It’s common knowledge that hair cells grow the quickest in human bodies, which means that if your lifestyle and what you eat and drink aren’t the healthiest, your hair won’t be either. Dry, lackluster, and brittle hair is easy to notice when it’s in bad condition, but the good news is that there are many simple ways to reverse the damage and nurse your hair back to health. Follow these great hair hacks to get your hair looking strong and shimmering in no time at all.
Try including more healthy fats in your diet
There is a lot of truth to the idea that you can eat your way thicker, fuller hair. Just look to healthy fats, which come from foods like oily fish, nuts, seeds, avocados, and coconuts. These foods help to provide strength and sheen to hair that is starting to appear weak. Increase your intake of fatty acids and you’ll notice the difference in your health overall, not just your hair. Protein from beans, lean meats, dairy products, and tofu also help to keep hair strong.
Harness the power of coconut oil
When used as a hair mask, coconut oil provides a ton of benefits and nutrition to your hair. Especially if you have a dry or flaky scalp, coconut oil is one of the best natural first aid kits you can use for your hair. Rub a tablespoon of coconut oil into the scalp and massage into the hair lengths, then place a protective cap (like a swimming cap or shower cap) over your hair and leave it in overnight. Wash and condition your hair as usual in the morning and you’ll immediately have softer and smoother hair.
Don’t forget routine hair trims
It might be tempting to think that you’ll never have to cut your hair if you’d like to grow it long, but trimming helps to prevent split ends that can hinder growth. If your hair is especially damaged and your hair stylist needs to cut off a lot, you might need to totally switch up your look and go for a new women’s haircut instead before you even think about growing your hair out. Then make sure you’re getting a trim every three months in order to keep your locks in great condition, even if you want to grow your hair.
Go easy on the hair styling tools and products
Using things like hairspray, wax, blow-dryers, straighteners, etc. are all fine in moderation, but constant and extreme use will leave your hair dryer and more brittle, as well as strip away natural oils that help to moisturize our scalp. Always use a heat protectant spray before using blow-dryers, straighteners, and curlers, and ease up on the use of products that are full of chemicals and sulfates. Aim for shampoos and styling products that use natural ingredients that are healthier for your hair.
Check how much you’re washing your hair
There are many people out there who believe that you shouldn’t wash your hair every day, but this can really depend on your hair type! Those already with dry hair should wash their hair about 1-2 times a week, whereas those with oily hair can wash their hair every day. It all depends on how quickly your hair’s natural oils are regenerated after washing and even how often you’re using styling products, as these can make hair greasier after several hours.
Be careful when brushing your hair
It’s good to remove knots by brushing hair every day, but be gentle when doing this on wet hair. Hair is much more brittle when wet, so it’s best to use a wide-tooth comb so that you don’t damage any hair strands. Also, brush from the middle down and not from the roots so that you aren’t pulling on the ends.
