Having healthy and shiny hair is an elusive dream for many. The problem is, keeping your hair healthy isn’t always easy, especially if you use heat styling tools and hair products with potentially harmful ingredients that you’re not even aware of.
When your hair care routine seems ineffective towards achieving silky strands, it’s probably time to reconsider your hair habits. Here are the top hacks to help make your dreams of luscious and shiny locks a reality:
1. Choose The Right Hair Products
There will always be plenty of products to choose from, but keep in mind that the right one should be specific to your hair type and help address your concerns. If you have itchy hair that’s prone to dandruff, look for a shampoo with zinc pyrithione. On the other hand, shampoos for dry hair are better if you want to nourish your hair strands and keep it from looking dry. You may also consider hair products enriched with traditional herb extracts for better hair health.
When looking for products that suit your hair type and needs best, look out for ingredients that may do more harm than good for your locks. Phthalates, parabens, and sulfates, for example, are common shampoo ingredients that have raised concerns in the past years. Numerous studies indicate that long-term use of these ingredients may cause health issues ranging from irritation and dryness to hormonal imbalance and even cancer.
While the true usefulness of these ingredients is still widely contested, it’s best to avoid them altogether especially for products that you intend to use long-term.
2. Nourish From Within
Good nutrition is the foundation for healthy hair. Because just like your body, achieving lustrous and vibrant hair begins with internal nourishment. Therefore, make it a point to eat foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins for shinier and healthier hair strands.
Add nourishing fats to your diet such as eggs, coconut oil, olive oil, and avocados. Adequate intake of fluids, proteins, and minerals such as B12 and iron is helpful in healthier hair growth that’s stronger against damage. This means if you eat healthily enough, you’re less likely to have dull and damaged hair.
3. Reduce Or Avoid The Use Of Heat-Styling Tools
Excessive heat styling can damage your hair and make it look dry and frizzy. Heat depletes moisture from your hair, which can result in the loss of its lustrous appearance. If you regularly use heat styling tools, your hair is bound to become fragile and prone to breakage. Thus, minimize the use of blow dryers, flat irons, and curling wands. If you must use them, apply a generous amount of heat protectant spray beforehand and do not go over 200°C - the temperature where hair strands start to melt.
4. Don’t Overwash Your Hair
Washing your hair too often can strip off its natural oils, leaving it dehydrated, brittle, and prone to breakage. So, instead of washing every day, do intervals of 2-3 days. This allows your scalp’s natural oils to nourish and protect your strands long enough, promoting healthier and shinier hair.
If your hair becomes oily between washes, use dry shampoo to refresh your look. If you use a conditioner, avoid applying it near the roots as this can make your scalp oilier faster than normal.
5. Trim Your Hair Regularly
Cutting even just the ends is probably the last thing on your mind if you’re trying to grow your hair longer. But a regular trim can be beneficial. It eliminates split ends to keep them from causing further breakage and keeps your hair looking healthier.
If your hair is prone to split ends and you wait too long before trimming, your locks will start to look dry and lackluster. So, schedule regular trims every six to eight weeks to remove damaged ends and promote healthy hair growth. This will also keep your hair from looking frizzy and unkempt.
6. Use The Right Comb
Your choice of comb matters when it comes to hair health. When choosing a brush, opt for a wide-tooth comb with rounded bristles. This brush helps prevent unnecessary hair breakage and minimizes damage to the hair shaft.
You must also remember that hair is weaker when wet and is therefore more prone to breakage. So, when brushing wet hair, opt for a wide-tooth comb and carefully untangle your hair beginning on the ends. Then work your way up to prevent unnecessary hair loss, which often happens when you untangle wet hair from the top. Avoid hairbrushes with tightly packed bristles or combs with sharp teeth, as using them on tangled wet hair often leads to tugging and pulling, which can result to split ends and hair breakage.
On the other hand, when combing dry hair, using a boar bristle brush helps enhance shine as it evenly spreads the natural oils from your scalp to the tips of your strands. Be gentle and patient when combing your hair, especially with knots or tangles, to reduce hair stress and breakage.
Wrap Up
With these six hacks, you can help nourish and transform your hair to make it healthier and shinier. Remember, patience and consistency are key to achieving the desired results. Turn these tips into habits, and soon you’ll be well on your way to flaunting the results: beautiful, lustrous hair.
