Everyone desires strong, lustrous, and easy-to-manage hair. However, getting there can be difficult. The majority of us have a hair problem that prevents us from having a healthy head of hair. Hair type, strength, and volume are all influenced by genetics. That does not, however, imply that you have no control over your hair. We’ll look at ten steps you can take to help strengthen your strands, increase hair growth, and improve the look, texture, and health of your hair in this post.
1. Turn the heat down a notch.
Blow dryers, straightening irons, hot curlers, and other heated styling equipment can harm your hair, particularly if it’s fine, dry, or prone to breaking. Too much heat can cause your hair to become brittle, resulting in damaged or frizzy strands.
Researchers who conducted a 2011 studyTrusted Source advocate holding the blow dryer around 6 inches away from the surface of your hair and rotating it around rather than concentrating it on one location to reduce hair drying damage.
To give your hair time to recover between sessions, limit your blow-drying and other warm styling sessions to two or three times per week.
Reduce the heat on your dryer and other heated styling devices to avoid hair damage. If you want to protect your hair from heat damage, you should apply a heat protectant product.
2. Increase your vitamin consumption
To be healthy and strong, your hair, like the rest of your body, requires specific vitamins and minerals. Nutritional deficits have been related to hair loss, according to research from Trusted Source.
The vitamins and minerals listed below may be especially beneficial to hair growth:
- B vitamins, particularly biotin, are found in egg yolk, liver, salmon, avocados, nuts and seeds, and dairy products. Vitamin A is found in sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, spinach, milk, eggs, and yoghurt.
- Citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers are all good sources of vitamin C.
- Vitamin D is present in fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods like milk and orange juice, among other sources.
- Sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, and avocados are all good sources of vitamin E.
- Iron is abundant in oysters, clams, eggs, red meat, lentils, and spinach.
- Oysters, sirloin, pumpkin seeds, and lentils are all good sources of zinc.
If you’re having trouble getting the vitamins and minerals you need from your diet, you might want to consider taking a multivitamin that includes these vitamins and minerals.
However, before taking any supplements, especially biotin, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor. Excess biotin intake has been shown to influence laboratory test results, including tests to detect heart attacks, according to ResearchTrusted Source.
If you’re having trouble getting the vitamins and minerals you need from your diet, you might want to consider taking a multivitamin that includes these vitamins and minerals.
However, before taking any supplements, especially biotin, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor. Excess biotin intake has been shown to influence laboratory test results, including tests to detect heart attacks, according to ResearchTrusted Source.
3. Don’t use too much shampoo.
It’s critical to keep your hair clean. However, in order to reduce oiliness and remove dirt, most shampoos contain ingredients that strip away your hair’s natural oils.
Unless your hair is particularly greasy, you can probably reduce your shampooing to two to three times per week rather than daily. If you wash your hair too frequently, it will dry out and damage the hair shaft.
Also, don’t overdo it on the shampoo. To clean your hair, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using only a quarter-sized amount of shampoo, applied largely to your scalp.
4. Massage your hairline and scalp
Increasing blood flow to the hair follicles and improving the health and condition of your scalp are two benefits of increasing blood circulation in your scalp.
A 4-minute daily scalp massage, according to Trusted Source, may help to boost hair thickness and strength over time.
By applying pressure in circular strokes with your fingertips, you can massage your own scalp for many minutes. You can do this on dry hair or when your hair is wet, right before shampooing.
A scalp massager is also available. These brush-like portable gadgets stimulate your scalp.
5. Increase your protein intake.
Because protein is a major component of hair follicles, getting enough protein in your diet is essential for hair growth. Hair thinning and hair loss might be caused by a lack of protein in the diet, according to research from Trusted Source.
The following foods are high in protein and may assist to improve hair health:
Fish, such as mackerel and salmon, as well as nuts and seeds
beans and legumes lean meats spinach and kale
6. Apply an egg yolk mask on your face.
Egg yolk proteins are identical to those present in a healthy hair follicle. In addition, a 2018 study found that The peptides in egg yolk, according to Trusted Source, may help encourage hair development.
Vitamins A and D, biotin, and folate are among the key components found in egg yolk that have been related to hair growth and good hair.
Follow these instructions to build your own egg yolk mask:
- 3 egg yolks and 3–4 tablespoons coconut oil, slightly warmed
- Combine the two components thoroughly.
- Apply the mixture to your scalp and roots after it has been thoroughly combined.
- After you’ve applied the mixture, cover your head with a shower hat.
- Allow 10–15 minutes for it to sit on your head.
7. Finish with a cool rinse
Too hot water in the shower can cause heat damage to your hair, both at the root and on the cuticle. Steam in the shower can open up your hair’s cuticles, causing it to become dry, frizzy, and prone to breakage.
Lather up with lukewarm water to preserve your hair. After that, spray your hair and scalp with cool water to conclude your shower. This may assist to seal the cuticle of your hair, making it simpler for it to retain moisture.
8. Apply aloe vera to your scalp and hair.
Vitamins A, C, and E are abundant in aloe veraTrusted Source. These vitamins may aid in the formation of healthy cells, including those in your hair. Aloe vera also includes vitamin B-12 and folic acid, all of which may aid in the growth of good hair.
However, it’s uncertain whether these helpful vitamins permeate the scalp when aloe vera is applied topically.
You can use the aloe vera plant’s pure gel to apply to your hair and scalp, or hunt for aloe vera-based hair products. For added conditioning, you can make your own aloe vera hair mask.
9. Use a T-shirt instead of a towel.
According to hair experts, wiping wet hair with a terry-cloth towel after washing can cause hair damage and breaking owing to friction between the towel and your hair.
You can use a microfiber towel or a basic cotton T-shirt, which is both easier and less expensive.
When drying, the smooth T-shirt fabric creates less friction, resulting in less damage and frizz.
Follow these instructions to use a shirt on your hair:
Squeeze portions of your hair carefully to eliminate as much water as possible after washing and rinsing.
Turban your T-shirt by bending your head forward and wrapping it around your head in a turban style.
Wrap your damp hair in the shirt for 5–10 minutes before unwrapping it.
Squeeze excess moisture from any parts of hair with a T-shirt, then dry and style as usual.
10. Apply a hot oil therapy to your skin.
Hot oil treatments are a popular way to help dry, frizzy, or damaged hair regain moisture.
A therapy with coconut and avocado oil may be extremely beneficial. Coconut oil has the ability to prevent protein loss in both damaged and healthy hair, according to a 2003 studyTrusted Source.
Avocado oil, like coconut oil, is high in important fatty acids and vitamins A, B-5, and E.
Follow these steps to prepare your own hot oil treatment:
- 1–2 tbsp. avocado oil and 1–2 tbsp. virgin coconut oil (at room temperature) Depending on how long your hair is, you can apply more or less, but maintain the ratio of both oils nearly equal.
- Fill a glass jar halfway with the oil mixture and gently place it in a pot of boiling water.
- Allow 2 minutes for the oil to melt together and warm inside the container. You don’t want the oil to be too hot; it should be slightly warm and thoroughly blended.
- Take a temperature reading on the back of your wrist.The temperature should be lukewarm, not scorching. If the oil appears to be hot, stay away from it. Before proceeding, wait until it has cooled.
- Apply the oil combination to your scalp, roots, and ends once it has reached a safe temperature. Apply the oil to the rest of your hair and work it in.
- Allow the oil to saturate your hair for 20 minutes while wearing a shower cap.
- Rinse with lukewarm water thoroughly.
Last but not least
Hair that is strong and healthy demands effort on all fronts.
While avoiding heat damage and overwashing is crucial, you must also consider what you put into your body. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein sources will assist to improve the health of your hair and scalp.
It’s important to tell your doctor if you discover that your hair is becoming more prone to breakage or that you’re losing more hair than usual. Hair loss is common in both men and women, but it can also signal an underlying health problem.
