5 Tips for Healthy Hair
Apr 27, 2023
By Casie Giroux
Many factors go into growing healthy, vibrant hair from root to tip. Genetics largely determine your hair type, color, thickness, and overall texture. While other factors like nutrition, stress levels, prescription medication usage, hair care products, toxin accumulation, and age play an important role as well. Though we cannot change the hair that we inherited, we can make lifestyle changes that improve our hair growth, strength and overall quality now and into the future. Here are five herbalist-recommended practices you can try today to grow healthier, thicker, and more vibrant hair.
- Eat a balanced diet
Thin and lackluster hair can be a sign of a nutritional deficiency. Inadequate levels of iron is the most common deficiency in the world–especially for women–and can be a major factor in hair thinning. Eating iron-rich foods like red meat, shellfish, beans, spinach, kale, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and dark chocolate can help ensure you are getting the iron levels you need to support luscious locks.
Other nutrients often lacking in certain diets that are essential for hair growth include: omega-3s, B vitamins, zinc, and selenium. Remember to eat the rainbow which include avariety of fruits and vegetables as well as protein, healthy fats, and water to give our hair strands their fundamental building blocks.
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Take nutrient-rich herbal supplements
Our newest herbal formula, Mane Character, was specifically created with your hair health in mind. With our busy lives, it can sometimes be difficult to get the nutrients we need from diet alone. The herbs in Mane Character contain several key nutrients that are helpful for hair strength including iron, zinc, essential fatty acids, Vitamin A, C, E, B6, B12, folic acid, protein, and magnesium. They also contain ancient herbs like amla and horsetail which have been shown to help ease hair loss and boost hair growth This tasty formula is easy to add to a morning smoothie, juice, or a cup of tea.
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Avoid chemical-laden hair products
Harsh chemicals and cleaning agents can strip natural oils from our hair and scalp. This can lead to excessive drying of the hair and eventually severe damage to our precious strands. It is important to avoid hair care products containing: parabens, phthalates, dimethicone, silicones, formaldehyde, sulfites, and synthetic fragrances in order to protect our hair’s hydration and luster.
Beyond our hair health, we should also be mindful of taking hot showers using many kinds of chemicals in our soap and hair products. These chemicals can easily seep into our skin–the body’s largest organ–and can increase our exposure to toxins which contribute to unhealthy looking hair.
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Give yourself five minute scalp massages
Research suggests that regular scalp massages can actually improve hair thickness overtime. Scalp massage can promote blood flow and circulation to the head and support the delivery of nutrients to the hair follicles. Massage also encourages the stretching of your hair follicle cells which can cause them to produce thicker strands. Head massages can also help ease tension and promote relaxation. Treat yourself or a loved one to 5-10 minutes of a scalp massage daily–you will not regret it!
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Try oiling your hair once a week
Hair oiling has been common practice in India and other parts of the world for thousands of years. It is said to prevent premature hair loss, graying and bring about additional shine and volume. Recent research has shown the potential for hair oiling to help protect against UV damage, improve moisture, and help nourish hair strands.
The type of oil to use for hair oiling depends on your personal preference and your general hair type. Thinner hair tends to soak in oil more easily so you may want to opt for a lighter hair oil like argan or jojoba. For thicker hair, try fractionated coconut or sesame oil. We recommend applying oil at night and leaving it in your hair overnight for the deepest nourishment. In the morning, if you apply your shampoo on dry hair first, it will be easier to rinse out excess oil.
Conclusion
There are many factors out of our control when it comes to healthy hair. Whether it’s genetics or not being able to keep up with a regular routine, we can often feel powerless when it comes to our strands. Fortunately, these five herbalist-recommended methods can give you a head start on creating the foundation for bouncy, strong, and hydrated hair. Integrate as many of these practices into your daily hair care routine as you can and you may just get the luscious and healthy locks you have been hoping for.
