands – produce sebum (aka oil) to condition and lubricate the hair and skin
- Bulb – the base of the hair and what is responsible for building the hair shaft
- Matrix – area around the papilla that makes hair fibers and the sheath of the hair
Hair Shaft
AKA the stuff outside your scalp – the hair shaft is composed mostly of keratin. The shaft is made up of three (or sometimes two) parts:
- Medulla – a soft, thin core of transparent cells and air spaces (though sometimes fine hair doesn’t have it)
- Cortex – the majority of the shaft. it provides color, texture, and strength of the hair
- Cuticle – the outer layer that looks like scales if you look at it in a microscope (you’ve probably seen pictures of it on the back of shampoo bottles). Smooth cuticles look shiny while rough ones make hair look dull.
Understanding the structure of hair follicles and the hair shaft is important for proper hair care. Damage to any of these parts can affect your hair, leading to issues like breakage, dryness, or excessive oiliness.
Understanding Your Hair Type
Our hair is as unique as we are. Understanding our specific hair type can really help us take better care of it. So, there are four main hair types here – straight, wavy, curly, and coily – and each one has its own little quirks that need different care techniques.
Straight hair is all about being smooth and shiny, but it can sometimes get a bit oily. Ugh, oily hair.
Wavy hair, on the other hand, is like my hair keeping a mix of straight and curly – it’s got some texture and body going on.
Curly hair? Well, it’s a whole adventure in itself. From loose curls to tight coils, it needs that extra moisture to keep away the dryness and frizz.
And let’s not forget coily hair – those tight curls and coils that are just so unique. They need some serious deep conditioning to keep their shape and prevent any breakage.
Then there’s the whole thin hair and thick hair part. Thin hair tends to be more fragile and needs extra TLC, while thick hair can handle more styling and hold its shape better.
So, you see, each hair type has its own little story to tell!
Knowing your hair type can actually make a big difference when choosing the right products. For instance, if you’ve got curly or coily hair, you might find heavier creams and oils more beneficial. On the other hand, if you’ve got straight or wavy hair, you might lean towards lighter products – especially depending on how much oil your hair produces.
It’s all about experimenting and finding what really works for your own beautiful hair.
The Basics of Hair Health
Proper nutrition
Just like our bodies, our hair needs proper nutrition to thrive. Eating a balanced diet that includes protein, healthy fats, and vitamins can contribute to strong and healthy hair. Some nutrients that are particularly beneficial for hair health include biotin, iron, zinc, and vitamin C.
Hydration
Keeping your body hydrated is not only important for overall health but also for hair and scalp health. Drinking enough water helps to keep your hair and scalp moisturized, preventing dryness and breakage.
Scalp care
Our scalp is where our hair grows from, so it’s important to give it some love and attention. Regularly massaging the scalp can help stimulate blood flow and promote healthy hair growth. It’s also important to keep the scalp clean and free of buildup, as this can lead to issues like dandruff or even hair loss.
A healthy scalp produces healthy hair. So don’t forget about scalp health!
A well-honed routine
Finding the right products and routine for you is highly individual. A routine for someone with oily hair who loves heat styling will be very different from someone who has damaged hair from chemical treatments and wants to let their hair air dry without looking blah.
Finding “your” products will take some trial and error. But be patient! It’s totally worth it.
Developing a Hair Care Routine
Now that we have a good understanding of our hair type and the basics of hair health, it’s time to develop a personalized hair care routine. This routine should incorporate products and techniques that cater specifically to your hair type and address any hair concerns you may have.
Some key elements of a hair care routine include:
- Cleansing with a shampoo (try to avoid sulfates)
- Conditioning to add moisture and nourishment
- Using leave-in treatments, a deep conditioner, oils, or serums for added hydration and protection
- Limiting heat styling and incorporating protective hairstyles like putting your hair in a high bun before bed
- Regular trims to get rid of split ends and maintain hair health
How to shampoo the right way
When shampooing, focus on applying shampoo to wet hair on only the scalp and roots. Shampoo isn’t needed on your ends.
This will help remove any buildup or excess oil without stripping the natural oils from your hair.
When shampooing, really get in there. Think of how thoroughly your hair is washed and your scalp is massaged when you go to the salon. That blood circulation, feels good, amirite?
So use the pads of your fingers to get every inch of your hair, from the hairline to right under the crown of your hair where it feels like getting shampoo to the roots is a challenge. Rinse it out thoroughly.
Your hair should be almost squeaky clean after your hair washing.
Also, if you have an exotic color hair dye (think pink, blue, etc.), make sure you’re using shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for color treated hair.
How to condition the right way
When conditioning, focus on the mid-lengths to ends of your hair where it tends to be drier. Conditioner should not go near your scalp. Not only is putting extra product on a waste of money, but it can undo the cleanliness of your hair you worked so hard to achieve during the shampooing stage.
It’s also important to choose products that are specifically formulated for your own hair color and type.
It may take a few bottles of various shampoos and conditioners to find “your” products. A great shampoo should leave your hair clean while a great conditioner should leave your hair hydrated.
Importance of deep conditioning
Once a week, or every other week, treat your hair to a deep conditioning treatment for some extra nourishment. This can be done with store-bought masks or DIY treatments using natural ingredients like avocado and honey. Just make sure to focus on the ends of your hair and avoid the scalp.
The 3 necessary products beyond shampoo and conditioner
You don’t need a lot of product to keep your hair in tip top condition. 3 simple products are really all you need.
A leave-in treatment
A leave-in treatment is a great way to add extra hydration and protection to your hair without weighing it down. Look for products that contain ingredients like argan oil or coconut oil, which can help nourish and protect the hair plus prevent breakage.
Think of using the leave-in treatment as a way to lock in the moisture added during the conditioner step.
Leave in conditioner can also make hair stronger and reduce hair damage over time. If you use just one product from this list, make it this one.
Hair oil or serum
Oils and serums are great for adding shine, taming frizz, and locking in the moisture already present in your hair. They can also provide added moisture for dry hair. Just remember to use a small amount and focus on the ends of your hair.
Heat protectant
If you do decide to use heat styling products or tools like a curling iron, hair dryer, or straightening iron, it’s important to use a heat protectant beforehand to minimize damage.
Look for products that contain ingredients like shea butter or silk protein, which can help protect the hair from high temperatures.
The Role of Hydration
How hydration affects hair health
As mentioned earlier, staying hydrated is important for hair health. When our bodies are dehydrated, it can reflect in our hair, making it make brittle hair look dull and brittle. Drinking enough water helps to keep the hair and scalp moisturized from the inside out.
Tips for proper hydration
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
- Incorporate foods with high water content like fruits and vegetables into your diet
- Use a humidifier in dry environments to add moisture to the air
- Limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they can dehydrate the body
- Use hydrating hair products like leave-in conditioners or oils regularly
Vitamins and Supplements for Hair Health
Ideally you’d get all your nutrients from whole, healthy food. However, sometimes vitamins and supplements can help you get the extra boost you need for healthy hair. Some key vitamins and supplements to consider maintaining healthy hair include:
- Biotin: Also known as vitamin H, biotin is a popular supplement for promoting hair growth.
- Iron: Iron deficiency can lead to hair loss, so it’s important to make sure you have enough iron in your diet or take a supplement if needed.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: These healthy fats can help keep the scalp and hair moisturized, preventing dryness and breakage.
- Vitamin D: Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to hair loss, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough of this essential nutrient.
- Collagen: This protein is essential for strong and healthy hair and can be found in supplement
Common Hair Myths Debunked
Common hair myths include:
- Regular haircuts will make it grow faster: While regular trims can help maintain hair health, they do not affect the rate of hair growth.
- Brushing your hair 100 times a day will make it shinier: Over-brushing can actually damage the hair and cause breakage, leading to dullness.
- Plucking one grey hair will cause more to grow: Plucking a grey hair will not affect the growth of other hairs. However, it’s best to just leave grey hairs alone and embrace them as a natural part of aging.
- Wearing hats causes baldness: There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Wearing hats can actually provide protection for your scalp and hair from the sun and other environmental factors.
Go get some healthy hair!
We hope you’ve enjoyed these tips for healthy hair. Whether you work on your hair health from the outside in via healthy hair supplements and good diets or if you work on it from the outside in by using the right products, avoiding hot tools, and using the occasional hair mask, healthy hair is work the work.
