Your hair is more than just your crowning jewel, it is a means of self-expression. Many of us use our hair as a way to relay our personal message and a unique sense of style to colleagues, friends, and family. It is a tool that has been used to empower and instill confidence in both men and women since as early as 200BC. From ribbons to braids and chignons to rainbow ombre locks, our hair serves as the canvas for our artistic visions, which is why you should be taking extra care of those delicate tresses. All that dying, styling, and ironing is extremely damaging to your hair. Sure hair does grow back in most cases, but the constant strain could lead to hair loss, especially in older individuals.
If your hair is looking a little lackluster and in need of extra TLC, here are a few useful tips to help restore and revitalize your hair at home.
Get Regular Snips
There is nothing that says tangled or bad hair day like split ends! As hair grows, the ends tend to become more damaged over time. When the hair shafts are damaged and the cuticles begin to split and fray due to excessive brushing and heat, it can start to become even more difficult to manage. Trimming your hair at least once every six to eight weeks is the only way to eliminate any split or damaged ends. A regular trim will also make your hair look thicker and shinier.
Eat The Right Nutrients
The nutrients we get from our diets are crucial for every single part of our bodies including our hair. Your hair, skin, and nails are usually the first indicators of a nutrient deficiency. If you have noticed that your hair may be thinning, you may be deficient in protein or zinc. If you suspect your diet may be the culprit, start incorporating nutrient-dense foods such as almonds, cashews, eggs, lean meat, and poultry into your meals for an added protein and zinc boost.
If you really want to get the most out of your locks, taking a clinical strength nutritional supplement, like Hairprin™ from Approved Science®, together with a healthy diet can help prevent nutrient deficiencies and encourage hair growth.
Skip A Day
Washing your hair too often can strip the scalp and hair shaft of all the natural oils it needs to thrive. The oils that are secreted by the scalp nourish and protect the hair strands from external environmental factors such as the sun and wind. Depending on the brand you are using, shampoo can leave your hair looking dull and your scalp itchy and red. Unless you are really breaking a sweat during the day, it is ok to skip a few days and only wash your hair once or twice a week.
Cool It Down
As relaxing and refreshing as a hot shower is, washing your hair in high temperatures can dry out your hair and lead to irritation on the scalp. Rinsing your hair with cold water helps to lock in shine and moisture because it helps to seal the hair cuticles.
Rethink The Do
A sleek ponytail or tight braid is an elegant addition to any outfit, but that super tight do could be causing more harm than it’s worth, especially if this is your regular go-to style. Tight braids, buns, or weaves can lead to hair loss known as traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is reversible, however, for some, the damage may be permanent. If you notice that your hair has started to thin, let your hair hang loose for a few weeks instead of pulling it back. If that is not an option, rather put your hair into a loose braid or tie it back into a low pony using a scrunchie to minimize any pulling.
Don’t Brush In A Rush
We can all agree that a brush and a comb are simple tools we have been using for as long as we can remember. But did you know there is a correct way of actually using these tools? During the morning rush, we pick up the brush and start brushing, starting from the roots down to the ends. If you really had a deep sleep you might need to tug harder at those knots. Brushing this way actually damages and breaks your hair. That is probably why you are left with a clump of hair in the paddle brush after a vigorous comb. The correct way to brush your hair is to start from the ends first and work your way up, gently brushing out the knots and them moving on to the roots. This is the easiest and safest way to untangle your hair after your beauty slumber.
Don’t Sweat It
Even if you have purchased the most expensive shampoo on the market and invested in the niftiest tools there are in hair care, these things are not effective enough to reverse the damage caused by stress. Every strand of hair on our head goes through four growth cycles before it falls out naturally. These are known as the anagen or growing phase, the catagen or transition phase, the telogen or resting phase, and finally the exogen or new hair phase. Chronic levels of stress can force the hair follicles into the resting phase, which prevents new hair from growing. This condition is known as telogen effluvium. Fortunately, this condition is only temporary provided that you address the root cause of the stress.
Mask It
A mask is great for feeding your hair the nutrients it needs and locking in moisture. But this also doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune at the salon and on hair care products to get luscious bouncy locks, the ingredients it needs is probably hiding in your pantry or fridge. Here is a wonderful DIY mask that you can whip up in seconds and apply to your hair a few times a month:
Apple Cider Vinegar, Egg, and Honey Moisture Mask
You will need:
- 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons of honey
If you have longer and thicker hair this recipe can be doubled. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Section your hair off into quarters. Apply the mixture to small sections and gently massage into the ends working your way towards the roots. Allow the mixture to sit in the hair for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it out with cool water.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Green Tea Hair Growth Tonic
You will need:
- 2 cups of green tea
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 3 drops of peppermint oil (to stimulate blood flow)
Mix all the ingredients together in a jug. Pour it over your hair and massage the tonic into the scalp. Allow the tonic to sit in the hair for ten minutes before rinsing it out with cool water.
No More Hairy Situations
When your hair is healthy, you won’t have as many flyaways and bad hair days. By looking after your hair properly, controlling stress levels, eating a balanced diet, and taking a quality hair supplement, you will notice a major difference in how much you shed and the amount of luster and shine your hair has.