5 Habits For Healthy, Strong Hair

By Dr. Rosmy B.
January 8, 2021

Good hair is a total mood. And understandably, it's not called a 'good hair day' for nothing.

We can all agree that beautiful hair significantly contributes to the way we look. However, only healthy hair can be beautiful. So, to keep your hair in good shape, take care of it correctly based on your hair needs.

How to get healthy hair naturally?

A healthy hair care regimen is simple, and like most things in nature, it requires balance. All you need to do is keep your hair clean, avoid damaging it, and provide it with the necessary nourishment. But, there's one trick. You have to do this according to your specific hair type.

1. Feed your hair from the inside

Your hair is not a separate entity. Your hair ends are essentially dead, but the roots, also called hair follicles, are located inside your skin. Both hair and skin suffer from exposure to damaging environmental effects. So, it's no wonder that most hair care products focus on nourishing the hair from the outside.

However, your scalp and hair follicles get most of the necessary nutrients from the inside. Minerals and vitamins are invaluable for healthy hair, and you can only get them through a balanced diet and supplementation.

Nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, iron, selenium, and zinc play a part in hair health. Their lack can result in many problems, including hair loss.

2. Wash your hair regularly

Washing creates a healthy environment in which your hair can grow and flourish. It cleanses your scalp and removes all the impurities that can clog up the hair follicles and cause your hair to look greasy.

However, you need to adjust your cleansing routine to your hair type and right hair products. Even daily washing can be beneficial for some overly-greasy hair types. It all depends the products you use. Choose gentle, non-drying shampoos and a scalp treatment to prevent dryness of scalp and hair.

3. Make smart hair coloring choices

Hair coloring is a fun way to change your look. However, it often has a damaging effect on hair. Some ingredients of hair coloring products, such as ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, are harsh for the hair and scalp. Hair coloring changes the integrity of the hair by increasing its porosity. This means the hair doesn't retain moisture as well, dries out faster and is more prone to breakage.

Consider using natural hair coloring options that are available on the market. Their effects may not be as enduring, but your hair will appreciate them. Colored hair can also benefit from rich conditioning masks and treatments.

4. Limit heat exposure

A blow dryer or a flat iron can help you style your hair beautifully. But, too much heat exposure can also cause irreparable damage.

High temperatures can change the structure, appearance, color, and moisture content of your hair. The best way to counter this is to avoid frequent heat styling of the hair.

When you use a blow dryer, make sure not to use the highest heat setting and keep the blow dryer at least fifteen centimeters away from your head.

5. Take good care of your scalp

The road to healthy hair begins with the scalp. The skin on the top of your head contains more hair follicles than any other area of your body. It is the foundation of your hair that enables it to feed and grow.

However, many people experience scalp problems such as dryness, itchiness, dandruff, overproduction of sebum (oiliness), etc. Most of these issues result from poor scalp hygiene and improper hair care.

Exfoliation unclogs the hair follicles and removes the impurities and dead skin flakes, allowing your scalp to “breathe” and absorb nutrients better.

The result is a cleaner and nutrient-rich environment that boosts the health and appearance of your hair.

The Bottom Line

Healthy hair is beautiful hair. It is also a tell-tale sign of your general health and lifestyle habits. So, cleanse and nourish your hair and scalp regularly with quality natural products. Find the recipe that works best for you and keep it simple. Remember, in life, less often means more.

References:
1. Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(1):51-70. doi:10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6
2. Lee Y, Kim YD, Hyun HJ, Pi LQ, Jin X, Lee WS. Hair shaft damage from heat and drying time of hairdryer. Ann Dermatol. 2011;23(4):455-462. doi:10.5021/ad.2011.23.4.455