Whether you’re new to the world of hair care or you’re a long-time fanatic who has tried every trick under the sun, there are occasions when finding ways to achieve healthier hair feels like mission impossible.
Hair can be prone to dryness, breakage and general damage from the elements and frequent exposure to heated tools. It can also begin to look dull after so much time spent combating frizz and humidity or attempting to tame unruly curls. Because we now have so many products and techniques available to us, it makes it easier than ever before to achieve healthy hair.
Forget boring, one-dimensional looks and techniques that don’t take your features or personal style into account. There are ways to remedy these issues and give yourself a new lease of life with some healthier-looking locks. Keeping up with haircuts, conditioning treatments and other habits listed below will all help to make a difference in how healthy your hair looks. Check out our complete guide on how to get healthier-looking hair so you can leave those old habits behind and start fresh!
What Defines Healthy Hair?
Healthy hair isn’t a one-size-fits-all sort of deal. It’s something we all want, but it can be challenging to achieve and maintain. Thinking about your hair from an objective point of view is key when figuring out what will work best for you. There are many factors that contribute to healthy hair, such as diet, lifestyle, stress levels and genetics. What works for one person may not work for another. But no matter who you are and what your preferences are, there is plenty you can do to improve the health of your hair.
Genetics plays a role in whether someone is more likely to experience hair loss. Those with certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, and extreme stress or anxiety also may experience hair loss as a side effect. Certain lifestyle choices may increase someone’s chances of experiencing hair loss, including extreme dieting, poor sleep habits, and over-styling or over-processing of their hair. Unfortunately, most people are looking for short-term fixes which, in turn, damages the hair even more. Patience is a virtue – and this is certainly true for your hair. We’ve compiled a list of ways to achieve healthier, fuller, thicker hair. From helpful tips and tricks to insider secrets from industry pros, these simple steps will help you achieve the luscious locks of your dreams with ease.
Weekly Hair Care Rituals
If you’re looking to revamp your hair care routine, one of the first things to consider is how often you should be washing your hair. While this varies for everyone, on average, most people should try to only wash their hair once a week. If you’re concerned that washing your hair once per week won’t be enough to keep your locks healthy, remember that you’re not only removing product build-up, but also natural oils that have been building up on your scalp and in your hair over the course of the week. Washing your hair with a mild shampoo and conditioner every week will help to remove all these things, leaving you with cleaner, more refreshed locks. If you want to train your hair to last for the full week with one shower, you should try to reduce the number of times you wash it each week. You can also get creative and style your hair into a ponytail or plaits to hide greasier hair. Dry shampoo can be applied at night, but only when necessary, as it can actually be counterproductive to achieving healthy hair.
Change Your Shampoos and Conditioners
The materials that go into creating your shampoos and conditioners will have a big impact on how your hair looks and feels. If you’ve been using the same bottles in your bathroom for years, it might be time to switch things up and find some new, healthier hair products. We know — it can be tough to choose the right products for your hair, especially when the shelves are lined with so many brands and claims. If you’re trying to find healthier-looking hair, look for shampoos and conditioners that include ingredients that can help nourish your hair and condition it from root to tip. These ingredients can include things like proteins, amino acids, essential oils, vitamins, or minerals — all of which can help to strengthen and nourish your hair over time, leaving it with a healthier, more vibrant look.
Trim Your Ends
One thing that can really hinder the appearance of healthy, shiny locks is excess split ends. Split ends occur when your hair has been over-processed, has been pulled too roughly or is simply too long to be styled in a healthy way. These unruly, damaged ends can really take a toll on your hair, making it look and feel weak, thin, and unhealthy. Giving yourself a little TLC and trimming these split ends off regularly can make a huge difference in the appearance of your hair. Regular trims to the ends of your hair encourages growth and will also create the illusion of volumized hair. While many people like to trim their ends every six to eight weeks, professionals actually recommend trimming your ends every month!
Brush Your Hair the Right Way
Brushing your hair regularly is one of the most basic, yet effective, ways to keep it looking healthy and maintained. However, if you’ve been brushing your hair the wrong way all these years, you may be doing more harm than good. The best way to brush your hair is to start at the ends and work your way up to the roots. This can help to avoid excessive pulling and breakage to the hair. Gliding from tip to root, the Tangle Teezer Fine and Fragile Brush helps to avoid excessive pulling and breakage to the hair. Also effective for dry, wet, or damp hair, the Tangle Teezer Wide Tooth Comb effortlessly detangles hair to remove stubborn knots without the pain or excessive hair loss.
Try a Clarifying Mask
While healthier hair products will help keep your hair looking vibrant and healthy, a clarifying mask can really help to give your hair a fresh start. While all hair types can benefit from a clarifying mask, those with drier, more damaged locks will really notice the difference these products can make. A good clarifying mask should help to remove product build-up and restore your hair’s natural shine and lustre. You can also make your own clarifying mask with ingredients like apple cider vinegar, baking soda, castor oil or coconut oil. These products will gently cleanse your hair and scalp, removing product build-up, dirt and other impurities that can weigh your hair down and make it appear dull.
Amp Up the Volume with a Root Booster
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add volume to your hair, a root booster can help. These products are designed to be applied at the roots, where they can help promote the growth of thicker, healthier-looking hair. You can also use root boosters like mousse or hairspray to add volume to your hair at the roots and encourage new growth at the same time. For full-bodied volume and long-lasting texture, stylists recommend using root boosters before applying heat to the hair to create maximum thick, healthy hairstyles.
Nutrition is Key
Other factors such as nutrition and stress can take a toll on your luscious locks. One of the best ways to achieve healthy hair is through a balanced, nutritious diet. Eating foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats can help to keep your hair strong, vibrant, and shiny. Some of the best foods for healthy hair include eggs, fish, avocados, spinach, asparagus, carrots, and broccoli. You can also try adding certain supplements into your daily routine. Biotin is a popular choice for improving hair health, as well as iron, zinc, and vitamin E! It’s also important to remember that healthy hair takes time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results right away. With these tips and tricks, it won’t be long before you’re looking and feeling great with gorgeous, healthy hair.
Stimulate Hair Growth
An adult human scalp has about 110,000 hair strands on it. But when you’re first born, you have about over five million hair follicles! Thanks to genetics and old age, the number of hair strands decreases as time goes by. Besides that, other factors like stress, improper diet, and hormone imbalances also accelerate the balding process in men and women alike. But there’s no need to panic just yet! If you have lagging hair growth, a scalp massager can be used for stimulating hair growth. Scalp massagers are an easy way to stimulate the hair follicles and the blood circulation so that more healthy hair grows out. The Tangle Teezer Scalp Exfoliator and Massager is perfect for anyone who wants to grow healthier hair faster.
When used regularly, these habits can make a big difference in the overall health and appearance of your hair. While some may seem simpler than others, they’re all great tricks that can be incorporated into your hair care routine with ease. Keep in mind that, while these tips and tricks will help you achieve healthier-looking locks, they won’t fix damage that has already been done to your hair. To tackle existing damage, make sure you’re using products designed to nourish and repair hair. Healthy hair takes time, patience and effort and you shouldn’t expect to change your hair care routine overnight and see results. But, through consistency and following a schedule, you’ll be on the road to thicker, fuller, healthier hair.
