We all want to achieve our healthiest hair ever, however, some of us don’t know how to make that happen. Conflicting information on the internet leaves us feeling confused. Fret not, here we give you practical and science-backed tips to growing your healthiest ever starting now!
1. Eat a mostly plant-based diet for your healthiest hair
Healthy hair starts with a healthy body and for your healthiest hair, you want to make sure you’re eating the most nutrient-rich foods. Ideally, whole food plant-based vegan diet will get you on your way to health. However, this might not be realistic for some people. So you’ll want to limit your intake of animal protein as this will increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and other health risks.
Not sure where to start? Check out our Healthy Hair Planner which is your goal planner that gets you on the road to healthy hair goals.
Your hair, skin & nails get the nutrient last, so if your nails are brittle, your skin is breaking out, then most likely your hair is also suffering. Staying away from processed food is the first step. Incorporating whole foods into your diet will ensure your body is getting what it needs to thrive.
2. Reduce stress for your healthiest hair
Stress can be a major contributor to a host of issues, hair loss being one of them. There are three different ways stress can affect our hair growth:
- Telogen effluvium is a hair loss condition that is triggered by an event or stressor, such as major surgery, childbirth, or a severe illness.
- Trichotillomania is the compulsive urge to pull out one's own hair. It can lead to significant hair loss and bald patches on the scalp.
- Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes patchy baldness in some people.
With telogen effluvium, the growth phase is arrested in our hair and a few months later you might notice excessive shedding. While this can feel alarming at the time, it is temporary. If you find yourself pulling out your own hair due to stress or any other reason, you should speak with a professional.
If you are noticing bald patches, you should see your primary care physician immediately to rule out anything medical.
3. Get your hair trimmed regularly or when it needs it
Once you start growing your healthiest hair you’ll want to make sure you’re maintaining it. Getting regular trims should be a part of your hair care routine.
The ends of our hair are the oldest part of our hair. Since hair is a fiber, this is normal and unavoidable even with the best routine. You’ll notice single-strand knots, split ends, and even breakage. These are all signs that you need a trim. If you wait too long it will only get worse and you’ll have to trim off more dead ends than you’ll want.
4. Shampoo & Condition your hair on every wash day
Every stylist I have ever talked to all agree that the best way to get moisture into your hair is at the shampoo bowl. If you want your healthiest hair, then making sure you are shampooing your hair on every wash day is key. It will remove any product buildup that would hinder your cuticles from opening. Your hair can now get all that wonderful water into it.
If your hair is low porosity, then you want to use a cleansing shampoo such as our Clarifying Charocal Shampoo Bar for your healthiest hair. Medium to high porosity hair does better with our Detoxifying Clay Cleanser.
5. Heat dry your hair using a diffuser or hooded dryer
Using heat for your healthiest hair is probably the most controversial. We have been told to stay away from heat over the years. All heat is not created equal. Using some heat is actually beneficial to our hair. It’s true that extreme heat will cause damage to the cuticle. However, air drying damages the bonds that keep our hair’s layers intact. What you want to do is find a happy medium and that is either using a diffuser or a hooded hairdryer.
A hooded dryer or diffuser creates ambient heat that is more gentle on your hair. The dispersed air won’t disturb your curls causing frizz. The warm air on your hair will help it to absorb your products better and smooth down the cuticle.
Want the best product recommended for your hair, then take our free hair quiz today.
